WPPI Tips, Tricks, and of course Styled Shoots

It seems like just yesterday I was attending my first WPPI in 2008.   I was so excited to hear from some amazing speakers and delve into a wealth of new knowledge.

I was going to WPPI by myself and would for 3 years before Josh joined me for the first time.  If you know me, I am not an outgoing extrovert, in fact I get very anxious and shy around people I don’t know.  I’m not one who strikes up conversations. (although over the years it has gotten MUCH easier)  The thing is, WPPI kind of forces you step outside your comfort zone and do things you might not normally do.  (keep a clean mind people)

This is now my 9th year going and EVERY year I walk away with something new… be it ways to enhance my skills, tips to improve my business, or amazing new friends.   I value everything I gain from the experience and no two people will take away the same experience.

If you have never been, be prepared.  You WILL BE overwhelmed… first of all it is Las Vegas, a city that truly never sleeps and it can seduce you with its glowing neon lights, happy slot machine sounds, and the dream of a big win…  (I always drop a few bucks here or there just in case) but on top of all that, you are going to have information delivered to you every few hours that will excite you, ignite your passion, and make your head spin.  You will walk the tradeshow floor, wishing you had an endless bank account, feeling elation when you purchase great deals, or jealousy when you can’t.  ( jealousy is ok in small doses, it can be healthy and drive you to work harder for the next year)  { I am not a doctor, so i cannot endorse that last statement} And you will meet people that will change your life… forever.

Here are some helpful tips for those of you attending:

~Grab some bottled water at Walgreens or CVS on the strip, keep drinking, keep hydrated… it is DRY in Vegas (some of you might be hungover too) and you don’t want to go broke buying hotel bottled water… unless you’re gambling, then they give you free small bottles of water. (if you can pass on the free cocktails)  lol
~Have purell or hand sanitizer with you at ALL times, there is a lot of people touching a lot of things.. and you WILL get sick if you don’t take care of yourself… That said, some airbourne or emergen-c wouldn’t hurt either.
~Bring a TON of business cards, they do drawings in the classes for giveaways and they are good to handout to all the new friends you will be making… It’s called NETWORKING people!
~Plan out your day and make sure you get to your classes on time or they might fill up.  Have a backup class chosen if you don’t get in, or change your mind, or… if you just are not feeling the class you are in… it happens to all of us.
~Dress for comfort during the day (flats, a sweater, hoodie, or cardigan) it can get chilly in the classrooms.  Dress to impress at night.  It is Vegas after all!!!
~While your stocking up on bottled water, some hotel rooms have mini kitchens… if yours does grab some fruit, a box of cereal, trail mix, whatever… having snacks handy during the day will save you MONEY.
~If you HAVE to have your Starbucks fix… get ready to stand in line, you are NOT alone.
~You don’t need to carry your camera to classes, (unless its a hands on)  you will just get a sore neck from lugging it around… if you take it to the tradeshow they will put a nifty colorful zip tie on it, so they know you didn’t steal it.
~Speaking of tradeshow, you do not have to take every flyer you get handed… you will end up with 20lbs of “stuff” and with airline’s fees nowadays you don’t want to be even close to the weight limit.  If you do take everything you get, go through it before you leave… trust me you don’t need ALL of it… make a gameplan of what you are shopping for, which booths you HAVE to go to, and where they are.
~Try to get out and SHOOT.  Hey you could always attend one of my styled shoots, shameless plug for my shoots in, 3, 2, 1…

Http://aliceinwonderland.emmaandjosh.com
An AMAZING wedding styled shoot with a romantic and whimsical subtle Alice in Wonderland theming!  We have done these shoots for the last 6 years and they always sell out.
Professional models, Hair/Mua, amazing vendors ( cake, floral, etc) and of course DETAILS and transportation is included!