It finally happened. After 5 years, I can finally say I got to attend WPPI. This photography conference is held annually in Las Vegas and it the largest gathering of photographers from all over the world. Packed with classes, a MASSIVE expo, breakout sessions and shoots, WPPI is one of the most sought after conferences to attend. For the past few years, WPPI has immediately followed one of my most favorite conferences UNITED, and as a mother of two little ones, it was hard to justify being away for over 2 weeks. This past year these two conferences are separated by MONTHS and the stars finally aligned for me to be able to go.

I knew I wasn’t so much going for the expo, the classes, the shoots: I was going to GO! Is that awful to say?! I hope not, because its the truth. I have made some amazing photographer friends over the years that were going and I have missed them dearly since the last time we say each other in February 2014 for United. I saw that a few girls were still looking for roommates so I said, “HERE GOES!” I roomed with my new friend Megan and got my love Brooke to come. My friend Julie, a brilliant designer was out of a room and she joined us as well. A room packed of brilliant, gorgeous and talented women. We were ready to take on Vegas and make some unforgettable memories. Megan and Julie signed up for the platform classes so were gone most of the day getting their “learn” on and Brooke and I expo/shoot hopped. From group dinners to destination shoots in the dessert our days were filled with new experiences, new friendships, networking, and more. It would be ignorant to say nothing was learned from that…because as a hands on learner, I learned more by being a FLOATER at WPPI than actually being a registered attendee.

If you are on the fence of whether to attend WPPI, here are 3 reasons why you need to LEAP OVER that fence and attend:

• Friendships/Networking- If you do not attend ONE class, one minute of the EXPO or one shoot while at WPPI, do not think of your time ill wasted. Think of your time ill wasted ONLY if you go to WPPI and make no effort to meet or speak with someone new. Find your idol, say hello. Find someone with a speaker badge on, introduce yourself. Find ONE person and make yourself known. Form connections. Genuinely put yourself out there. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so don’t blow your chance to make the most out of your experience. Most photographers are VERY kind people and have been in your shoes before. No fear! Just remember, the friendships/networking circles you make here JUST may save you when you are in a jam one day and need a second shooter or some advice. Plus, new friends are always a bonus!

• Rut Shaker, Fire Starter and Portfolio Builder- WPPI is strategically scheduled to be in most photographers “dead season”. The month of February and early March prove to be a less busy time for full time photographers and enthusiast due to inclement weather and enthusiast being able to take time off of their full time jobs . It is also scheduled around the time MOST of us are in a rut. We feel run down from a busy season and are ITCHING to get back to shooting and back into the world of all things photography and all things BUSY! WPPI will kick you HARD right out of that rut and leave your head spinning with things to do, things to edit and art to create. (And thats just while you are there!!! Once you get home, you are just overflowing with ideas that you can NOT WAIT to put into action in the upcoming busy season!) While you are out there, TRY to at least sign up for or attend ONE shoot put on by an idol or favorite of yours and SHOOT YOUR HEART OUT at that shoot. Take risks, learn something new, and LET your creative side take over. This is your time to allow yourself to get artsy and create some magic. Come home with TONS of pretty images to edit and even some behind the scenes…share them, blog them, and share your experiences with others. TRUST ME, ITS WORTH IT!

• Game Changer, Business Promotion, Bragging Rights- Being a photographer is privilege, not a right in my book. YOU HAVE to work for it, be humbled by all it gives back to you, and let is take over a huge portion of your heart and soul. Coming to WPPI, whether its shoots, classes, or the expo….its all a game changer. It changes the game in what you expect and what others expect of YOU! If you play the same game by the same rules you can expect a lot of the SAME in life. LIFE IS WAY TO SHORT FOR “THE SAME” THINGS. When you meet new people and are excited about them, their art, etc, pass out a business card or flyer (if you are stuck, go online and search for flyer templates to find the best one for your business) and connect on social media. Its not shameless business promotion, that’s SMART NETWORKING. Now, when you find a company and the expo you are thinking about adding to your products, workflow, etc, ABSOLUTELY market yourself. Tell them who you are, why you love them and what you think YOU as a person and business can bring to THEIR business. Business promotion is there for you to use to the highest point! If you are a design company, show off those designs, explain about how you make them, your process, your drive, and determination, if you meet people who are in the same vein of business as you from all over, talk to them about your equipment, what you find best, e.g. “I go on vinylcuttingmachineguide to find the right equipment for some of my personal designs”, be open and show them you want to listen. People are a lot likely to remember who you are if you are less focused on yourself and more focused on them! And lets be real here, when you go to a conference…a game changer…like WPPI….YOU SURE AS HECK GET TO BRAG! You get to up your prices, change around business models, switch out products, spruce up ideas….WPPI is a starting point and a foundation for a lot positive impacts on your business. Brag to your clients telling them how elite of an experience you had at the #1 photography conference. Brag to your family and friends who vicariously are living through your amazing life. Brag to strangers, because you NEVER KNOW, they could be your next client!

In short….what are you waiting for?!!? WPPI 2016 will be here before you know it and I certainly hope I will get to meet at least ONE of you reading this…there next year! Below, find some images of the BEHIND THE SCENES at WPPI 2015! Enjoy!

First, behind the scenes from my trusty cell phone from the trip….if you get through these, there are much better ones to follow! hehe

These following images were taken by my buddy Bud Johnson. I think I borrowed EVERYONES winter coat on this trip. I packed for the desert in the summer, and it was more like EVERST. BRRRR!

The next series of images are my captures of behind the scenes, I made some great friends and had some amazing experiences!