Las Vegas Redux

Last year, I attended my first photography convention in Las Vegas. In just a few hours, I’ll be leaving for my second convention experience. Is everything sexier in Las Vegas? From this ad for the Paris Hotel, one would think so and they wouldn’t be wrong. It’s an adult playground and when it comes to conventions, they really know how to Super Size. By the way, if you like this Paris Cake Topper, you can buy your very own at the Paris Hotel’s web site.

Imagine a city filled with photographers from all over the world. Some of the very best in the world, all coming together to share their knowledge, network, make new friends and have a lot of fun. The convention runs non-stop from morning to late in the evening, but the best part of the experience is the informal sharing of knowledge at the bar after classes. Photographers saddle up and introduce themselves to each other and next thing you know, they’re off and running with cameras in hand. If they can’t find anyone, then they start shooting each other. Everyone is grinning from ear to ear because what happens in Vegas never stays in Vegas.

There is a trade show that coincides with the two photography conventions being hosted in Las Vegas and it’s a mind boggling array of booths and high tech overload. This is where you can get hands on with the latest wedding albums, products and camera equipment. It’s such a huge show, as only Vegas can do it, that many photographers fly in just to attend the trade show.

Last year, the seminars I attended had a profound impact on my style of shooting and my approach to wedding photography. I know this year will be just as influential. It’s amazing to have this kind of access to these masters of photography. Everything from urban wedding photography to cinematic weddings, Photoshop classes, lighting classes and a live wedding shoot in the desert by two of the most highly acclaimed wedding photographers, followed by a barbecue. The best part of all is that everyone hangs out together for an entire week and I’d say more is learned outside the seminars than anywhere else.

Five of my friends from Portland are coming this year to Vegas. We’re already a family, but when we’re in Vegas it’s even better. All week long we’ve been working around the clock catching up on post production work, answering emails, clearing the calendar and returning phone calls. From the phone calls I made this afternoon, it’s obvious that we are all in a high state of excitement and anticipation. It’s all we talk about for months after the convention, you’d think we had pathetic lives. My wife commented that she wanted to come next year and while it sounds good when you hear us talking about it month after month, the reality is we sit around for hours and talk about photography and lighting, worse than any geek. She smiled and nodded that all so knowing nod and said…”You’re right…never mind”.

Upon my return, there will be a flurry of blogging activity. Not only a report with photos from the convention, but no less than 10 new posts of engagement sessions, a wedding (including my father’s wedding) and some of the commercial work I’ve been doing the past few months. Until then…Viva Las Vegas!