What happens in Vegas, doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas… not when you’ve got thousands of photographers on site, ready to show their photographic proof of the events. But it’s all good…

WPPI stands for “Wedding and Portrait Photographers International,” and they certainly live up to their name. They hold an annual event in Las Vegas (which will be at the MGM Grand once again this year). There were well over 12,000 attendees at last year’s event. And there were over 365 exhibitors at their trade show.

I will be amongst the attendees again this year, and will be in Vegas from Sunday through Wednesday. And I won’t be alone, either… my sister-in-law, Maria, will be coming along for the ride. (You’ll get a full introduction to Maria soon enough, as she will be operating as my second shooter for various events.)

The WPPI event is awesome for many different reasons. It offers a chance to network with my peers and mentors. The tradeshow allows me to see all the various vendors and products at my disposal. And the seminars/classes give me the opportunity to learn new things and brush up on my skill set.

All of this just adds to the package deal of the Suitcase Studio.  I feel that it’s important to stay on top of things, be it trends in shooting techniques, software or simply being able to offer the best products for my clients. WPPI offers a great way to make myself into a better photographer and a better business woman.

I am leaving my laptop at home, so there won’t be any big posts here till my return. But if you would like to “join in” with our adventures along the way and get a sneak peek of some possible new products I might discover there, please follow me on my twitter account or facebook page, where I will be posting updates from my iPhone.

Wish Upon a Wedding is a new organization, dedicated to granting weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States to couples facing life-threatening illnesses. It was recently founded by wedding planner Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, with the hope that no couple should ever be denied the chance to marry the one they love.  Wish Upon a Wedding is the only organization of its kind in existence today.

By calling on a regional database of wedding vendors known as “Wish Granters,” the organization will be able to grant three types of weddings. How quickly the services are granted, and how detailed the weddings are, depends upon the Wish Recipient’s health condition.

“Many couples cannot afford to get married, due to overwhelming medical bills, particularly those who have been battling life threatening conditions, sometimes for many years,” says Guthrie. “Often a person is too sick to even leave their hospital bed, or they may be in hospice care,” explains Guthrie, “If their last wishes include marrying their partner who stood by them through their most difficult times, we want to help make that dream come true. What better way to celebrate love than with their closest friends and family, in one of life’s most significant ceremonies?”

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I am pleased to announce that I have offered my photography services to Wish Upon a Wedding for the Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter, should the need arise.

There are ways that YOU can get involved, too… visit their website to see the many different ways that you can help. From donating your time, money or even your skills, there are many different ways to show your support for such a wonderful cause. If nothing else, you can simply spread the word of this wonderful organization.

I am excited to announce my participation in this year’s Baby & Child Portrait Contest, hosted by Miller’s Professional Imaging.

Here’s how it works:

Schedule & complete a session with me before June 21, 2010.  This can be a newborn session, family session, child session, etc. (sorry… maternity sessions don’t count).  As long as you’ve got a kid involved who is 12 years old or younger, you are eligible to participate!  I pick the best image of your kiddo, and enter it into the contest (one image per child). That’s it. Simple, huh?

Prizes/How to WIN:

There are 4 categories:  humorous, color, black & white/sepia, and special needs. Each month the top 5 images in each category (as voted by Miller’s Imaging customers) will make it to the final round in July.  These images (20 in each category) will be  judged by a separate panel of esteemed photographers.  The 3rd place winners will win $750, 2nd place winners $1,000 and the first place winners in each category will win $2,000!!!  There will also be a GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the whole contest who will win $5,000 CASH!!!  (click here for official rules)

THE FAMILY OF THE WINNING CHILD’S PORTRAIT GET THE CASH PRIZE!!!

So… what are you waiting for???! Book your winning portrait session with me now!

It started with a quick glance at an e-newsletter from famed photographer Jasmine Star which was appropriately entitled “Sprout Your Wings.” Just a quick update from what she’s been up to lately, a note from her, and… oh yeah… notice that she’s holding another workshop in April. I didn’t even notice any of the other the other stuff in the newsletter. All I saw was the blurb about the workshop, and mention of the last one selling out in about an hour’s time. That’s all the nudge that I needed.

