WPPI Wrap Up

So I figured it is time to put a final wrap on WPPI 2008. It all started on Sunday March 16th. We started that day with the Twin Cities Bridal Association Wedding Fair. After meeting a bunch of new people and putting in a long day, I caught a 9:20 flight out to Sin City. Unfortunately Stacey wasn't able to come this year. It would have been tough with Ian. I caught a cab at about midnight and went straight to the Club Rogue party at the Palms. It was still going strong and I ran into my friends Dave and Kristen from Onsite Minnesota.

The convention was held at Bally's / Paris for the last time, as next year it is going to be moved to the MGM. My first session was with the wonderful husband/wife team of Michael + Anna Costa. Not only are they very talented but extremely nice to boot!
Later in the day, I had my one on one mentoring session with Nathan Holritz of Holritz Photography. Nathan and Amber are another husband/wife team who have built a very nice business for themselves. He had so many good suggestions and ideas. Plus his time was donated for the Thirst Relief auction. The photography community has really gotten behind this cause.
From there, I was off to the Pictage Party at Club Risque. I met a on of people. One of who was the very St. Patty's Day spirited Corey McNabb. Corey and Nathan's wife, Amber, are currently on the Rockstar Tour right now!

While a few of us were talking, my friend (and should be future publicist) Matthew Wagner, took this video while someone was checking out our new business card. It was pretty sweet!


After a long day, I was off to the Blu Party with some great photographers and friends from Minneapolis. Judd and Eliesa of Photogen Inc (with the funky cool glasses), Erin from Erin Johnson Photography, and yours truly!

I ran into Dawn Davis who along with her husband Bob, run the famous La Storia Foto out of Chicago. It's hard to see on Dawn's, but we had almost matching Mens and Womens shirts on.
The infamous Ray Santana, from Sunny Miami! I can't wait for Stacey and I to get back there one of these years and go hang out with him and his wife Anna.
The party was held at the Parisian Palace, and it was sooooo cool. I noticed how soft and warm the light was at one point, and grabbed this shot of Eliesa and Erin. The beauty of fast glass and high ISO's!
As we left the party, I saw my next car (hopefully someday at least), the fabulous Maserati sitting out in front!
The next day, I hung around the Pictage booth a while and grabbed some shots that they wanted of some of their sponsored speakers (sorry if there are repeats). Here is the amazing Joe Buissink, with Bob Davis looking on.
Dane Sanders talking with the mic.
Mike Colon, who it was great to see again after the workshop.
Robert T. Williams
David Jay and Robert Evans
Later that day, I got a chance to see Jesh De Rox, who is very inspirational and popularized the use of overlays within photography.
That evening, I started by attending the PUG leaders get together at TAO (the sea bass skewers are awesome!) in the Venetian. It was great meeting the Pictage people I talk with all the time, and some of the other PUG leaders. On my way back, I called a friend and ended up spending the evening doing some web-site and work critiques with some old and new friends (In clockwise order: Matthew J. Wagner, Gretchen Del Carmen, myself, Matt's Wife Teresa, and Shawna Schaub in the middle). Gretchen shot the latest cover for the wonderful Grace Ormonde Wedding Style magazine. If you haven't had a chance to see it, the shoot she did with Mike Colon and Ray Santana in Puerto Rico was amazing.
Wednesday morning started off with one of Australia's best:
I had front row seats.
A little video light demonstration
And Jerry getting down and dirty.

This year ended up with a night out and great dinner at Mon Ami Gabi (for any photographers interested in joining us next year, let me know. I plan on trying to make this an annual event!). Here is my workshop buddy Jeff Wendling (on the right) and studio partner, Brett, from T&J Studios in Valley Center, Kansas.
Some new friends and great people, Craig and April Davis, from Studio 563 in Houston
In addition, we were joined by Matthew and Theresa Wagner, and David Baxter of OHANA Photography.

After dinner, Mike Colon, David Escalante, Mike Steelman, and I went off to play a little poker. It was nice to catch up with Mike and his family during the week. Plus it was great to meet David and Mike S., despite none of us really shooting the lights out at the table. I made a few bucks but nothing to write home about.

To close things off, a shot of the Big B! Looking forward to next year everyone!
P.S. A big shout out to my lovely wife for the time to go out, learn a lot, and meet so many new people. I would also be remiss to not mention some local friends who aren't pictured: Bjorn Meisner, Noemi, Michael B, and Melissa Johnson. I enjoyed spending some time with all of you, but unfortunately don't have pictures.