Tomorrow morning I leave for WPPI in Las Vegas. WPPI is like “spring break for photographers” – a HUGE photography convention for wedding and portrait photographers. In 2008 I had to cancel going last minute do to illness after traveling abroad, and in 2009 we got married so this is the first time in a few years I’ll be going. I’m super excited to connect with friends that I haven’t seen in a long time!
Since we just got back from out of the country, and I JUST decided to go last-minute, it’s taken some research to piece together my schedule, which is falling into place quickly.
Here is where I will likely be. Follow on twitter and/or whrrl for the most up to date info.
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Day One: Sunday, March 7th
12:30pm – Arrive in Vegas. Rush to MGM Signature to hit up Pictagerazzi Meeting – get armed with Eye-Fi device. Yes, I’m one of SIX photographers that will be covering WPPI’s classes, the tradeshow, galas, gatherings and parties with instantly-transmitted-and-tracked pictures! Yikes – no pressure there 
So if you see me with my camera and want to instantly be beamed into cyber-space we can make that happen! PLUS Pictage is uploading them to their servers right away so you can order a copy for free!
5:45-6:15pm: Canon Keynote
7:30-9:30pm: Canon Opening Reception (Food, drinks, dancing & entertainment)
8:00-9:00pm: Pictage VIP Reception Invite Only
9pm – ?: GO|BEE Party – Invite only Location Mandalay Bay
9:30pm – ? : Airhorns & Lasers Party – Secret Location
Day Two: Monday, March 8th
AM: Photograph Famous NYC photographers Andy and Brian Marcus for my 100 Portraits in 100 Days Project! Go see Brian speak with John Solano at 3:30 on Tuesday!
11:30-12Noon – Speak at ShootQ Booth
8-10pm – WPPI Pool Party – Poolside at MGM – Music, dancing, hor dourves, and cash bar
Day Three: Tuesday, March 9th
AM: Photograph SEO Expert Wade Holloway for my 100 Portraits in 100 Days Project
2:50 – 3:20PM – Speak at ShootQ Booth
8:00-11pm – Pictage Party with KISS and ShootQ – Studio 54
9:00-11pm – Mike Colon Thirst Relief Cause Marketing
10pm – 1am – B Party at Border Grill at Mandalay Bay
Day Four: Wednesday, March 10th
8-9:30am: UNITE at MGM Signature Conference Rooms A & B
10-11am: Tradeshow Floor
After Lunch – Flight home to ATL
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I would LOVE to do a few more portrait sessions for my 100 Project while in Vegas – I already have Portraits #1-4 lined up but if you order any of the other Portrait days that are available, I’ll wave the date-change-fee so we can shoot on Sun, Mon, or Tues! Just check out the schedule here, order the portrait online, and let me know when you want to shoot and were you’d like to meet – we can make it happen.
And since I use Photobucket, I conveniently have access to some point-and-shoot pics from WPPI years past. Warning – poor quality snaps ahead. I think some were even from phone-cameras. This will be the first year I bring a “real” camera.
Roomie Jazzy. It’s pretty standard for 3 or 4 or us gals to pile into one room together. No one gets much sleep anyways. I think we were in the elevator here attempting to go to the pool (it was later – late March or April back in 2006)
Somehow DJ, Shy and I made it to FAO Schwartz one night to play with the bears and BIG piano
Lunch with Regis and friends is never a bore, even a quick lunch
Jeff Kent did a write-up about me, Jess, and DJ right before this (PPA Mag) so it was great to finally meet him in person!
Dinner with Andy and Brian Marcus, Jonn Solano, Jess and others
Me with my Brittney-Spears mic. The only year I actually planned to go in advance (vs last minute) and actually made it was 2007 when I did a platform (not pictured). To this day it was still one of my favorite speaking audiences.
Two years in a row Shy, Jazzy, and I helped Mike with his shoot-off. The first year they gave him this Awful rainbow background, so we moved him off stage onto the floor and made a “first dance” scene instead.
Don’t ask. Well, to clarify, Mike is doing that to his wife Julie. Silly people. Love it.
He won!
More dinners. One night I had three dinners in a row – WOW I was full! Even after eating salad and picking at my food for two of them!
I know I probably have a LOT more pictures but that involves me plugging in old hard drives and I need to go PACK!
See you in Vegas! And remember…
Just kidding! It should be “What Happens in Vegas shows up ALL over the net – especially when 10,000+ photographers are involved!”
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