I had been on my way out the door (and had been viewing this all on my iPhone), but I quickly made a mad dash back to my computer and went straight to her site to officially register. She only takes 20 students in each workshop, so all of my fingers and toes were crossed in the hopes that I had made it on time. The registration process was easy enough, but I still had to hold my breath with anticipation, since I wouldn’t be “official” till I paid, received notice of my payment, and was given the “all-clear” that it had all gone down in time to be one of the first lucky 20. Whew!Having done all that I could, I headed out to grab some lunch. It was a nerve-wracking hour, as I checked my iphone for indications that the next steps could be taken… go here to make your payment, payment received, and then… (wait for it)… YES! YES! YES! I received THIS email:

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

I am on cloud nine right now, dancing on my tippie-toes.

Shaun & Hollie originally met in junior high and were in several classes together. Pre-teen crushes ensued. But they never really got around to dating for any period of time. (Especially since they were still too young to do any actual dating.) Time moved on, and they ended up going to different high schools. Rival high schools. And you know how it is at that age… even if you are only a few streets apart, you might as well be half a world away. But Shaun and Hollie kept in touch with one another; they were each other’s dates at a couple high school dances, and Hollie even came to show support for Shaun at a few of his show choir performances. But time, and life, kept progressing.  After high school graduation they simply lost contact with one another, their lives having moved them in different directions.

But you never forget your first love…

Years later, they were brought together again… with the help of a little social networking site known as “Facebook.” Hollie found Shaun’s profile, and sent a message to say “hi.” And their relationship began anew.  And in some ways, it was if no time had passed at all.  And so, it was at a sunset picnic, and just in time for Hollie’s birthday, that Shaun asked Hollie to be his wife. And Hollie said yes.

So, to my brother Shaun, whom I love dearly… and my sister-to-be Hollie, whom I look forward to being able to call “family,” I give the best gift I have within my grasp: capturing these moments of the two of you together, so that you might be able to look upon these images and remember the joy you bring one another.

You can also see a few more images from their engagement session by clicking here.

I am busy editing photos from my brother (Shaun)’s & his new fiance (Hollie)’s engagement shoot. Many more to come (and the full story, too), but here’s a sneak peek in the meantime:

Designer Credit: Trinkel Delapaz, a student of GAS Creative at Cal Poly Pomona

And just a reminder: my favorite images from this photoshoot will be on display in the on-campus gallery at Cal Poly Pomona during the month of April.  I’ll post more details as they come.

Our first stop was the Hollywoodland Tour, a “bus” tour that drove us through the different neighborhoods of Hollywood and pointed out the various stars’ homes and other hot spots where they might be seen. And, wouldn’t you know it, we had our second star sighting of the day. On the tour with us was a visiting Dallas Cowboy… #76… Flozell Adams. (Too bad none of us are real football fans, and didn’t really know of him.)

Next up, we headed over to Mann’s Chinese Theatre for a little “stargazing.”

Off to grab a quick bite… and I got quite a surprise. My brother called me with some BIG news. He told me that he had just asked his girlfriend to MARRY HIM!!! My friend was quick to grab my camera and snap a picture of me on the phone at the moment. (I still can’t believe that my “little” brother is engaged!!!)

After dinner we wandered around for a bit, shopping and enjoying the sights. And then it was off to our last stop of the evening: Madam Tussauds (Wax Museum). It was the first time that any of us had ever been there before, and we had an absolute BLAST! The figures themselves are spectacular. But the best part is that the whole place is an interactive experience. The figures are pretty much out in the open, and you are allowed to pose with them. There are even props to use in certain scenes. Needless to say… 3 girls, 1 camera and permission to play? WOO-HOO!

And I even got to indulge in my fantasy just a little bit…

I had a blast!  They were a fun bunch with a great look. I swear, they all could have been models! Or in a rock band. And you could see the love between them all, which is always a great thing to observe.

Here are a few favorites from the day: