WPPI Highlights

Admittedly, Las Vegas is not my idea of an ideal vacation spot but during the week of WPPI, there is no place I'd rather be. I just returned from a week full of educational classes, a trade show packed full of fabulous photography vendors, and connecting with photographers from around the world. I'm brimming with new ideas and excitement!

Some highlights:

1. Photo Shoot with Jasmine Star!

I admittedly blog stalk Jasmine Star. Not only is she a fabulously talented photographer, she is an incredible writer, and an all around inspiring person. Last year at WPPI, I saw her across the room, worked up the guts to introduce myself to her and before I knew what was happening, tears were streaming down my face. I wanted to tell her how much I admired her as a person as well as her work but all I could manage was something like "Uh, I like uh, really love, uh your work..." Pretty impressive, Emily. I wanted to sink into the floor. I'm not joking when I say it was like meeting a celebrity! Thankfully, she was incredibly sweet, gave me a big hug, and was so gracious.

Needless to say, I was THRILLED when I was randomly selected to be a part of a group of 20 other photographers for an early morning sample photo shoot with her! We all brought our cameras and got to shoot right along side Jasmine and her husband, JD, who is equally as sweet as she is. This experience was definitely the top highlight of my week (maybe even my year).

As a small side note, I was totally excited to also meet Amy Wenzel at the shoot as well! :)


Jasmine and her husband, JD:








And the fabulous models, Mark and Jaclyn. They flew in all the way from Kansas!
Jaclyn is also a photographer! These guys are great on both sides of the camera!





















2. Seeing the Mammoth Men sing karaoke at the BluDomain gathering!

The Mammoth Men are comprised of twelve awesome photographers (each with their own photo business) who take random trips every now and then and rely on their blog readers to "choose their adventure" for the day. They are extremely talented and hilarious. Again, I felt like I was seeing celebrities! Check out Kelli Nicole's blog for some photos of them (Shawna and I even made it in the background of one of them....see if you can find us!).

What made it even more fun was the fact that Shawna and Kory were there from Shawna Noel Photography!










I also made some new friends! Tim and Angela Chin from Montreal, Canada!
Angela and I were extremely excited to be in front of the Mammoth Men!




Harold is another new friend! He is a photographer and also does some work for a new album
company that is on my radar! And who doesn't love a photobooth!?





3. Connecting with friends from last year!

I got to hang out with Jeff and Trishia who I met a year ago during WPPI! This year, their son Joe came with too! Thanks for Jeff for this photo!







4. Randomly meeting Neal and Eric from Lemon Lime Photography! Crazy...in a good way!

5. My awesome roommate, Amanda. I can't believe we didn't take a picture together...but we had so much fun. I'm so excited for her and her new photography business! Go leave some blog love on her site!

6. I could go on and on and on about the awesome people I met, fun things I learned, etc. etc. but we'd be here for days! I feel blessed for this opportunity and can't wait to start implementing some new things!

WPPI

I'm blogging from my iPhone in Las Vegas...I love technology. I am here for WPPI, a HUGE photography convention. I've been here since Friday and have already run into several "photo friends" that I met last year! It's so fun to be here, meet fabulous people, learn a ton, and be inspired by complete immersion in everything photography! It doesn't hurt that the weather is slightly nicer than Minnesota too! I'll be here until Thursday and am looking forward to learning a ton from the best of the best in this industry. Have a great week!

Libby Kathleen

Words don't come easy when my heart is heavy. And my heart is very heavy.

This week has been filled with rejoicing in the beautiful gift of Libby Kathleen and grieving because her time here was simply too short. Yet in this all too brief time, she has captivated the hearts of her sweet momma, daddy, brother, all those who met her, and even those who didn't.

Wishing to write something to help ease the pain but knowing that no words can suffice, I'll let the photos do the talking.

Love, peace, and gratitude to you, sweet angel, Libby Kathleen.




























































For more information about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, please click here.

Brian Olsen: Art in Action

I'm not a huge TV watcher. And I don't really want to admit the one show that I make a point to watch every week.

American Idol.

There, I said it. I admit to falling head over heels for the reality show despite the fact that singing in public terrifies me. Sure, the utterly ridiculous drama, idiosyncratic contestants, and insulting critiques can be entertaining and comical. But amidst all that, I find myself inwardly rooting for those contestants putting it all out there, doing anything they can to (albeit very cliche) chase their dream.

I am inspired when I witness people chasing their dreams. And if I can be inspired by flipping American Idol, just imagine how inspired I was when I had the opportunity to photograph Brian Olsen.

From Brian's website: www.brianolsenart.com
Brian Olsen’s Art In Action is an explosion: a colorful display of paint, energy, music and passion with a purpose.

Using fingertips, palms, elbows and up to three brushes in each hand, Brian paints portraits of famous people including musicians, sports figures, and top corporate heads on a four and a half by six foot canvas in just a matter of minutes. His creations are choreographed to music that is powerful and stimulates the senses. Brian’s Art in Action is described as “an emotional experience” taking his audience through an amazing journey of excitement, suspense, cheer, and surprise. His ability to captivate his audience and share the experience of color, music, and action is a way to bring people into the world of art and creativity. It is a new artform that brings people together to share the explosion of art and stir up the personal creativity we all have within.

There is a simple message in Brian’s show: Be yourself, be creative, and take chances. You never know what you might discover. But, whatever it is, do it with all your heart.

This guy is incredible. He inspired me. A bazillion million times more than American Idol ever could.

A quick slideshow:

Jack and Sam

Jack and Sam are cousins but are more like brothers. Their moms are identical twins, and I do mean identical! Both their looks and personalities are interchangeable and they are both a ton of fun. Last time I photographed Jack, he was about a year old and Sam was just 2 weeks old! Needless to say, they both are growing so fast and this time, we tried to get some "cousin" pictures along with Sam's 7 month photos! Oh how I wished for a video camera to capture both moms and grandpa putting on a small circus, desperate for some smiles! What a hoot!