One of my favorite parts about being a photographer is attending the conferences. It sounds like a real snoozer, but hang in there with me! Specifically, there is a conference called WPPI that is held in Las Vegas every year. Besides the fact that it’s in Vegas, it has a lot to offer. I couldn’t wait to attend with my mom/ second shooter! We packed up and headed out to enjoy this fun excuse for a girls trip!
WPPI
The conference is great! If you are a photographer, new or seasoned, you will get something out of this experience. I went for the classes and to browse the show floor, but there is so much more to offer. They truly have something for every level.
New Photographers
Make sure you enroll to attend early because you will want to make sure to cash in on any early access deals they have. A pass is usually around $200 for the conference and that includes access to the show floor. You can get one here. You’ll want to create your class itinerary before arriving since things can feel overwhelming once you get there. Also, book your photo walks weeks or even months out. They fill up fast and spots are very limited! This is a separate purchase, but well worth it.
When you have some free time between classes, check out the show floor. It usually opens a day or two into the conference, so you could even dedicate the first couple of days to classes and photo walks and then spend an entire day on the show floor. There’s lots to see here. One time they had a lens rental booth with four different scenes and models to photograph. The next year they had a whole water setup with models dancing and flipping hair in the rainfall. Like I said, you could spend a whole day here and could come out with some awesome images for your portfolio!
One last thing I think is really helpful is the website critique. You can sign up for a one-on-one with a professional to look over your website and provide feedback. This is so helpful for someone just starting out! I wish I could have had a chance to talk with someone, but I did not plan ahead as this was something that did require a reservation. Learn from my mistake!
Seasoned Photographers
The show floor is like a candy store for photographers! There are models, lens rentals and amazing deals on gear. I would like to go back just for the show. There, you could spend several hours….and lots of money if you don’t come with a budget!
This is also a great time to explore different online services. Odds are you will be getting the best deal signing up here rather than signing up on your own any other time.
And while you’re there, there are several business classes to attend. We all know there is always room for improvement!
Girls Trip!
In addition to all that the conference has to offer, we had to remember that we were in Vegas. And since it was my moms first visit, I thought it would be fitting to surprise her with a tea date! The Waldorf Hotel did not disappoint!
The whole experience was awesome and they even sat us next to the window (see that great light??). We sat there for about 2 hours sipping tea and eating scones and pointing out all the sites we could view from our seats. If you’re ever in Vegas and love tea like we do, this place is a must!
Overall, this was an awesome trip for so many reasons. Any kind of education is going to be valuable to your business. If you are on the fence about attending your first year at WPPI, just go for it! Vegas hotels are pretty inexpensive anyway and you will come away with a fun weekend at the very least. Make sure to bring a buddy if you go though. That is also part of what makes it so fun!
Thanks for reading!
Jessica
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.