wppi 2007.now that was fun

Sticky and I have just returned from Vegas for the annual WPPI Convention and Trade Show!! We knew that it was going to be exhausting, inspiring and amazing but it truly did exceed our expectations by leaps and bounds. The only downfall to the trip was that I was and still am nursing a wicked cold (so please have mercy on all of the pink and tired looking eyes in my pics) but seriously not even pneumonia could of stopped me from having a good time.

I would have to say first and foremost the best part about the trip was meeting and connecting with photographers who we already knew and ones who we have been wanting to meet. We truly are part of a great community full of the most kind and genuine people you could ever ask for. It would be so easy to hide all of your knowledge from others in this industry. Yet we as a community realize that we will never grow unless we share all that we have learned. I hope that someday Sticky and I will be in a place where others will want to learn from us but for now we are just overwhelmingly grateful to have the opportunities that we do. Thank you to everyone for accepting us with open arms - it was so hard to say goodbye and I hope to see everyone soon.

I, surprisingly enough, did not take nearly enough photos. We are in desperate need of a new point and shoot - ours is not so fun - and there also was not exactly a lot of time. I am so bummed that I do not have more images of the people we met and hung out with. We do have some but not nearly enough. And of course there are other photographers out there who have some up - like the wonderful Anne Ruthman, who was a pure joy to meet, and we even made it on the infamous [b]ecker blog. I am pretty sure he has no idea who Sticky and I are but it sure was nice of him to put us up. Our photos are filled with old and new friends. The couples from LaCour are just too awesome - great business, concept and team - I really enjoyed meeting them. Fletcher is just about the nicest guy you will ever meet. He had no idea who we were yet talked with us like we were old friends the entire time, we have to go out to Portland to visit this guy. Regis is just out and out a fun guy. I can see why everyone loves him so much. I truly hope that he feels all of the peer pressure for Elevate in Orlando in June because it would be just so awesome to have him there. And speaking of fellow Elevate attendees...Katie and Chris Torres are a very special couple who we already love dearly. We had so many of the same experiences to share. They are in a really exciting stage in their business and we could not be happier for them. Ashley and Sam Brockington befriended us one of the first nights and we are sure glad that they did. It was so great to have a late night dessert/appetizer chat with them. They are the sweetest people and I would love to connect with them again in Florida. Matt and Melissa, you guys are just too adorable. It was so great to finally meet you and I hope that next time we will be able to hang out more. And of course I have to give props to THE PHOTOGRAPHERS, Jos and Jaysen. You guys were a trip to meet and your style is just too cool. You guys could not be any nicer and we hope to see you again soon in the future.

Ok, I have to give very special props to my college friends. Missy it was so great to see you and I just can't say enough about your Gary. You two are just soo sweet together. I am very happy for you and CANNOT WAIT to see the pics from your big day!! Jess Strickland what can I say?! You are just as addicting and vibrant as ever!! I hope that the next time I see you Mark will be there - sounds like him and Sticky would get along well. And then there is the beautiful couple Robbie and Lauren. After seeing you two in Vegas it pretty much reaffirmed that we need to hang out in Dayton sometime. I cannot believe that we have not yet!! It was so great to see all of you and hopefully we will all be back next year to hang out again!!

We have to give a special thank you to Garrett and Joy Nudd. I am sure that many of our blog followers have heard of these guys before, they were after all our grand slam wedding photographers. The Nudds are so popular in the photography world for a couple of reasons: 1.their style is unique to them and so incredibly awesome, 2. they are absolutely the most wonderful, genuine people you will ever have the honor of meeting. We were able to catch Garrett at the liveBooks booth twice and we also had the honor of going out for a evening dessert after the awards ceremony on Weds. We had no business being able to spend as much time with the two of you as we did but as usual, we enjoyed every second. Thanks Again for everything, we cannot say enough about you guys!!

And then there is my better half - Sticky. I could never thank you enough for coming with me on this huge experience. Your support and patience has not been overlooked!! Without your charisma and charming smile I certainly know that we would not have met half as many people as we did. I am a lucky girl to have such a celebrity like husband!! I cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for us and the business:-) None of this would be possible without you - I love you!



I could go on and on but I will spare you all and leave you with this SLIDESHOW. Thank you to every single photographer out there who made our first WPPI so darn special!! We cannot wait to do it all over again next year!!!!!