WPPI 2012 Wrap Up! - Lindsay Adler Photography Blog

Yes, its been weeks and weeks since WPPI, but I haven't had a break since! So here is my wrap up to share with you all. Once I get through these hectic times I am going to start planning some more regular educational blog posts. 😀 Let me know what YOU'D like to see!

Since WPPI I've been to AZ, Dallas, Austin, Niagara Falls, and Northern PA for events... and next week its on to Northern NJ (Photo Northeast), Photoshop World in DC, then to Istanbul! I have the best job IN THE WORLD but I have been going non-stop!

WPPI Wrap up:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Ok, no it was just the best of times. WPPI is really one of my favorite times of year. I get to meet and connect with hundreds of people that share the same passions as me. I get to see friends I haven't seen in a year, hang out with awesome people in the photo industry, or meet 'online friends' in person. This WPPI was as crazy and busy as ever. I'm not sure I really ever stopped to breathe at all!

Top Ten Practices for Social Networking by Lindsay Adler, Millers Booth, WPPI 2012

There are really two main reasons I love events like WPPI (and WPPI in particular).

(1) I get to be inspired. I have the ability to not just see new work that inspires me, but also meet the people behind the work and hear their stories. Furthermore, I then get to hang out with and socialize with these amazing people like Sue Bryce and Jerry Ghionis. I've seen their work, heard their presentations, but then get to meet them as 'real people'. Its pretty fantastic. I am always looking for inspiration online from other portrait and fashion photographers, but this is always from a distance. Meeting these people really sparks a drive and passion in me to produce. The parties this year at WPPI were amazing. Whether a relaxing time to chat in a bar, or an amazing penthouse party with free massages, or a massive party in a club... it was all great because of the awesome people I got to hang out with.

Lindsay Adler and Sue Bryce at WPPI 2012 awards

This year at WPPI University (in Vegas before the big event). I got to speak after Jerry Ghionis and the morning before Sue Bryce among other incredible incredible photographers. That alone is an honor, especially in front of 500 or 600 people. To top it all off, I was invited to speak on a panel of photographers for "This Week in Tech" with an incredible line up of photographers. We talked about the role of technology in photography and whether it is a benefit or a menace, and everything in between. You can check out the links and chat for TWIT here.

Lindsay Adler and Jerry Ghionis at WPPI 2012 awards

Finally, I also went to the WPPI award ceremony. This was the first year I entered, and I only entered in video category. I loved watching the awards ceremony because THAT is inspiring. I get to see amazing work, incredibly unique approaches to photography, and it makes me want to push myself harder. In fact, one of my resolutions for 2012 is to look at the categories of the competition, give myself deadlines, and push myself to produce in these categories. We'll see how it goes! Anyway, I entered three videos, and I placed in first and third! I will post the links to these videos in the next few weeks... but honestly I was STUNNED! My videos were wacky and edgy and I didn't think I would win. I found out later that my first place video actually got a perfect 100 score!!!! I can't wait to share it with you all. As you know, I get up in front of hundreds and even thousands of people regularly, but when I won this award it was the first time I really was embarrassed and didn't know what to say. If you know me... I never don't know what to say. 😀 Well, I got up there, confused, surprised... and thanked everyone for not thinking I was crazy because of how wacky my work can be, particularly the winning video. 😀 I was a bit silly, but very happy, in front of 2000 people. 😀 Looking at other people's work during the awards truly got my urges going to produce more work, and better work! Furthermore, amazing people like Dawn Shields inspired me to think of ways that I can use my photography to give back to the community and those in needs. She is a person with as much heart as she has talent... A LOT!

Lindsay Adler receiving 1st place award in the video category at WPPI 2012 awards

: Lindsay Adler and Dawn Shields at WPPI 2012 awards

(2) I get to inspire others. When I teach and share, I seek for people to come to me and tell me I inspired them do push themselves in some way. That's my goal... to help people push themselves creatively and also provide guidance along the way. Perhaps I inspired them to try a new technique. Or maybe one of my images inspired an idea for a shoot. Or maybe I just inspired someone to truly pursue their passions. That's what I aim for in my classes... to inspire not to instruct necessarily. For example, in my Creative Retouching class (sponsored by Adobe) I taught a variety of the creative techniques I use in Photoshop. I wasn't trying to teach buttons or specific processes... but instead how to use Photoshop as an extension of your creativity and to allow it to open up even more creativity possibilities. I had a full house (400+ people) and was pleased that many people said I achieved my goal-- to get people to see Photoshop and creative techniques as a way to extend your expression and vision.

I just want to make sure I take a moment to thank everyone who came to my classes. I really enjoyed my platform class for Fashion Flair, and feel like it had a great response! So... thank you!! I taught all over the place! WPPI University, a master class on Photoshop and my own Platform class on Fashion Flair. WPPI is an event filled with passionate people looking to learn, and I am honored to have been part of their WPPI experience! I had the opportunity to meet literally hundreds of great people. They asked me lots of questions about photo techniques, equipment, ideas and more. We chatted about life, inspiration, our dreams and plans for growth. Its a great way to start the year to inspire myself and share passion with others.

I always want to grow. If I'm not learning or improving, I feel I'm falling behind. If I learned anything from WPPI this year, its that I need to shoot even more. I am always the one telling people to shoot... but I need to shoot even more. Give myself projects, goals and deadlines. I need to look at more art, more photographers and to push myself just like I push others. So to all the other teachers and photographers I met, thank you for encouraging me to push myself!

I launched my first DVD at WPPI on Creative Studio Lighting techniques with Photoshop Cafe!

I wore lots of fun shoes this time around at WPPI! Also, during the last day of WPPI I went out into the middle of the desert to shoot my episode of FRAMED. I will be sure to post a lot more photos, behind the scenes and the video when it airs!