When I first heard about the Wedding & Portrait Photographer International convention I thought it was a joke. I thought conventions were only for those who dressed up as Darth Vadar or Captain Kirk uniting as one for a few crazy days in Vegas! A convention for photographers? I’m NOT a NERD! Wait… maybe I am!

Soon after I started following photographers I loved on twitter and reading their blogs I started noticing one thing they all had in common… WPPI, WPPI, WPPI!!!! Parties, giveaways, workshops, networking, meeting the photographers you never dreamed of meeting. The question was no longer what photography convention but where have I been?!? Living under a rock? This was WPPI 30th anniversary! I HAD TO GO! And thanks to my “golden ticket” also known as student ID full registration was FREE! Dane Sanders, the [b] school, Jessica Claire, tons of the latest and greatest photography equipment and the photographer that I never even dreamed of meeting…Jerry Ghoinis… all together in one space inspiring ME! (and a couple other thousand photographers)

Only a few hours after arriving in Vegas was my first platform speaker; wedding photographer and my hero (I bet you’ll never guess!) Jerry Ghionis. I was surrounded by thousands but of photographers but I was on such a high that to me it was just me and Jerry. What I didn’t realize then was that I was emerging… I had sat back watching, idolizing all these photographers being successful and following the very dream that I wanted. I was tried of waiting for something to happen, being photographer doesn’t just get handed to you. It’s hard work, it’s standing out and I was read to open my mind and fill it with all the glorious inspiration and knowledge that WPPI had to offer me. Even with thousands of other photographers surrounding me, this is about ME! Doubt and intimidation was left behind me.

Back to Jerry. Jerry is earth breaking-ly creative, exciting and most of all passionate. I think one of my favorite parts of his speech was a video clip of him shooting a wedding and he is SO excited about the image that he hugs the couple sharing his excitement about the shoot. This man that I consider a photography god is actually down to earth and human. And soon after he hugged that couple was when one of my FAVORITE wedding photographs of Jerry’s and ALL TIME was created.

Everywhere he looks he sees art and photography. Many photographers say they do this, but do they actually do it? Jerry not only does in a unique way with every bride and couple that he photographs but challenges other photographers as well. He pulls ideas from movies, music and other art(s) then transforms his brides or couples into living images of them. Then his concept from those photographs are taken into his albums that not only tell a story of love but shows that couple at their most beautiful. He is a genius and constantly taking photography further. If you ever get a chance to hear Jerry.. DO IT and be ready to have your mind blown! Also get a hug from Jerry, some of his creative genius is bound to rub off on you. (swoon) He defiantly rubbed off of me.

Three days and fifty pounds of paper later I left Las Vegas. Head swimming with tons of information and most of all inspiration. I ended up cutting myself off from two speakers that I wanted to see because my mind was on overload. (And there’s always next year!) I really couldn’t take on anymore since I had a workshop with Lara Casey the very next day… oh and an interview with 2sisters photography.

I am so thankful for all the speakers; Jerry, Kevin Kubota, Jasmine Star, Dane Sanders. They are amazing for sharing their knowledge and I know that their good Karma will come back to them ten-fold! WPPI changed me as a photographer and my goal next year is to talk more with other photographers because I used my WPPI virginity as a crutch. Now to put these ideas to work instead of just on paper. Can’t wait for February 17-24, 2011

I’m not done yet! NEXT UP: MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!