And it came to pass that I did attend the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International
conference in Las Vegas. It was estimated that as many as 12,000 photographers attended this nearly biblical event celebrating all ages, sizes, and nationalities of photographers.
The conference consisted of more than five days of classes offered in three categories. Masters classes, Platform classes, and Plus classes. There were also special events, and WPPI University classes. Each of these catered to individual capabilities of the attendees from beginners all the way to experts looking to brush up on some techniques to make them more capable.
Food for the Masses video
Presented by industry heroes and leaders in wedding and portrait photography. Huge sponsors such as Nikon, Canon, and Sony made the night life exciting with live modeling demos, free food, and presentations by member photographers . Gathering at the watering hole could be found new friendships as well as the renewing of acquaintances from the past.
Classes ran from 8 AM till on average 6 PM with some starting at 7 PM going to 10 PM if you were so inclined. Most were lecture style seminars put on by successful wedding industry photographers and others were actual hands-on training. I saw little pockets of photographers, cameras in hand, trailing after women dressed in wedding dresses with bridesmaids. They stopped in various locations inside and outside of the MGM convention center. The photographer/instructor posing them for the crowd of photographers letting them try different techniques and explaining why this or that was better in that location.
I took several classes and they all were helpful, informative, and inspirational but the one I think I enjoyed the most was Zach & Jody Gray’s Engaging with the Engaged: Growing Your Business Cost-Free.
Since I have a marketing as well as a technical background it all made sense to me but to some I observed, their message was new and enlightening. They spoke of everyone wanting to be important & loved and that by showing you are…important and loved through your website, blog, and social media…they will come to you as a client. Their website and blog features their clients weddings and testimonials. In addition their website has helpful tips for photographers. They do photography workshops at different venues around the states throughout the year. If you’re interested in their money making and money saving ideas go to Zach & Jody Gray’s site and sign up for a free PDF and newsletter. Maybe even sign up for a workshop or two. Tell them the old guy that sat about 80 rows back at their WPPI conference sent you.



















