Las Vegas, NV—For five days each year, professional and aspiring portrait and wedding photographers as well as videographers get together in Las Vegas for inspiration. WPPI 2022, held February 27 to March 3, 2022 at the Mirage Convention Center, gave them the opportunity to be a part of a community; gain strategies to grow their businesses; connect with friends; and hear from industry icons.
The premier industry event for wedding and portrait photographers/filmmakers, WPPI specializes in the professions’ creative and business aspects. The event combines educational seminars with a trade show and networking events. Moreover, all are designed around learning the latest techniques; building new relationships; and growing a business.
The educational program at WPPI 2022 allowed creators to learn superior technical skills and new shooting styles from the finest photographic instructors. The WPPI Expo gave them the chance to handle the latest gear as well as score show deals—all while networking. Attendees could even put their skills to the test and enhance their portfolios at pop-up studios with live models and top-of-the-line equipment.
Networking at Special Events
WPPI offered a full schedule of special networking events. For instance, they included live judging at WPPI’s Annual Print, Album & Filmmaking event; WPPI’s Honors of Excellence program; a Nikon Z 9 shootout; as well as image reviews.
WPPI’s Annual 16×20 Print, Album and Filmmaking Competition
Open to all attendees, thousands of entries were judged by world-renown professionals over two days. The live judging provided an invaluable educational experience for entrants and show attendees. As entrants advanced through the competitions, they achieved points toward their Honors of Excellence designation. Attendees could watch entries get evaluated while hearing judges’ feedback. Consequently, they learned what judges consider a winning image.
The most prestigious wedding, portrait and print competition, the competition culminated in an awards ceremony and gallery exhibition. Open to conference pass holders, the Honors of Excellence Award ceremony celebrated the winners from the 16×20 Print, Album and Filmmaking competition as well as the grand award winners in WPPI’s members-only First and Second Half competitions.
Nikon Z 9 Shootout
On March 1, conference pass holders could witness four photographers who were challenged in only a few minutes to create a unique work photographing tethered with a Nikon Z 9 on stage. They used the same model, equipment as well as props. This special event was sponsored by Nikon Inc.
Image Reviews
Attendees could also bring their images during the three-day event to receive a free, one-on-one, 15-minute review with a notable photographer. With nearly 50 reviewers, attendees had the opportunity to discuss visual trends, shooting techniques and postproduction.
WPPI Stage
In addition, the WPPI Stage on the Expo show floor offered a rich schedule of sessions on various topics. For instance, on March 2, attendees could hear from Sigma Ambassador Anabel DFlux as she divulged secrets for creating unique portraiture. DFlux gave step-by-step tips for creative lighting arrangements, subject posing as well as other in-camera magic.
What’s more, on March 3, 10-Minute Bridal Party Portraits was also sponsored by Sigma. In this demonstration, Michelle Harris revealed the five quickest poses and three must-have components to controlling a bridal party while capturing portraits clients will cherish. Moreover, Harris demonstrated a selection of Sigma Art prime lenses that will do the job.
Mini Summits
Beyond the educational program and sessions on the Expo floor, WPPI presented one-and two-day mini summits. These summits included the Baby Summit; Boudoir Summit; Postproduction Summit; and Wedding Summit.
Baby Summit
Elena Blair, Stephanie Lemmens, Natasha Ince, Sandra Coan and Amy Pearsall McDaniel shared their tips on everything from the best equipment to use for maternity shoots to posing newborns. They showed a variety of ways to wrap newborns for portraits as well as pose them in beanbags. They also provided ways to grow a newborn business with strong customer service.
Boudoir Summit
The first annual Boudoir Summit at WPPI 2022 was a one-day event. Attendees learned all-things boudoir from top industry talent, such as Shawn Black and Terri Hofford. The summit included take-home fundamentals to implement into business practices and feel inspired to try new things.
Postproduction Summit
Attendees expanded their Photoshop and Lightroom skills with an expert lineup. Morning classes focused on Lightroom. Afternoon classes revealed what’s new in Photoshop; new power tips; and a look at the workflow of high-end retouching. Attendees learned time-saving keyboard shortcuts; better ways of working with color; retouching tips; as well as how to use Curves to enhance photos. Instructors also showed new and little-known Photoshop features. 
For example, in The Future of Photo Editing seminar, Jared Platt discussed the latest updates to post-processing software. He took the audience through his fast and seamless process of retouching environmental portraits and intimate documentary images. He covered the latest tool and tips to retouching and editing photos with greater accuracy, higher quality as well as increased speed in both Lightroom and Photoshop.
Wedding Summit
This summit gave all attendees a one-month free membership to The Wedding School, a training program for wedding photographers. The program provides hundreds of hours of accessible, real-world training as well as downloadable guides and textbooks. Moreover, new courses are added monthly.
For wedding and portrait photographers and videographers in need of fresh inspiration, there was no better place than WPPI 2022. The annual event provided the opportunity to touch base with friends who have faced similar challenges and who shared solutions. They also got their hands on the latest gear and added some of the biggest leaders in wedding photography to their contacts.
