Virginia Beach portrait and lifestyle photographer specializing in comfortable portraits and candids
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Right now, Panera is full of high schoolers, chatter about math class, the smell of perfectly chewy french baguettes, and much too cold air. Oh, and there is a lady talking about someone breaking in and using a rolling pin to bat him away. And here I am, sitting a little too far away from the fireplace to feel any sort of warmth. Its ok, though, because I have a Chai Tea Latte. I have two weeks before I leave for my first WPPI. Not only that, but it’s my first trip to Las Vegas. And all I can do is google “wppi tips and advice.”
A favorite photo biz blog, PHOTO LOVECAT, is my comfort at the moment. From what I gather, prepare for chaos. Prepare to get no sleep. Prepare to be sick post-convention. Prepare to be overwhelmed!
Being overwhelmed is my fear. I LOVE listening to inspiring speakers, especially in my field, but I have a tendency to feel like… “I need to become what I’d like to be. NOW.” How can I avoid feeling this way? How can I prepare for THAT? I know that I’m supposed to wear comfortable shoes. And bring plenty of business cards. But how can I prepare my heart and mind for the inevitability and agony of time? It takes time to grow and develop. *sigh*
This is how I’m preparing myself:
Ali. Take a deep breath. Pray. Ok. Ready? You are going to be inspired beyond your imagination. You will hear from photographers who are world known. They have knowledge that you can’t get from anywhere else. Bring a notepad, and write as fast as you can. But don’t punish yourself if you miss something. There are going to be so many vendors and exhibitors for you to browse. Don’t pick up paper from any one that has to convince you of their product or service. If it is right, it will make sense. There will be so many creative and business experts–people who have great ideas and are making them happen. You will meet them and be inspired by them. Collect their business card, offer them one of yours, and if you click, keep in contact! There will be tons of people better than you. But you are something they aren’t. You are you. Remember Jasmine Star: You are the only one doing what you are doing, and therefore, you are the best at what you do. Don’t begin to compare yourself to anyone else. And Ali? Have fun. You are going to be with two friends who love and support you. Love and support them, too!
I gave this decision [to go to WPPI] so much prayer and God worked it out to be almost impossible to go. No matter how many excuses I gave [all stemming from fear]. Anyway, I am excited. And emotional, nervous, having trouble picking out outfits, and doing a lot of mental preparing. It is going to be bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
I’m totally with you! First trip to Vegas, first trip to WPPI, a huge journey of dealing with fear and trusting God through this process of deciding to go… etc.
(PS— we should meet)
Ali,
Take a deep breath, collect yourself and rock the show! The best advice I can give you (from having been at part of WPPI last year, Imaging USA this year, and countless other conventions from my day job) is to plan.
Take a look at the published class schedules, figure out who you want to see. Some of the platform classes fill up fast, but you can “pre-board” for a few of those. Next, keep an eye on Twitter, Facebook, and any of your vendor emails to see who else is sponsoring speakers on the show floor. Last year, I missed out big time as I only had enough time to fly through the vendor halls. At Imaging USA, I made it a point to go see certain speakers on the floor that I wasn’t able to see in the platform lectures. Make sure you take a notebook/Ipad/iphone/laptop to record notes. In the 7 days I was at Imaging USA last month, I think I captured 2-3 pages of notes per 1 hour lecture. My goal was to learn 1 thing from every speaker, and I’m pretty sure most of them were a wealth of knowledge and/or inspiration.
Expect to be overwhelmed. If this year is anything like last year, there will be over 15,000 photographers at the convention. There will be 2 exhibit halls full of vendors hawking their goods. There will be long lines and lots of things going on outside of the platform lectures and vendor hall.
Twitter is your friend. Do a search for #WPPI to catch news from vendors, other photographers and new friends. Lastly, I’ll be in Vegas for WPPI and if you’d like to get together, just send me a note at the email I provided above or hit me up on twitter @MBlockerPhoto
Jim
So excited to be one of those friends that loves and supports you and will be right there with you!
And so glad for the randomness of our meeting each other 5 years ago, almost to the day! WEIRD. 🙂