You may have heard there’s a little photography convention in Vegas every year. Over ten thousand photographers (mostly of the wedding and portrait variety) gather along with every possible associated vendor for the annual WPPI convention. Just the scale alone of the event is impressive. If you want some new inspiration or to further your understanding of the industry and it’s latest trends, WPPI is where you want to be. This was my second year attending the conference and I thought I’d share my personal take on the event. Previously held in … [Read more...] about My WPPI 2017 Experience
WPPI
2017 WPPI Tradeshow Report First Day
This year everything is different. The show has been at the MGM Convention Center for the last six years. This year it moved to the Las Vegas Convention Center and many in the industry were nervous (or at least concerned) that the show wouldn’t be a success because of the move. Change is hard for people. But based on my first day experiences those concerns were unfounded. I personally was a little skeptical but when I saw the way the show was set up, how many booths there were, and the first day crowds I quickly got past my own … [Read more...] about 2017 WPPI Tradeshow Report First Day
Photowalk Las Vegas: 6:00pm Wednesday, Feb. 8th
Many of our Photofocus team will be in Las Vegas for the WPPI photography conference, and we'd love to get together and make pictures with you. Photowalks like this are a great time to put into practice various techniques that you don't otherwise get time to use. We won't be walking very far on this walk, but we will be shooting a lot. We're in Las Vegas, so let's practice making pictures that show off the light and excitement of the strip. We'll do long exposures and motion and see some of the iconic spots. We'll meet at the gazebo outside … [Read more...] about Photowalk Las Vegas: 6:00pm Wednesday, Feb. 8th
Attending WPPI’s Annual 16×20 Live Print, Album, and Filmmaking Judging Might Be the Best Overall Education You Ever Receive
WPPI 2017 is literally just around the corner! And with that in mind, the team at over at WPPI has issued another bust of awesome information! If you're attending be sure to reach out to the Photofocus community and say hello. Maybe we'll see you at the events listed below! Access to Constructive Insight, Critique, and Knowledge from Renowned Judges Offers Unique Learning Opportunity; Represents the True Essence of WPPI and Its Community Amidst the abundance of seminars, workshops, photo walks, and other educational programming at the … [Read more...] about Attending WPPI’s Annual 16×20 Live Print, Album, and Filmmaking Judging Might Be the Best Overall Education You Ever Receive
WPPI 2017 Keynote Speakers Announced!
Hot off the presses from the fine folks at PDN and Rangefinder, the keynote speakers for this years Wedding and Portrait Photography International Conference in Las Vegas have been released! Check out the official release below for all the juicy details and I hope to see you all there! Renowned Photographers Offer Knowledge and Inspiration During Daily Keynote Presentations at WPPI 2017 Jerry Ghionis, Sue Bryce, and Me Ra Koh Discuss Valuable Career Lessons, Building Confidence as a Photographer, and Realizing Your Dreams New York, NY – … [Read more...] about WPPI 2017 Keynote Speakers Announced!
Photography Projects – Expectation vs Reality
As anyone who's been to WPPI can tell you, it's pretty insane. Between the Classes, Expo Booths, Parties, Socials, After Parties, Dinners, and well...everything else that Las Vegas can throw at you, seeing everyone / everything you want too is next to impossible, let alone keeping your professional schedule in check! 2016 was no different, however this time, I was on a mission. I decided to start a new photo project digging back into an old one for inspiration...one of my favorites of all time, Film Noir. As I began casting for this project, a … [Read more...] about Photography Projects – Expectation vs Reality
The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast March 21, 2016
This weeks Photofocus Podcast for the Photofocus InFocus Interview Series. This show Pamela sits down with Brad Moore, former assistant to both Scott Kelby and Joe McNally we we dive into his growth and advice to other photographers trying to navigate the road of building a career. Then we tap into Chamira Young who speaks with Collages.net on how we as photographers can improve how we present ourselves online to our clients and potential clients. Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. Pamela … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show | Photofocus Podcast March 21, 2016
Photo Industry Veteran Skip Cohen Wins Recognition For A Lifetime Of Achievement
Congrats to Skip Cohen, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 WPPI Honors of Excellence Awards." Those words were a long time coming. My friend Skip has been a major force in the photography industry for his entire adult life. For more than 40 years he’s had a passion for helping people find a better life through photography. Skip will be the first guy to tell you that he is not a professional photographer. Unlike almost everyone else we feature on this site, Skip doesn’t deserve mention for his photos. He deserves mention for … [Read more...] about Photo Industry Veteran Skip Cohen Wins Recognition For A Lifetime Of Achievement
Learn to Leverage Powerful Prints at WPPI
