A Photographer’s Play-Time in Vegas
This past week I had the pleasure of joining approximately 12,000 fellow photogs in Las Vegas for our annual convention of   WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) . This was my fourth year attending with my awesome professional lab,   Northwest Professional Color . I was fortunate to spend a week with the greatest lab owners in the world, Susan and Andy Rau; along with Greg Carlock and Martin Grahame-Dunn in an MGM Sky Loft !!

Each night we hosted a hospitality night and photoshoots in our Loft, and I was able to photograph some outstanding models, including America’s Got Talent   Seth Grabel , who has his own Vegas show at the Roayl House. I also photographed some Vegas Show Girls, a Vegas Belly Dancer, and our beautiful model Keely. We also hosted a photoshoot in Nelson, a ghost town, on Saturday afternoon with about a dozen awesome photographers.

I love spending time with my favorite photographers and friends, and I love learning more and more every year I attend. I love meeting new photographers, and networking and exchanging information and skills. It fuels my creative juices and always leaves me feeling recharged, (although this year it left with me a cold and cough as well LOL) 6 days of running full speed and little sleep take their toll on a gal, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything!!! I can handle a little sickness 😉 It made me long to come home and try out some new techniques and line up clients and models for new sessions and styles that I want to implement! It also inspired me to really kick up my Rock Star 101 teleclass, I know it’s an awesome class and know how much it will help other photographers improve their business and up their game!! I am excited to start making some changes and start kicking some more ass in everything that I have brewing! Be sure to join me for the ride, because it’s going to be EPIC!

While in Vegas I also got to play a little bit! Friday night Susan and Andy took me to see Motley Crue at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. It was an AMAZING show, they really truly put on a great performance and I am so glad I had the chance to see them! Saturday night I had free VIP tickets to the Vanity Nightclub in the Hard Rock Hotel, and danced to the mixes of nonother than Jersey Shore’s DJ Pauly D. I know it’s cliche, but I was super excited to see him in action! The club was PACKED and I partied it up until 4 a.m. Vegas style!! A gal’s gotta have a little play time before focusing on work in Vegas!!

All in all I had an outstanding trip and came home feeling incredibly blessed knowing I am surrounded by outstanding photographers and friends. Here are some images I created, I hope you find them inspiring!!! (an contrary to popular belief, I actually DO get work done and learn stuff while in Vegas, but yes, I also DO play while I am there!)

Business Headshot Portraits

I have been crazy busy the past few months with a lot of Business Headshot Portraits. I am a big advocate for professional portraits for your website, business cards, marketing pieces, etc and I am not just saying that because I am a photographer 😉

Your photo usually is the first impression you will make with a potential client, and is so critical in today’s age of internet. People have usually narrowed down their search of a professional to one or two online first, and typically with throw out any cadidates who do not have a professional photo on their site, and have instead opted for the “mug shot” up against a wall in their office.

Do yourself a favor this year and update your professional image with a headshot! We can accomodate you in the studio, or we will come to your business and photograph the entire staff on-location. We are also available to do product shoots, environmental portraits, and oh so much more to help you polish your look and presence online!!

Mason is Two

Little Mr. Mason came in this week for his two year session. I have been photographing him since his mommy was pregnant with him and LOVE watching him grow, and his personality develop!! I have known his mom since back in the day when we worked at Chili’s Eagan together so he is an extra special little client for me!!

His 18 month session was a bit touch-n-go and this session started out the same, but ended up with giggles and laughs a few minutes into it. I just love this random photo that I captured of him running towards me. Sometimes these “happy accidents” turn into some of my favorite fine-art-style photos! We managed to capture a bunch of great images, but this is my fave! Enjoy the sneak peek!

Jolene’s Body Art Session

There are clients that I become more attached to and feel like I am a part of their lives!! This is definitely one of them!!

Jolene and her family have been clients for almost four years when they were pregnant with their first child, Charlie! I photographed all of Charlie’s First Year and then on his birthday every year since! In 2010 they were expecting their second child and came in for a pregnancy session . I hadn’t heard from them about their newest arrival until David was almost two months old. He was born with a heart defect and was still in the hospital. Would I please come to the hospital to photograph him? Absolutely I will!!! And am I ever glad I did because little David passed away shortly afterwards.

The tattoo on her left leg is David’s footprint from his birth certificate. They are now pregnant with a little baby girl and due the same time that David was born two years ago!! Such an amazing story of happy sadness!! I just love this family!!! Thank you for being a part of my Body Art Project!!