Viva!
MGM Grand – The venue for WPPI
WPPI: A review
Last week I flew out to the Las Vegas to attend WPPI, a photography conference and trade show which was held at the MGM Convention center. There were speakers from all over the world sharing their experiences and knowledge on pretty much everything to do with the photography industry from technique, lighting, posing, marketing, SEO, workflow, branding and much more…
A few people asked me why I flew out all the way from Merry Olde England to go to Las Vegas for WPPI. So I thought I’d share it with you all..
1. To learn from the best. A lot of the best portrait and wedding photographers & teachers attend WPPI and I was able to listen and meet some of the best in the industry and that is essential to my growth as a photographer.
2. To network with my peers. I was able to meet a lot of photographers face to face, whom I was so only ever able speak to over forums such as The B School, The Ice Society and The Showit Group on facebook.
3. To meet vendors. This was a great way for me to find out about new resources/changes in the industry and technology directly from the vendors.
4. To go to Vegas (like that wasn’t a selling points in itself!) Ha!
5. For the experience. I feel like the last week was one of the best experiences ever. I learnt so much and now feel so much clearer in my goals both personally and for my business.
Highlights
The B School party. I was able to meet so many people that I regularly speak to and get feedback from within the forums. Thanks Becker for organising a fun night!
Hearing Jerry Ghionis. I learn so much from him each time he speaks and learn a lot from The Ice Society, a great resource for photographers. He also showcased his images from his wedding, some of which he shot himself. You can check them out here.
Other great speakers I heard were Jerry Avenaim, Jim Garner, Zach and Jody Gray, Cliff Mautner and Art Suwansang.
Photographers Ignite Hearing so many speakers in one room speak for 5 minutes each was very interesting and fun! I definitely recommend checking out the replay of this when its live. I also created a list of all the photographers from ignite on twitter. You can follow it here
I think next year I’ll go to some more classes where I can shoot, it was awesome to shoot in London with Beckstead at SWPP in January. Shooting in the desert in Vegas is one thing I still need to cross off my list!
Here are some more images from the week …
Becker also organised to take some head shots for members of the B School and any one else who wanted to go. I jumped at the chance! You can check out everyone’s head shots here. Thanks B for the awesome headshot!
I decided to organise a shoot out in Vegas and tweeted if anyone wanted to meet up. Several photographers replied and altogether there were 7 or so of us. After some complications with the models, Raven Mathis and Lacy Lange kindly allowed the group to shoot them before they went to a 50′s party they were going to that night. Thank you so much guys! We all had a blast.
Here are a few of the images..
Raven
Lacy
We then headed outside on the Vegas strip and was able to take this of Raven
Here are a few images I took while walking around on the last day of WPPI. I tried out a few different things and experimented a bit more.. I hope you like ;)
I can’t wait for next years WPPI .. I’ll definitely be there!
All the best,
Sachin
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Anna Kim - Aloha! It was great meeting you at Zach & Jody’s workshop! If you ever do make it to Hawaii–let me know! Cheers!
Heather - Looks like you stretched a bit more here! Wonderful!
Susan Roderick - Great work Sachin! You mean you made it all the way to Vegas and you didn’t come visit us? No trip to Seattle for Bambi Cantrell? Did you see anyone from creativeLIVE at WPPI this year? Jasmine Star, of course? If you make it to WPPI next year, I hope you make a slight detour either there or back!
Suzie Bell - I live vicariously through you and your posts. Love that you can just go when you want. Awesome post and awesome shots. I love the one of your reflection in 4 panes.
Luis Toledo - That’s great Sachin, I wish I’d taken more photos at WPPI, but honestly, I didn’t get out much :) I love your street shots from the strip.
Louisa Coulthurst - Looks like you had loads of fun!
Rachael Muller - looks like a great trip!
Nessa K - I really hope I get to make it to WPPI next year – you got some amazing shots from your trip!
Brian Kraft - Cool man. Looks like a great experience. One of these days I’ll have to go.
John Stickel - Thanks for sharing some of your experiences and images from WPPI. I had a wonderful time there also and love reading about what other people took away from the week.
Johanna Hietanen - Really want to visit Vegas one day! Nice images :)
Keao - I hope to go to WPPI next year. I already told my hubby to put it on the calendar.
zUdio - Ugh this just makes me jealous I didn’t get to go! haha
maryana - Great overview! thanks for posting! interesting read! hope I can make it to WPPI next year!
Alicia Adamopoulos - Looks like you had a great time in Vegas. I’m a little bit jealous!
Lyn Ismael-Bennett - Glad you had fun. The model shots turned out great!
adam houseman - Wow… Looks like you had an awesome time. So wish we could have gone this year!
Raven - Thanks again for taking some photos of us all dolled up! It’s not every day I get to throw on some vintage attire!
The images look great and it was so fun to hang out.
Can’t wait to see you again next year! I have a model who would love to do the shoot next year, and Jami and I are talking about planning something, we will for sure keep you in the loop. :)
Neil Patel - hey sachin! ths are cool images, like reflection images…good suff. sent email while at WPPI..
Adore Amore - Loved experiencing WPPI through your eyes. It was an exciting experience for sure.
[ b ] - good times bro!
Stephanie Miller - Looks like you had an even better time than I did! You got some really fun shots! Next year I’ll be back too… with my gear!
Denise - Great meeting you! Great images on the blog!! The one of the MGM rocks!!
See you in 2012!!!
Isaiah - Dope work man. I was also at WPPI. Loved it. I saw you from a distance but never spoke. Won’t make that mistake again.
P.S. Jasmine Star and Creative live made you famous.. lol
@ihaynes05
Jess - great recap, Sachin! and loved all of the pictures, as well :) thanks so much for sharing and look forward to seeing you again soon!