When I started photography in high school, I spent the majority of my time in the darkroom making prints from the few negatives I shot. It took a lot of time to finally see what I'd recorded on film. When I started digital photography I the complete opposite experience. I could now see my photographs immediately, but getting prints took much longer since I had to send out for them. However, when I got those prints from the lab, the impact was powerful for both me and my clients. The pictures I remember most are always those I have handled and … [Read more...] about Learn to Leverage Powerful Prints at WPPI
Photofocus Podcast August 15, 2015 — Joe McNally and Jason Groupp
This week we catch up with two photographers who share insights into taking your skills to the next level. First, Photofocus publisher Rich Harrington sits down with Joe McNally to talk about passion, photography, and business. Then Robert Vanelli catches up with wedding photographer and director of WPPI Jason Groupp. Get the show here or get it on iTunes Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. Joe McNally Joe McNally is an internationally acclaimed photographer whose career has spanned 30 years and included assignments in over 50 … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast August 15, 2015 — Joe McNally and Jason Groupp
Five Top Reasons Why You Should Attend Photo Conferences
With Photoshop World quickly approaching and other conferences creeping up this fall, I want to plant some seeds into your head that hopefully can help you understand the benefit that these types of conferences can have; both personally and for your business. Yes, Photoshop World is a partner and they are dear friends of ours, but regardless of that relationship, I want to be very candid about the positive and priceless experience these types of conferences can have for you, regardless of your photography skill level. ---- 1. … [Read more...] about Five Top Reasons Why You Should Attend Photo Conferences
WPPI Las Vegas – 2013 – Review
UPDATE: Nielsen bailed on WPPI as I predicted they would when they bought it two years ago. They sold it and all their tradeshows to an investment company. As I indicated earlier this year, I am going to start laying it all on the line, telling it like it is and that includes discussing things like the secret life of a big photo trade show like WPPI. WPPI is a large photo show for wedding and portrait photographers. It's owned by Nielsen, a corporate giant that has no real photo industry experience that matters. It is easy to tell that when … [Read more...] about WPPI Las Vegas – 2013 – Review
Observations From WPPI
It's WPPI week here in Vegas. Since I live here now, it's no big deal for me to head over to the show. My pal Skip Cohen and I taught alongside Michele Celentano at the GoingPro bootcamp on Saturday at the same time WPPI was running their bootcamp. On Sunday, Matthew Jordan Smith and I taught a two hour class for SmugMug at the Vegas SMUG and on Monday I devoted myself to looking at the trade show and meeting with vendors, clients, sponsors and friends who in town for the event. Here are a few observations. The show is a bit smaller this year … [Read more...] about Observations From WPPI
WPPI Wrap Up
WPPI 2011 has come and gone. Most of the problems from last year (like not enough space in the conference sessions) have been solved. Organizers claim 16,000 but it felt about the same as last year - 13,000. Either way, there's no way to look at it as anything other than a success. WPPI was certainly bigger than the PPA show and from all accounts had more energy. Photographers from more than 40 countries packed the hall. The vendors I talked to were all happy with the amount and type of floor traffic they got. The conference attendees that I … [Read more...] about WPPI Wrap Up
2010 WPPI Wrap Up
If the crowds on the show floor and in the classrooms were any indication, the wedding and portrait photography market is alive and well. More than 14,000 photographers attended WPPI's annual trade show and conference in Las Vegas last week. The classrooms were overflowing with young, eager photographers who wanted to learn anything and all they could to improve their photography businesses. Some classes were so popular that WPPI had to run them twice to give everyone a chance who was interested opportunity to attend. The trade show was split … [Read more...] about 2010 WPPI Wrap Up
Nudeoir Round Two – Learning From the Models
During the 2010 WPPI conference, I helped out and hung out at a photo shoot with Carlos Baez, assisted by Jessica Lark. The shoot involved two professional models and what Carlos calls - "nudeoir." Carlos presently is one of the best photographers working with the nude form. So it's no surprise that the workshop filled up on short notice. My pals at Pictage helped make the event a reality and Photofocus was a sponsor Even though I was chipping in with advice here and there for newer students, I was learning as much as I was teaching. Carlos … [Read more...] about Nudeoir Round Two – Learning From the Models
Nudeoir Workshop in Vegas
Carlos Baez is a gifted photographer who does some significant work with nudes. He's even combined his talents for shooting nudes with weddings. But that's another story. Some of you may remember that I shot some nudes during the Pictage Partnercon conference at one of Carlos' Nudeoir workshops. Here's the link. https://photofocus.com/2009/11/04/use-your-imagination-shooting-outside-your-comfort-zone/ You can also watch a fun little video recorded at the New Orleans workshop here - Well Carlos is going to do it again. This time the location … [Read more...] about Nudeoir Workshop in Vegas
