Another year, another WPPI! If you’re a photographer, you’ve got to experience WPPI at least once. WPPI stands for Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (I admittedly had to google that) and it’s everything that you want it to be. Are you looking for amazing educators to help you grow your business? Are you trying to meet and learn from the industry’s leading photographers? Are you looking to meet new folks and spend time with your best friends? You can find all of this and more at WPPI.

This year was no exception, and it was an absolute blast. This year I had two goals in mind: spend time with some of my best friends, and get to know some amazing brands that I either use, or want to use in my business. Spending time with best friends was the easy part. I’m thankful to have some incredible friends in the industry, and as hectic as Las Vegas can be, we all try our hardest to make time for each other. We usually at least catch up for meals, or try support each other when we speak in classes or in the expo. I still missed a few folks this year, sometimes the schedules are just too tight 🙁

Getting to know brands can be the tricky part. Everyone’s vying for everyone’s time, so if you want to get to know an amazing new album company, or get your hands on the newest gear from the hottest camera brand, you’ve got to act fast, and network HARD. But thankfully everyone’s trying to help everyone else (something about a rising tide raises all boats or something, lol) and I also happen to have the coolest friends, and we’re all helping each other expand and perfect our photography and businesses.

Speaking of that – one of my best friends, Jay Cassario led a workshop and photo walk for Leica Camera this year so I tagged along to grab some behind the scenes photos for him. Jay’s been a huge inspiration for me, as a businessman and photographer, plus he always begs me to hang out with him, so I spent some time with the guy just to appease him. (for anyone not aware, we’re both pretty sarcastic, and when we’re together the wit can get pretty sharp. We apologize in advance.) If you want to see Jay’s write up about the blog – you should definitely check it out here! 

This photowalk was especially special to me, not just because I got to hang out with Jay and support him, OR hangout with the coolest camera brand in existence – Leica Camera. But I also got to meet and spend time with my buddy Jason Vinson – who I hadn’t met in person, but got to know really well on this trip! He’s a phenominal photographer killing it in Arkansas. Check out his work here! I also got to meet Mark Condon (and his lovely wife, Elissa!), he’s the photographer behind Gold Hat Photography AND the owner/operator of ShotKit! (I’ve been follwing ShotKit for years – check this guy out ASAP if you haven’t already!)

All in all – I had another great WPPI, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s. If you’re a photographer, consider adding WPPI to your list of conferences to attend – and let me know so we can catch up in 2019!

If you’re NOT a photographer and you’re a client of mine – rest assured that another year has passed, another WPPI has come and gone, and I’m even more inspired and motivated to bring you an amazing photographic experience for your wedding or portrait session!

Contact me here if you want to talk more about that wedding 😉