Lisa Whalen Photography Blog!

I thought I’d post a few musings regarding this year’s WPPI convention, since I happen to think it’s one of the best things I’ve EVER done for my business, and I’d love to encourage those photographers who are on the fence regarding whether they should attend or not to JUST DO IT. (are you envisioning the Nike swish logo right now? I certainly am. Now THAT"S marketing!) Seriously, what an adrenaline shot to my business psyche the whole experience was! My monetary investment started paying itself back 2 minutes after I hit the trade show floor.

I choose to go the full registration route and attended a few of the Platform Classes as well, (something I also highly recommend) although attending the trade show also yielded much in terms of both information AND inspiration gathering. The thing is, there are just so many of the biggest names in business at the convention, and they’re all teaching classes, engaging in small forums and making themselves accessible to those who have a genuine desire to learn more about what they do.

Every one of these photographers has something unique about the way they approach their businesses Through actively participating in the offered events you get to meet photographers who’s business philosophies and life experience really resonate with yours, and when that happens - BINGO! - inspiration STRIKES!!! What you once thought was an obstacle becomes an advantage instead, and you are just ON FIRE (not literally) and the world is your oyster and Look Out World, and… and… well, you get the idea.

As a first time attendee I carefully checked over all the speakers and picked out the events I wished to attend, and then did the same thing in regards to the multitude of vendors at the trade show. I fully intended to attend every platform class I possibly could, and to see at least half the trade show. Ah, yeah,right… like THAT actually happened!

What got in the way? The parties! The networking! The impromptu photo shoots! All those things I hadn’t really factored in prior to planning out my trip, and you know what? Those wound up being some of the best parts of the WPPI experience. We all have so much to learn from EACH OTHER, that just hanging out and shooting with and TALKING to the other attendees was as equally inspirational as attending the trade show or the Platform classes. What an experience - I can’t wait for next year! (Note to self: Next year bring more party clothes - WAY more.)

I’ll be blogging more of my experiences from the convention (and those blogs will have pictures – YAY!) and sharing some of what I feel I’ve learned from attending this years convention. Right now, however, I think it’s time for a nap – I’m still catching up on all that sleep I didn’t get while I was in Vegas!

Posted by lisa at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day! I'm a sucker for holidays involving candy, so I've always been a big fan of Valentine's Day. And, to celebrate the day, here's a little blog I'm dedicating to True Love. It all began with those two little words:

Two words to which Nicole's response was a most definite affirmative, and which has set in motion that whirlwind chain of events that will culminate in Nathan and Nicole's marriage on the 28th of next month. Congratulations, Nicole and Nathan!

In the meantime, preparations are still underway, and this is where I come into the picture (haha, no pun intended, HONEST...) Nicole's friends, family, and family-to-be gathered together last Saturday to throw her a wedding shower, and yours truly was hanging out behind the camera, and taking pictures of all the glorious chaos that a room full of gifts and well-wishers can produce.

This was indeed an awesome event - we're talking all out, ultimate pre-wedding girl-fest!

Check out some of the decorations:

The blue and white color theme was inspired by Tiffany and Co. - can't go wrong with that! Who doesn't love to receive one of their blue and white wrapped gift boxes...?

There were presents galore:

A fun, crazy little game involving ribbon "garters" - the object of the game being to accumulate the most garters. Here's one guest who was definitely well on her way to winning the coveted prize:

There was such a flurry of unwrapping that sometimes I lost the bride amidst the packaging! Nicole? Are you in there somewhere???

Ahhh - found her! Next to her is one of her bridesmaids, Brynne, who is creating the beribboned bouquet that Nicole will use for her wedding rehearsal.

Meanwhile, champagne was being poured, and cake was being served to all the guests. Nicole's Maid of Honor, Anna, was quietly taking care of all the little details...:

There were so many people at Nicole's shower who I could see were just such an important part of her life. This blog would be about twelve miles long if I were to put up photos of all them! There is, however, one other person I definitely want to include in this entry:

Noreen is Nathan's Great, GREAT Grandmother, and today is her 103rd (yes, you read that right - 103) birthday. A Valentine's baby! How cool is that?

Two final photos: One of Nicole as her sparkly-eyed vibrant self:

And one of Nicole with her Mom, who so happily allowed her house to be transformed for the event:

So there you have it - True Love as it is celebrated by the time-honored event of the Bridal Shower! Nicole, best of luck to you and Nathan - always!

By the way, make sure you check out the imagery of Breck Sargent, of Sargent Photoworks. He'll be photographing Nicole and Nathan's upcoming nuptials.

Posted by lisa at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)