Chris and I are getting super excited about WPPI 2012!!! It is going to be amazing. We can’t wait. It will be Chris’ first time, and he has been asking me about tips and tricks so that he can stay on track, so here is a top 20 for all of you first timers (and maybe even some of you going back!)
1. Stay at a hotel that is close to the MGM if you are not staying in the MGM. Some suggestions, NYNY, Hooters, Americas Best Value Inn. Trust me, you will want to stay someplace close, because down time is important, and if you are too far away, down time is difficult.
2. Network. Some of your best photog friends, chances are you will meet them here. Network EVERYWHERE. At the airport, in line at the Starbucks (should you choose to accept that challenge!), in your classes, in the elevator, EVERYWHERE.
3. Print out business cards, and keep them with you ALL THE TIME!! Seriously, you will want them for draws and to hand out to new friends.
4. Take a notebook EVERYWHERE. Honestly, you will only need your 5D MkII and your 70-200 for shoots really. Your notebook, you will be learning about things ALL THE TIME.
5. Take a water bottle. The desert is dry, and arid. Keep hydrated.
6. Dress in layers, so you can peel down in platform classes full of 200-400 people, or you can bundle up when going outside where the temperature isn’t that warm.
7. Comfortable shoes, SERIOUSLY will be your best friends. If you need them to be a little dressed up with your outfit, make sure they are comfortable in them. Heels are fab, but walking about 8 hours/day in them, your dogs will be a’barking!
8. Ok, so this might be a bit too late to suggest this, but DON’T schedule yourself silly. Make sure you have some downtime, to relax, to hang out, to catch lunch/dinner with your new friends. It is really easy to burn out.
9. Schedule time to visit the trade show, BUT, when you do this, make sure you know what you are looking for SPECIFICALLY. If you are in search of albums, map out where all the albums booths are at. It is HUGE, so budget yourself enough time to go to these.
10. If it is within your budget, schedule a shoot out. We are going to some great one’s. Our friends over at Emma Jane Photography are having a shoot in a Ghost town, and there is still some space available. Check it out here. There are many other one’s too, so try to find something that interests you.
11. Go to at least one party. Let your hair down. It doesn’t have to be a dance party, with loud music. There are lots, Airplanes and Blazers, the Canon Canada Soiree, Canon 80′s party, Bay Photo Lab, a Concert with Ingrid Michaelson, and so many more. (This is not a MUST, but a nice to do thing for yourself!)
12. Bring snacks in your bag with you. Trust me, you will thank me for this. Granola bars, apple snacks, fruit leathers. The food court is expensive, and there are ALWAYS LINES.
13. If you start your morning off with coffee, get yourself a To-Go Mug, and Starbucks VIA (or any other equivalent). Honestly, I drink coffee every morning, and normally, at the Starbucks at home, I pay $2.25 for a grande. In Vegas, I was paying $3.50 for a grande DRIP COFFEE, oh and you might find yourself waiting in line for about an hour.
14. Keep an eye on your twitter, your FB and social media. You can find some cool giveways, cool parties, and fun contests.
15. If you have an Iphone, or Smartphone, just be aware that there is a bazillion other photographers uploading instagrams, FB photos, updating their status’. So, change your network from the 3G network to EDGE. Or just use Wi-Fi when available.
16. Share knowledge. What you learn at WPPI will no doubt be amazing!!! Blog it, share it! My experience has been that there are loads of other photographers who don’t have the opportunity to go to WPPI, so share what you learn, share what you know. There is a SUPER COOL website that shares knowledge. SLR LOUNGE. Last year my room mate wrote about different platform classes with SLR Lounge. THEY BLOW MY MIND AWAY.
17. At the end of your week in Vegas, take time to go through your notebook with all the awesome notes, and transcribe them on your laptop, or in neater handwriting. I look back on my notes from last year, and I can’t make out something that may have been important.
19. Yup, I skipped 18, feel free to add your 18 in the comments.
20. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!! Don’t trap yourself in your room, get out there. Out of your shell, smile, and just have fun!
xo Nora.
P.S. If you are a bride, planning an elopement or destination wedding in Vegas, the third week of February is probably the best time, because you can host a group of photographers to shoot your wedding. Haha.
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Great tips! I wish I had this kind of advice the first time I went to WPPI!
Haha, love the P.S.! Great tips! So excited to go again this year!