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!