WPPI, the premier photography conference and expo held at the Mirage in Las Vegas, NV, is coming up this Sunday, March 5 through Thursday, March 9. I’ve heard that WPPI is just like summer camp for wedding and portrait photographers and videographers—with seminars, masterclasses, photo walks, image reviews, product demos, a trade show, networking events, parties, and more. It’s super-concentrated education in business and craft, and this year, I’m going for the first time and will be sharing my reflections as a WPPI newbie for Rangefinder.

Now that I’ve completed two blogs for The Portrait System—Get Ready for WPPI! and The Portrait System at WPPI—I’m ready to get ready! I’ll be sharing tips from my recent blogs here as I make my final to-do list before I really get into getting myself together for this exciting adventure. Make sure you go and check out those blogs for info on what to expect as well as recommendations on what to bring, where to stay and eat, and what to see and do in Las Vegas during WPPI. Here’s my plan:

SEMINARS: I’ve already prepared a list of what seminars I want to attend, but I need to revisit the Class Schedule and write down all the locations and print out that list, so I can keep it handy in my pocketbook. I think this will help me be more flexible in the moment as I make my last-minute decisions on which of these amazing workshops to attend.

[Read: Barkha Agarwal’s High-Fashion Maternity Photography]

SHOW FLOOR: I’m also going to print out a Map of the Showroom Floor. I know I’m going to want to talk with vendors, check out the deals, and sample the wares. I want to make sure I have a map in my pocketbook just in case I need it to find my way around or encounter someone else who needs help getting oriented. Can you tell I was a Girl Scout?

REVIEW THE OVERALL SCHEDULES: I won’t know what to pack if I don’t know what I need to wear and when, so I’m definitely going to be reviewing the 2023 Quick Guide to WPPI and the Nighttime Events and More to see which events have special dress codes—Totally Rad 80s Costume Party, anyone? And I need to consider how many of the parties I’m going to realistically make. I admit, I’ve long been known to overpack, but this time, I intend to only bring a carry-on. I need room for snacks because y’all don’t want to see me hangry or listless between sessions.

[Read: Fujifilm at WPPI: Frame.io C2C Tech, Opening Party & More]

You can definitely expect to see me cheerful with bells on at The Portrait System’s Touch of Glam Cocktail Party on Monday Night in the Grand Ballroom. I’ll be at the door checking people’s memberships and signing up new members at a special WPPI-attendee discounted price. Feel free to stop by and ask questions about what’s included in the membership. Erin, Ella, and I will be happy to share all that information and get you signed up so that you can go in, enjoy the glamour, and take advantage of two DIY shooting bays with Oliphant backdrops.

NOTETAKING: I’ve been meaning to upgrade my phone for nearly a decade now and realized WPPI was just the occasion for it. That said, I’ve got to figure out how to take notes on this baby. I’ve already worked out how to airdrop my images straight to my laptop, which will help tremendously for the articles I’ll be writing each night. There must be a way to do some simple notetaking on it, too, right? I’m sure I’ll have a minute to figure it out. Maybe on the plane!

I’ve been meaning to upgrade my phone for nearly a decade now and realized WPPI was just the occasion for it. That said, I’ve got to figure out how to take notes on this baby. I’ve already worked out how to airdrop my images straight to my laptop, which will help tremendously for the articles I’ll be writing each night. There must be a way to do some simple notetaking on it, too, right? I’m sure I’ll have a minute to figure it out. Maybe on the plane!

SEE OLD FRIENDS, MAKE NEW ONES, AND HAVE FUN: Well, at least in this area I’m already ready! I had such a blast visiting The Portrait Masters Conference last Fall, and I’m really looking forward to seeing many of the wonderful friends I made then. I have a feeling that I’m going to meet just as many inspiring, talented entrepreneur artists at WPPI. And the fun? We’re going to be hanging out on the Strip in Vegas… how could it not be fun?

LET’S DO THIS: Now that I’ve got my plan for making my plan to get ready, I think I’m really ready to get ready now! If you haven’t yet scooped up your $99 ticket to WPPI with the code FLASH99, what are you waiting for? Whether or not you attend this year, I hope you’ll check back into Rangefinder for my ongoing reflections as a WPPI newbie. And whether you are a WPPI newbie like me, or a veteran, I look forward to seeing you, meeting you, learning with you, and having fun while we do it.

Navigation Quick Links

Here’s your quick list to all the links you need to plan your WPPI schedule: 

• 2023 Quick Guide – Agenda at a Glance 
• Class Schedule 
• Conference Speaker Bios 
• Map of the Show Room Floor 
• Sign Up for Image Reviews 
• Nighttime Events and More 
• “The Portrait System at WPPI” Blog