I have to admit that this week coming up has to be my favorite week of the year. It is the week of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). WPPI is is the largest photographer’s conference & tradeshow in the world for wedding and portrait photographers. It is always held in Las Vegas and it is more fun, information, and inspiration than you can handle all packed into a few days.
This will the 9th time I attended WPPI and this will be my first time being an actual WPPI Presenter. Every year at WPPI things things change a little for me. The first year I remember not knowing anyone, walking into a huge room and watching photographers that I now call friends, present and talk about their work. I remember just soaking in every bit of information or knowledge I could get my hands on. Looking at all the classes and speakers and thinking what should I see? Then walking into the tradeshow wide eyed and wondering where to start. The one word I can say always seems to fit WPPI no matter what is overwhelming.
Now in my 9th year of attending the show things have changed a little. This year I will be teaching a Master Class on Aperture 3, Speaking on the tradeshow floor 7 different times, supporting other incredible speakers and friends at their talks, and hosting our 4th annual party on Sunday night. It is probably the most packed schedule I have ever had at WPPI. It is a really exciting year.
So, tomorrow, yes thursday, I head out. This is also the first year that I will be driving to WPPI. I am pretty much a sissy when it comes to driving vs. flying and I will spare you the reasons. However, we have a booth and a lot of stuff that needs to get there this year so I really had to do it. However, my GO|BEE business partner and one of my best friends, Lauren Hillary, and I plan to make it a really fun road trip.
My trip begins with a stop at my friend, Becker’s place in the OC. I will be on thebschool.com for study hall Thursday, at 4pm so join us online for that. Then I head to Lauren’s to pack the car and get everything ready and Friday we begin the road trip to Vegas baby! I am not sure why I always feel the need to say baby after Vegas but I do.
After talking to a lot of first time WPPI attendees who are already feeling overwhelmed by the options I wanted to give you a peek not only at my schedule but also the talks that I would highly recommend you not miss. Here is your WPPI cheat sheet including all the places you can find me. If you see me at WPPI and we have never met, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE say hello. One of my favorite things is to meet and connect with new people. That is why I am going to be all over the tradeshow floor. I would also love it if you stopped by and said hi to Lauren and I at the GO|BEE booth and checked out our product. We are so excited to have a booth and to have our product.This is only our second year having a booth and we are really hoping that we get to see a ton of new faces there.
My WPPI cheat sheet & schedule:
Sunday March 7th:
* 9pm-1am GO|BEE Party
Monday March 8th:
* 8am-10am David Beckstead Master Class RM 203 – David is such a great teacher, try to make this if you are not too hung over from the GO|BEE Party. This is a Master Class so seats are very limited and cost a little extra so make sure you sign up ahead of time if there is still room available
* 10am-3:30pm Trade Show Begins
* 10am GO|BEE Booth (Booth 1264)
* 11:30am Shoot Dot Edit Booth (Booth 1274)
* 12:30pm Couture Book Presentation (Booth 1378)
* 2pm Leather Craftsman Booth (Booth 1428)
* 3:30pm – 5:30pm Jared Bauman’s talk RM 306 – “Your Business: On Auto Pilot for a Six-figure Income”
* 6:30pm-8:30pm Jasmine Star’s talk RM 319 – “Ghetto Fabulous Marketing”
* 9pm-11pm Mike Colon & Jim Davis Hicks RM 319 – “The Marriage of Profit and Purpose”
Tuesday March 9th:
* 8am-11am My Master Class “Aperture Intensive” RM 202– Master Classes are limited to 35 attendees and you have to pay an extra $50 for them so make sure and sign up ahead of time and see if there is still room. I would love to have you there!!!! We have a TON of great information that is going to go out!
* 11:30am Speak at ShootQ Booth (Booth 1241)
* 1pm-3:30pm GO|BEE Booth (Booth 1264)
* 2pm Couture Book Presentation (Booth 1378)
* 3:30pm-5:30pm Catherine Hall/ Justin & Mary Marantz/ Dane Sanders/ Elizabeth Messina – Okay I have no idea which of these I am going to because they all look amazing but go to one of these for sure!!!!!
* 6:30pm-8:30pm Andy & Angie Wood RM 306 – “10 Steps to an Amazing Web Presence”
* 8pm-1am Pictage Party at Studio 54
* 10pm-1am Becker’s Party
Wednesday March 10th:
* 8am-10am Jose Villa Master Class RM 203- Master Classes are limited to 35 attendees and you have to pay an extra $50 for them so make sure and sign up ahead of time and see if there is still room.
* 12pm-3pm GO|BEE Booth (Booth 1264)
* 2:30pm-4:30pm Amber Holtitz RM 318 – “Lifestyle Baby Photography”
* 3pm-4pm Showit Web Presentation by Stephen Knuth
* 7pm – 10pm Awards Reception
Thursday March 11th:
* 9am-11am Kevin Kubota Ignite Presentations featuring my friend Gustavo
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