WPPI Seattle Road-trip | Portland Wedding Photographer

It finally came! WPPI hosted a road-trip stop in Seattle, so how could I pass up the opportunity of checking out this fabulous workshop of incredible speakers. As soon as sign-ups opened, I enrolled in the program and eagerly waited for the months to pass. As Sunday night rolled around, I anxiously packed my bag and set my alarm for a very early 3:00am wake-up. As those shrill beeps woke me from a restless slumber, I was jumping for joy that today, I would be going to WPPI. To make the experience EVEN better, my good friend Angela from Diamondheart Photography was coming with me! 


So, we braved the 3.5 hour drive from Vancouver, WA to Seattle at 4:00am. As the we watched the sunrise over the outskirts of Seattle, our excitement grew. We parked and walked the few blocks to the hotel. Pike's Place was surreal in it's lack of noise. With no hustle and bustle to be found at 6:30am, this quintessential marketplace was something out of a movie. Pink sky melted into orange as the sunrise slowly warmed the space around us, we watched in awe as Seattle came to life.


Coffee in hand, we made our way to the convention hall. We had arrived! This thriving ballroom full of hope and opportunity awaited us with peers, who like us, see and experience the world through the lens. I realized in that moment that I truly am a photographer. I realized that despite all the plans I thought for my life years I ago, I was here and happy with what I do. All my dreams of one day being successful were realized; that I was not only a professional, but also one who took the time and pride to nurture my craft through events like this. 


Of the presenters and artists, Dawn Shields really inspired me. She is a successful photographer and magazine owner. Her love of "all things wedding" bonded her with me instantly. She is such an inspiration. She really helped me to realize that my focus market needs to be specific. Dawns information on submitting "real weddings" to magazines was super valuable and I am eager to start submitting. Most importantly, she expanded on the idea of doing "personal projects". These are the types of things that keep us as artists alive, challenge us, and help us to grow. I couldn't help be think of this past year and my own struggles with Leo, and how my personal projects about his precious life had truly changed me. I have committed to continue Leo's personal story through my lens and writing, and am excited at the opportunity I have to tell his story. I want to say THANK YOU to Dawn, for her inspiration and honesty. 


And of course, Jasmine Star was incredible. I tuned into her week long online workshop through CreativeLive as she showed us her entire process start to finish of how she photographs a wedding. The experience was one of a kind and so amazing that I purchased the CreativeLive workshop so I could watch it again and again. After a week of watching her every move, here Jasmine was, in person! We waited patiently for our turn in line to get our picture taken with her, and to shake this amazing artists hand. As I stood there, I thanked God. I thanked God for all He has done for me and my business. I thanked Him for the experience at WPPI and the growth it would add to my life and professional career. I walked away from that meeting feeling free, alive, and so ready to grow my business.

Thanks Jaylena for this awesome pic! 

Jasmine's presentation was just as amazing as the past week online had been. Her inspiring story of how she got her start, from where she is today is such an amazing accomplishment. More importantly, she showed me that anything is possible in this industry. Her branding and marketing methods are genius. I'll be putting them into practice ASAP to say the least. A HUGE thank you to Jasmine Star, for not being afraid to be honest, and for KEEPIN' IT REAL. I feel forever indebted to the information you gave us and the experience in hearing you speak. Thank you for your outward expression of faith and your love for LOVE. 

WPPI Seattle was a great success. I am so thrilled that I got to experience it with a great friend. We met some great people and I cannot wait to go to WPPI in VEGAS!! I know that it is going to be awesome!

...And now I am off, to do not-so glamorous things, like grocery shopping with my three year old in the rain.... Until next time... Blessings and Love!