I’ve been able to go to WPPI the last 3 years in a row. I’ve enjoyed each year for different reasons.
This year I think the thing I will take away from it most is that Photographers do like meeting one another. In the past I have felt that other professional photographers were too ”huge”, ”popular” to talk to other professionals who weren’t at their same level and stature.
However this year leading up to WPPI and while I’ve been here I’ve been proved totally wrong.
Photography, should be something where people grow together to become a better photographer and person. We should all be open with one another on how we photograph certain things.
Here are the reasons why:
1. You most likely aren’t making new ideas/crazy lighting setups that someone else can figure out by studying your photograph.
2. You should care about other photographers, because in reality we are the only ones who totally “nerd out” together and care about how technical we photograph something. In other words, we get all excited about the little details all leading up the the shot, while our clients just see it as, “WOW! That’s a cool shot of me” Our clients obviously mean much to us, but it’s photographers who actually get excited for weeks months, and want to do something similar with their own style.
3. You are not the only photographer out there. Not only are there some of clients who are interested in photography, but there are others who are just starting in photography and want to learn from others, including you. Why wouldn’t you want to help someone out by teaching them the gift of being a photographer?
So who have I been able to meet at WPPI that I was a little stuned that they would be so aviliable to talk to anyone?
1. Mike Colon- One of the leading wedding photographers in the world. http:www.twitter.com/mikecolon
Granted, I had already meet him previously by him speaking at IEPPV (www.ieppv.com). He is beyond helpful and willing to help photographers out with any questions.
2. Lindsay Adler- Another amazing photographer, who photographs not only weddings but fashion as well. http://twitter.com/lindsayadler I had spoken very breifly on twitter with her in the past month, and went up to her and talked with her yesterday at the trade show.
3. Collages- This was an invite only event that they had in their suite at the MGM. I went with DeeDee Dallas (www.deedeedallas.com) a photographer that I assist very often. She is one of Collages featured photographers, so I got to go up and meet some of Collages staff and CEO. I was blown away that I got to talk with them, but they were beyond helpful and wanted to hear what we thought about thier company. Collages can be found at www.collages.net
4. Colleen Sherman- A local photographer in Temecula. http://twitter.com/csherm
I’ve talked with Collen often via twitter but finally got to meet her in person when we shared a flight out here from Ontario Airport. We talked about our current buisness, weddings photography, and how we got started in photography.
So what am I saying all together? Get out there talk to people in person, email, via social networks. Be available for others as well. As I’ve heard Mike Colon say, you can learn something from anyone at any level of photography.
I have one more full day here at WPPI and looking forward to seeing more photography accessories that are out there as well as learning from and speaking with other professional photographers.
Please if you have any questions about how I do things as well don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks for reading!
P.S. WPPI 2011 is Feburary 17-24 Be there with me! (www.wppionline.com)
by Tim Marman
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