WPPI. I don’t even know where to begin… I’m on my way home as I type, on a flight from Las Vegas to Bellingham, WA. It has certainly been an eventful, incredible, inspiring, exhausting, past six-days. It was my second year at WPPI–an annual wedding and portrait photography conference in Las Vegas (that last part was for you at home who are thinking what the heck is WPPI?)

As more photographers started to blog and tweet about their WPPI plans in early 2010 I got a lot of emails asking, “Is WPPI worth my money and my time?” So here are my thoughts on the whole event. Get ready. My short answer? Yes, it’s worth it. So, see you in 2011. Read on for the long answer.

WPPI is one of the coolest opportunities we have as photographers. As self-employed artists, most of us work from home alone–and that can be isolating. We have networking tools like facebook/twitter/blogs but if there is no face-to-face meeting to back an initial connection up… it’s not worth much. WPPI brings 10,000+ photographers to one place and gives us the opportunity to research new products at the trade show, to learn from platform speakers, to attend masterclasses in areas we’re particularly interested in or to meet fellow photographers we admire.

i don’t plan my time at WPPI. Last year I went to one class. This year, I went to one class. Maybe I just enjoy being a terrible student and skipping classes… BUT maybe WPPI isn’t about the classes. But maybe, just maybe, it’s about relationship. Sharing opening and honestly about your business/dreams/goals/fears with someone else who has walked through, or is walking through similiar dreams/goals/fears in their business.

This year at WPPI, I left with more than just a notebook full of rapidly-written notes and a wallet full of business cards that I will probably misplace. Instead, I leave with many memories of conversations I was blessed and inspired by during my time in Vegas. There are a few photographers that I’ve shared my heart with and/or that have simply inspired me to become a better Jamie Delaine through our conversations. I wanted to pass on the love to the following folks and invite you to be inspired by them as well.

Promise Tangeman & Brian Wurzell. I pretty much think this couple is one of the raddest around. I’ve been a blog follower of Promise’s for a few months now and everything this woman touches turns into the most beautifully-crafted masterpiece. Graphic design, mixed media art, painting, photography, thrift store shopping: she does it all in a way that makes my mouth drop. Brian is a worship leader at Cornerstone Chandler and I had the pleasure of hearing him lead a hundred photographers in worship at a UNITE photog meeting on Wednesday. Promise and Brian were married last summer and I fell in love with them BOTH after reading about their wedding ceremony. They truly are a couple that radiates the love of Jesus wherever they go: not to mention an insane fashion sense, individually and together. I was so blessed to spend a couple of days getting to know them! You were both such an encouragement to me, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. // Image by Stephanie Fay.

Stephanie Fay & Stephen Motte. I am not a big facebook-chatter… I’m almost always “offline” when I’m browsing facebook, because IM conversations are soooo 2001. ;) But for some reason, about a year and a half ago, I was online and Steph & I started chatting. We talked for an hour that night about our photography businesses, the crazy world of dating AND her recent boyfriend-turned-fiance Stephen. It was last year at WPPI that I officially met Stephanie & Stephen: just a quick hug and a few waves throughout the week. This year, we actually needed to hang out. Over dinner two nights in a row, I was blessed to spend time with this newlywed couple from Scottsdale, AZ. Stephen and Stephanie both have such gentle and genuine hearts: I wish they lived closer! // Image by Jasmine Star.

Katelyn James. Katelyn James is a friendly face I’ve seen floating around facebook/twitter world, but never had the chance to conect face to face with! She’s a faithful blog commentor and I love seeing her name pop up in my email inbox. I was thrilled to be at a few events this year with her and to share dinner one night. Another wonderful young woman with an incredible heart for the Lord. Here she is pictured with her fiance Michael (who I didn’t get the chance to meet!) at their engagement session by Jasmine Star. Katelyn is planning a fun wedding for October, you must check out her blog to see all her plans! Loved meeting you Katelyn! Can’t wait to see you and your new hubby next year!

Jasmine Star. Who hasn’t heard of this girl? Even though Jasmine was constantly (it was literally insanity!) mobbed by people, I gave her a big hug during the Invite-Only Showit Event on Wednesday afternoon. This woman is inspiring in every sense of the word; I’ve loved watching Jasmine “shoot to fame” since her first wedding in October 2006. I’m coming up on two years since my first wedding and Jas constantly inspires me to keep working my butt off, keep reaching for that next big thing. Jasmine handles all the success that the Lord has mercifully poured upon her with incredible grace. Much love to you Jasmine & I hope you get some rest soon. // Image by Jessica Claire.

Nate & Jaclyn Kaiser. When I saw that The Image Is Found was offering a ShootShop on a Friday a few days before the official start of WPPI, I jumped on board. Wholeheartedly. Nate & Jaclyn inspire me beyond belief. Their brand is quirky and creative and fun and different and life-filled. They create images that set them apart from oth
er photographers in the industry. I wanted inside their brains. During the one-day workshop, they blessed the 20 photographers attending with a little glimpse into their thought-process. The #1 thing I took away from their workshop was to stop doing what’s popular. I want to create images that I want to create. Not images that I thought looked cool from a wedding blog. I want to find my inspiration in style, in design, in architecture, in food magazines, in life, in general–anything but the wedding photography world. They are straight-shooters–no sugar coating–outspoken and absolutely hilarious. It was a great experience I would recommend to anybody! Thank you for your knowledge Nate and Jac. You have refreshed me! // Image by Sean Flanigan.

I can’t leave the WPPI tradeshow without hopping in a photobooth or two. It just isn’t done. I have a sneaking suspicion I’m AWESOME at them. You be the judge. Cameo apperances by Kristen Leigh, Melissa Jill and Lydia.

& To finish it off, here’s a group photo Stephanie Fay took at her Q&A session with Showit. I didn’t take one at mine. And I was at hers. So, this’ll have to do! Check out Steph’s blog for all the info about who’s in the photo. Yay! So that’s my WPPI recap, hope to see more friendly faces next year. Come one, come all!

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