Wow.  I can’t believe we’re one-quarter of the way into 2010 already!  It’s March and WPPI 2010 officially started in Vegas on Thursday.  Today I’m packing and then hitting the road to Vegas with friends and fellow photographers Rustin Michael and Jessica Conroy.  For those who don’t know, WPPI is a massive photography convention that happens every year in Las Vegas and is attended by thousands of professional photographers from all over world.  This will be my second time at WPPI.  The first year I went was in 2008 with my good friend Danny Baker of Epic Imagery.  It was one of the most educational, inspirational, and enlightening things I’ve ever done as a photographer.  It was just two months after my first visit to WPPI that I took a leap of faith and left my then day job as an I.T. Systems Engineer to be a stay-at-home-dad-slash-full-time-wedding-photographer.  It hasn’t always been easy, and great things never are, but it sure was one of the best decisions of my life!

In 2009, Danny,  another photographer named Christopher Glenn, and I attempted to go to WPPI.  ”Attempted” is the the key word here.  Unlike the prior year when Danny and I flew to WPPI, we decided to drive in 2009.  Unlike 2008 and this year, last year’s WPPI wasn’t in March, but it was a month earlier in February, and we had a a lot of winter weather that February.  As our carpool of three photographers was headed East on Pearlblossom Highway toward Highway 15, the main artery to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, on an otherwise clear and dry February morning, we noticed more and more vehicles coming at us from the opposite direction on the highway covered in snow.  By the time we got close to Highway 15, we were stuck in a huge snowstorm and the 15 to Las Vegas was completely closed due to snow.  There were cars lined up as far as the eye could see, which wasn’t far at all since the falling snow made it difficult to see more then a few yards.  After waiting for two or three hours, we decided to head back home.  2009 was the year I didn’t make it to WPPI due to snow in Southern California.  Can you believe it? It actually snows in Southern California!

2009 proved to be a great year in many ways, however.  I was honored to meet so many great couples whose weddings I had the privilege to photograph.  I’m always grateful when an engaged couple decides to put their trust and confidence in my talent and experience as a wedding photographer.  In May of 2009, I was given the honor of leading the Los Angeles chapter of the SmugMug Users Group, or SMUG for short.  SMUGs are communities of professional and advanced amateur photographers who meet monthly in different cities throughout the United States and are sponsored by SmugMug, which is the photo hosting and fulfillment company which I’ve been using and loving since 2004.

As the L.A. SMUG leader, I’ve met many incredible photographers and gotten to know some of the most talented and influential leaders in the industry.  I’ve learned something from each and every single one of you who has come to one of our meetings, either as a guest or as a featured speaker.  I also launched a new blog for photographers at f ō t ō r a c l e . c o m.  On f ō t ō r a c l e . c o m, I started a series of monthly interviews with industry influencing photographers titled “20 Question with f ō t ō r a c l e.”

I confess, I have a passion for learning and teaching.  I also have a passion for being inspired and inspiring others.  After my first visit to WPPI, I knew that I would one day want to teach and share with other photographers.  When I got home from WPPI I even told my wife, Megan, that I’d love to someday give a presentation at WPPI that would educate and inspire other photographers as I had been that week in Vegas.  In September of 2009, I was invited by PhotoSharpShooters to give a presentation on Facebook marketing to their photography group in Orange County.  I was so excited to teach other photographers what I learned about using Facebook and other social media to connect with brides, grooms, wedding vendors, and other photographers.  I immediately saw these peers of mine begin using the techniques I taught them as they started to network and market on Facebook.  A few of those photographers even sent me messages thanking me after they booked their first weddings from Facebook using the techniques I shared.  I love to help people succeed.

Now here’s the crazy Forrest Gump twist to WPPI 2010 for me.  I’ve been asked by Jeff Jochum, the Chief Marketing Guru at SmugMug, to give a presentation at the SmugMug booth.  Since I love everything about SmugMug and the L.A. SMUG, of course I said I’d do it.  Now here’s where things get loco.  I read through the names of the other speakers at the SmugMug booth this year.  The speakers that I would be speaking on the same stage as.  Robert Evans is on the list.  Yes, thee Robert Evans who photographed the weddings of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes as well as Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.  Did I mention that I’ll be speaking just before Robert?  How cool is that?  Bob and Dawn Davis are also on the list.  Bob has been one the biggest influences on my photography since I first heard him speak at WPPI.  His DVD, “A Master’s Approach with Bob Davis” is still the only wedding photography DVD I own.  I am sincelrey humbled and honored to be in the presence of each and every photographer and vendor speaking at this year’s SmugMug booth.  It’s such a privilege to be in the company of some of the most talented and successful photographers in America. Life is like a box of chocolates… indeed.

