Reflections on WPPI 2013 - SF Bay Area Portrait Photographer

Last week I attended one of the largest and well-known wedding and portrait photography conventions.  Every year, thousands and thousands of photographers fly in to Las Vegas from all over the world to learn from some of the biggest names in the industry.  WPPI is a conference devoted to educating, empowering, and supporting photographers in every aspect of their businesses.  The conference takes place over the course of a week and includes classes, workshops, a massive trade show, print competition and judging, parties, networking opportunities, and so much more.  It is impossible to do it all, but with this being my third year of attending, I knew specific speakers I wanted to hear, vendors I wanted to visit with and products I wanted to learn more about and physically get my hands while at the trade show. Overall, it was a great week and I came home with a few new ideas for my portrait business.  I discovered new products that I believe my clients will be excited about.  I met up with old friends.  I made some new friends.  I had really thought-provoking conversations with various people.  I spent a lot of time studying and viewing images that were submitted for print competition, and set a goal for myself to "submit to print comp within the next five years."

Last year I brought my entire camera bag and every single lens, battery, memory card, reflector and flash that I own.  Guess how many times I opened the bag?  Zero.  This year, I decided to ditch the camera bag and instead brought an entire bag of impractical-yet-totally-cute-shoes-that-I-never-get-to-wear!  Best decision ever!  The box of blister band-aids that I had purchased ahead of time were the second best decision ever!  HA

Here are some highlights from the week.  All photos taken with iPhone.