I am excited to have this opportunity to appear as a guest writer on Keith’s blog this week. We recently attended a 5 days, 4 night stay in Las Vegas during the WPPI Wedding and Portrait Photography Convention and Trade Show. The purpose of this blog is to tell you about this trip and how muchI learned about photography and working with Keith.
What is the value in attending WPPI?
If you are an aspiring photographer, you shouldconsider attending this international event. WPPI (or Wedding and Portrait Professional Photographers International), is the world’s largest photographers convention that is held on the East, West Coast- Las Vegas, and Mexico.
If your goal is to learn more about photography in a mass educational environment, WPPI may interest you. WPPI is also an opportunity to network with other photographers, attend presentations and classes, and get introduced to the latest products and services available in our industry.
What did we do there?
I have been training as a photographer’s assistant with Keith for the last year. It has been a challenge to say the least. Even though I have a full-time job, he still demands a lot from his support staff. As part of my training, I travel and assist Keith with his workshops and projects. Currently, Keith isworking on a Project called “2212” with Las Vegas being the first of his 12 city trek across the country.
Since I manage the majority of his admin and research needs, I was asked to plan the first leg of our trip. The requirement was to find affordable alternatives for hotel accommodations, travel arrangements, and ground transportation. We did considered driving (as Keith does most of the time to Vegas), but found it more cost and time effective to fly.
The majority of our time in Las Vegas, we were out shooting for Keith’s project thus did notattend any WPPI classes. Nonetheless, we shopped at the vendor booths and saw many of the exhibitor’s presentations. This was valuable because it allowed me to ask questions about products that I was interested in and get answers directly from the vendors. Visiting the trade show exhibitions was a little overwhelming, because there was so much to see and do and in a limited amount of time. It did not take me long to get into the grove of things and really see the benefits of coming to such a well-known event.
As we know, tpeople have many choices when it comes to spend money in Las Vegas. To say the least, we definitely did not want to spend it all on hotel rooms or out gambling on “lady luck”. Having worked with Keith over the last year he always echoes: “Let’s be cost-effective on our projects and travel.” Therefore, he had me research the most affordable option available to attend WPPI and photograph North Las Vegas. I located the Stratosphere Hotel. The hotel is centrally located and newly remodeled off the main strip and close in proximity to both old and new Las Vegas.
About the cost
Rooms at the MGM Grand Hotel (where the convention was held) would have cost us $149 per night plus tax (and a possible resort fee). This could have resulted in an $800-1000 expense per room. Nonetheless, some people will opt to share rooms in order to reduce the overall cost. For us, that was still too costly. Instead, the Stratosphere Hotel was $40 per night (including tax) per room on the average.
Cost break down
RT Airfare SCK to LAS
$100
Stratosphere Hotel 4-night stay
$200
Shuttle To/From Airport
$16
WPPI Trade Show Registration
$35
Monorail To/From Convention
$50
Total
$401
Since we were centrally located between the main strip (North Las Vegas and South Las Vegas) we were able to travel by the Las Vegas Monorail each day to get to the convention at a cost of $10 per person RT each day.
Why did we stay off the strip?
One element of Keith’s project was to capture images that reflect the idea of “comparison and contrast”. I was amazed to see how he created images that captured some of the most recognizable landscapes while incorporating some of the worst. I’ve come to realize that photography is really about your thought processes; his is pretty interesting to see in action.
What are the drawbacks?
One of the drawbacks of staying at the Stratosphere was the $11.99 per day Internet use fee. Our solution? We found free WiFi at establishments such as McDonald’s and Starbuck’s.
The other drawback was the quality of food choices. The hotel’s food court consisted mainly of fast food. One local recommended we try a nearby Indian restaurant. We slurped with the bill running us about $50. Did you know curry is sauce made up of several spices? So, if someone says they are allergic to curry, be wary! Lol
Our food choices were totally motivated by price (and free WiFi!) Thus, anyone on tight budget or who loves fast food will do quite well. Unfortunately, affordable meant fast food such as Subway, Mc Donald’s, Starbucks, and local eateries in the area such as Mexican and India restaurants. We certainly would have considered alternatives had our hotel rooms had mini refrigerators, kitchens or had the neighborhood offered healthier options.
What did I learn on my trip?
An impromptu meet with photographer George DeLoache (Best Portrait Photographer for North America Kodak 2010) ranks extremely high on my list. Mr. DeLoache spent time with Keith and I (read about it here) and spoke about his passion for photography, the world of negotiating contracts, and making it to the fourth quarter with the goal of having left a legacy behind. Wow!
Also, there was Mike Stango of R.T.S. Inc. Mike represented his products like a true professional. Not only did he patiently show me the practical applications of how to use the tripod, he did so when the show was close to closing. Mike spent the time to tell me about every feature of the Cullmann Magnesit 525M tripod and how it would be valuable as a tool in my work. Needless to say, I bought it.
Over the 4 nights we were there, Keith and I shot about 8 hours per day around Central Las Vegas(walking). I got a chance to see how Keith approached his images and it was eye opener. On several occasions, he never took out his camera. Rather he had this look as if a mathematician solving an equation in this head. Then, we’d come back and shoot it. Ah, that’s what he was doing!
It is one thing to hear someone talk about a technique or an application, but it was something totally different to see him execute it (and execute it fast in an un-rehearsed). I definitely felt as if I was slowing him down at times during the trip. I learned a valuable lesson about creating images…thought process, thought process, thought process.
Bottom line: traveling can break your bank but it is more affordable than most people often think. My total expense for four days in Las Vegas was about $400 (not including the equipment I purchased at the trade show). I believe the point Keith is attempting to prove you can see the world and cost is really only a small fraction in the equation. Would I do it again? Absolutely! It was the best money I have spent on my photography career.
