I’m back from the WPPI convention (the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference) and super excited to use some of my new knowledge to create a better experience for my clients. Now you might be asking what WPPI is, it’s an annual convention in Las Vegas where photographers get together to learn, network, get inspired, and try out the latest gear.

As photographers we’re often observers of other people's lives and with that comes a responsibility that most people don’t think about. It doesn’t matter if we photograph weddings, babies, business people, pets or companies. What matters is that we are creating visual histories for these people and companies. We’re capturing their legacies, the things that will get looked back on by future generations to see where they came from. We are creating images that craft a message, that often sets trends and inspires people to new heights. 

As professionals, we always want to improve our skills and are chasing the perfect capture! We get inspired by people who are better and learn by sharing the knowledge we’ve picked up throughout our careers by helping those who are just starting.

I’ve been attending WPPI since 2011 and although I don’t make it every year, the years I do, I always learn something new and catch up with photographers I’ve become friends with from all over the world.

This year I focused on classes that I felt would give me tips to improve my images and business practices and I have to say I was not disappointed. I’ve gained at least 1 or 2 tips to improve my workflow, tweaks to create stronger more impactful images and reminders as to why I became a photographer in the first place and those that I serve.

This year I found the trade show floor a playground of equipment! I enjoyed playing with some new equipment, learning about tools of the trade that could benefit my work and simplify things for my clients and seeing what might become part of my camera bag soon. I took advantage of a portfolio review with a top portrait photographer and was given both praise for my work and ranked among my peers,  I was given a tip or 2 to help create even stronger images.

Enjoy some of the images I had so much fun creating both on the Vegas Strip and on the trade show floor.