WPPI...

Las Vegas.

Just that phrase conjures up so many different reactions in people. "Sin-city." Casinos. Nightclubs. Bars. Parties. Big Hotels. Entertainment. Brainlessness.

However, Vegas, to me, means thousands of colors, unique backdrops, and exciting opportunities for photo-taking, and learning...AKA...WPPI. Wedding Portrait Photographers International. Thousands of our closest wedding and portrait photography friends descend on "The Strip" every year for a convention that lends itself to making contacts, listening to the greats give their tips and tricks in seminars, and seeking out newest, most exciting equipment. Unless you're a photo nerd, you'd probably be rather unexcited. To those of us who make up the afore mentioned "nerd" catergory this convention is our Mecca. Annually, there is a pull that turns us toward Vegas and pushes us in that directions. Place, train or automobile, we get there any way we can, from all over the world. This year, it was especially exciting to see all the friends I've made over the past few years!Thanks to Facebook, I get to keep up with just about everyone, but for geographical reasons, it's impossible to see everyone!

Katee Grace and I headed to the desert from the OC Sunday evening (the 15th), and pulled into our hotel 4 hours later. After unloading our 18 bags (ok, not really 18 maybe like 5), we headed to the MGM to figure out the lay of the WPPI land. Let me tell you...that was absolutely the longest hallway I have ever walked. And we did so like 10 times a day! I definitely got my workout! We went back to the room, and chatted a bit about weddings, and life, and work. Going to bed on the early side was a perfect call. We were both already so tired.

We got up early, headed to the registration counter, picked up our badges, and then worked our way to David Jay's lecture. He and Ron Dawson talked about using video in marketing. Zach made his way over to Vegas to hang out, and roam the trade show floor with us for a day or so. We also had the chance to model for an awesome group of photographers from all over the country!

I was wonderful to make new friends, and see some old ones! :) Here are some images I snagged from some other people's blogs/facebook...etc...of Zach and me.

Photos Courtesy of Josh Newton, Amanda Suanne, Janelle Bosko, Dylan Mayer, Leslie Roark, Cait Elizabeth, Jacob Preedin, and I think I covered everyone's I put on here....

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As off and on as I have been with blogging lately, I have really good intentions! Promise! In the next few posts, I'm going to highlight life in the last couple weeks. It's definitely been a whirlwind!

First up, Valentine's Day!

February 14th and I have never really been great friends. I'm not really a fan of the Hallmark Holiday, simply because I never had a REAL valentine, or someone who would actually do something on Valentine's! That is, until last year! Last Valentines Day, Zach planned a perfect day, and I really didn't think it could get much better. This year, however, I had not just a Zach, but a FIANCÉ Zach...so, of course it was better! We headed out in the early afternoon, and he surprised me with a trip up to Pasadena. We walked around, had dinner at a wonderful Italian place, perused in and out of shops, and went to see a late movie. It was a perfect day of relaxing, romance, and just being us! Thank You Zach!!

(there is a photo, but it's definitely still on my p/s...oops!)