17,000 Wedding & Portrait Photographers Descend on the MGM
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Audiences eagerly listened to free advice from WPPI exhibitors.
Photo by Diane Taylor
My father was a very good amateur photographer. He came to his talent through his own father, one of the first professional photographers in St. Louis, Missouri. In the days before digital cameras, my father and his Rolleiflex recorded family, school, and neighborhood happenings. Once, he was asked to be a neighbor’s wedding photographer.
I remember Dad working in his basement workshop/photo studio printing 8” by 10” wedding photographs for weeks, it seemed. His pictures were unusual and wonderful, but he swore that never again would he take on the huge task of being a wedding photographer.
Fast forward to last week. I was reminded of my father’s wedding task when I visited the trade show portion of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) Las Vegas 2012 at the MGM Grand Hotel.
The full Feb. 16-23 WPPI event featured a photo and video contest, a large selection of classes for professional photographers, and WPPi U, a two-day workshop for those wishing to become professionals.
Today's photographs make their way onto coffee mugs, purses and even footballs, volleyballs, and soccer balls.
Photo by Diane Taylor
Wedding Photographers International was formed in 1979 and was geared to the “often overlooked” skill of wedding photography. In 1980, the organization held its first convention and trade show in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace with an attendance of 2400.
Realizing that many wedding photographers were also portrait photographers, the organization expanded its focus and its name in 1995. Today, WPPI members include all aspects of photography, including fine art, commercial and advertising. WPPI is part of the Neilsen Photo Group which includes a number of publications as well as the WPPI Las Vegas convention and trade show.
Pocket-sized point and shoot cameras were nowhere to be seen. This was a trade show for the professional or the very advanced amateur. Photographic equipment for the professional, studio lighting, backdrops, photo editing software, and a variety of ways to frame or otherwise display photographs were the all part of the show. Many of the exhibitors also used live presentations to demonstrate the capabilities of their equipment.
WPPI show attendance has continued to grow over the years, with the 2012 event expected to be the largest ever with an attendance of over 17,000 people.
(5 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5)
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On your front page, I found it simple to click on the term “read here” , which would take me to your articles. Why is this gone ? Also, when interviewing or listening to a salesperson such as that wonderful wedding photographer “consultant” , it would be so informative if you could type the words they are saying , as the background noise cancels out a high percentage of the words. In simple talk, I couldn’t understand them, even thought it is obvious what he is attempting to convey by just watching. As a consumer, I want to hear every word \ idea clearly.
Hugh,
Both links are still there. To read any article on this site, when on the front page, you can:
1) Either click on the headline (article title) or
2) Click where it reads “continue reading”
Mark
He’s talking about the “read more” that used to come along with the automatic emails of stories. I get those emails, too, so if I want to read Ellen’s articles, I must just click on the headlines. I, too, miss the “read more”.
I agree that it was difficult to hear the speakers in the video, but I thought people would get the point that lots of speakers were there even without hearing every word.
Wonderful post. A picture is worth than thousands words. Photography is indeed the best way to express your feelings and depicts the era. I love photography and look over the web for finding useful stuff for the same. I came across your blog and after subscribing in my feeder I hope you will keep on the good posts like this continuously. Thanks You