Here’s the speaker schedule for the SmugMug Booth #1518 at the WPPI tradeshow starting on Monday March 8th.

Monday March 8

10:00 AM to 10:20 AM Gustavo Fernandez

10:30 AM to 10:50 AM Peter Garr (who is this guy?)

11:00 AM to 11:20 AM Robert Evans

11:30 AM to 11:50 AM Michael Soo

12 Noon to 12:20 PM ShowIt

1:00 PM to 1:20 PM JVS

1:30 PM to 1:50 PM ShootDotEdit

2:00 PM to 2:20 PM Tofurious

2:30 PM to 2:50 PM Katie Humphreys

3:00 PM to 3:20 PM Scott Jarvie

Tuesday March 9

10:00 AM to 10:20 AM Jefferson Todd

10:30 AM to 10:50 AM Bob & Dawn Davis

11:00 AM to 11:20 AM Steve & Jenn Bebb

11:30 AM to 11:50 AM Bui Brothers

12 Noon to 12:20 PM Alex Garza

1:00 PM to 1:20 PM Michael Soo

1:30 PM to 1:50 PM Robert Evans

2:00 PM to 2:20 PM Dawn McCarthy

2:30 PM to 2:50 PM ShowIt

3:00 PM to 3:20 PM JVS

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM ShootDotEdit

Wednesday March 10

10:00 AM to 10:20 AM Tofurious

10:30 AM to 10:50 AM Katie Humphreys

11:00 AM to 11:20 AM Pepper Nix & Mitch Burt

11:30 AM to 11:50 AM Gustavo Fernandez

12 Noon to 12:20 PM Jefferson Todd

1:00 PM to 1:20 PM Peter Garr (again with this guy?)

1:30 PM to 1:50 PM Steve & Jenn Bebb

2:00 PM to 2:20 PM Bui Brothers

2:30 PM to 2:50 PM Alex Garza

One of the features I love about SmugMug is that all professional prints are made by Bay Photo right here in California and are some of the most beautiful prints I’ve ever seen.  All the prints I show in my portfolio and deliver to my clients are from Bay Photo.  During my presentation, SmugMug will be displaying a 16×20 Metal Print of an image from my portfolio.  I selected the image at the top of this post because it’s one of my favorites.  I love the simple beauty of the bride, Nicole, in the photo.  Her bare neck, shoulders, and ear just moments before she adorned those features with her wedding jewelry.  The sweeping curves of her face, ear, shoulders, and hair.  Her freckles, closed eyes and long, fan-like her lashes.  Even the single lock of her hair resting on her left shoulder.  I took this photo candidly and is a great example of how less is more and how you can get a great photo during the most fleeting moments.  I invite you all to come to one of my two presentations at booth #1518 to see this image displayed in a stunning 16×20 Metal Print courtesy of SmugMug and Bay Photo.

I look forward to seeing everybody at WPPI 2010 over the next 5 days!

“I just felt like running.” – Forrest Gump

Antelope Valley County Club
39800 Country Club Drive
Palmdale, California 93551

Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

The Vineyards
2525 Stow Street
Simi Valley, California 93063

I married Megan almost a year later

Last night Megan and I were at the Switchfoot/Third Day concert at the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine, and it occurred to us that it was exactly 5 years ago to the very day (Friday September 26, 2003 and Friday Septemeber 26, 2008) that we saw Switchfoot on our first date.

5 years later, Switchfoot rocks better than ever, and so do Megan and I…

It was a great concert. Thanks for the tickets Erin and Dan! And especially thanks to Megan for falling in love with me exactly 5 years ago at a Switchfoot concert!!!

Love never fails…

Bob planned the entire day, first taking Nikki on a dolphin watching cruise, and then having a beach side picnic at Heisler Park. I got to Heisler Park early and waited for Bob and Nikki to arrive. Nikki had only met me once, so the odds of her recognizing me were slim. I acted like a tourist, and since there were many other real tourists with cameras walking around taking photos of the beautiful park, the beach, and the ocean, Nikki never suspected a thing. She later admitted that she saw me, never made the connection and did assume I was just another tourist. LOL!

Oh, and she did say YES! Congratulations Bobby!

Heisler Park
Cliff Drive & Myrtle St
Laguna Beach, California 92651

St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church
500 South Central Avenue
Glendale, California 91204

Renaissance Restaurant
1236 South Central Avenue
Glendale, California 91204‎