WPPI is the largest gathering of wedding and portrait photographers in the entire world, and when that many cameras converge in the same place photo shoots are bound to happen. The subjects are sometimes “real” people (posing for engagement shoots or bridals), but usually they are local models. Between the photography conference and bunches of Valentines day weddings, it’s a tough weekend to rent a wedding dress (I know because we did it!).
A lot of the shoots are “group shoots”, with lots of photographers gathering around the same subject. What you see below is actually a shoot happening for a class my mom was taking (she is standing in the far left side of this photo holding the camera to her face). My mom flew in a few days before the conference officially started to take a class with one of the worlds best portrait photographers, Bambi Cantrell. I’m pretty sure my mom mentioned that Bambi photographed the family of Vanessa Williams once. The classes sound really fun, with a few hours of classroom instruction with the pro, and then some time with professional models attempting to re-enact the principles that were just taught in the classroom.
There were “brides” all over the hotel that weekend. They are basically living my dream of walking around in a wedding dress all day long.
The other type of shoots that occur aren’t associated with the conference in any way. They are organized by photographers themselves, sometimes with real couples/brides, but most often with local models. Some of these photographers look a little tired, which should be no surprise since they tend to party all night and then get up to take pictures at 6 AM the next day!
Photo by Daria Bishop
Most of the shoots are really conceptual, giving the photographers a chance to practice their technique. The photo below was taken by a photographer I met at the conference, Catie Ronquillo, and she went out with her friend to practice taking pictures using an off-camera flash.
The majority of these shoots happen in either the dessert, or a place known as the Neon Graveyard, seen below.
Photo by Amber Hughes
I love this saucy shot by Sarah Rhoads (who was almost my wedding photographer!)
And then, or course, there are the “brides”. If you were to take a walk through Vegas in the early morning or late evening during this conference, it is pretty much guaranteed that you will find a model running around in a wedding dress. Between the real Valentines day wedding couples, and the models posing as fake brides, I had no idea who to say congratulations to!
Not many photographers take pictures down on the strip because it is crowded and cluttered. Knowing that makes me love this shot by Chelsea Nicole even more!
Most photographers are willing to make the 40 mile drive outside of Vegas to these dry lake beds for some dramatic desert shots.
Photo by Raw Photo Design
The two photos below are probably my favorite “bride in Vegas” portraits ever. I love the set design (of course I would with all of those suitcases), and how elegant the model looks stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Photo by Victor Sizemore
Isn’t this amazing? I know I have a million-and-one photos of myself in a wedding dress, but how awesome would it be to have something so put-together like this? I’m in love.
Photo by Todd Pellowe
My mom and I were able to join a 6 AM photo shoot that another photographer had set up. I brought my little point-and-shoot and attempted to stay out of the way while the other photographers swarmed around me trying to get the best angle. The sweet model posing for us was deaf in one ear and it was her first photo shoot. She was really nervous, but she did a marvelous job!
I managed to capture a few pretty pictures myself!
Tags: photography, Travel
i especially like the last one you took jenna, from the ground up - it is so dramatic with the swirling tulle!
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The Neon graveyard is cool, I never really thought about where all the old signs would go but it makes sense.
I really like the second to last picture, has a very urban and kinda dirty feel to contrast with the white and virginal wedding dress and veil.
So is this an annual tradition? What do all the photographers do with all the pictures they take of models? Are they hoping to sell them to magainzes?
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Jenna Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 10:57 am
WPPI happens every year, and the photographers definitely get together and do these shoots every year. Most of htem don’t really do anything with the images. They just love to take pictures, and it’s really fun to get together and do it with your peers!
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Your shots are beautiful!
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I totally wish I’d had the chance to be a “fake bride” when I was modeling in Boston - I don’t know how it could possibly not be fun! I’ll bet a lot of the models were hired TFP (time for photos) - that way everyone involved gets new shots for their portfolios.
I’ll bet every photographer in attendance has some amazing new shots to add (whether of a real wedding or a setup shoot) and so do the models!
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Jenna Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
The model that we shot with was TFP. We found her on Model Mayhem.
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lindseytron Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Model Mayhem is a great site!
I was also on musecube.com and onemodelplace.com at the time and met quite a few fabulous photographers on there. I’m sure you won’t have any problems generating business, but have you thought about setting up a photographer account for yourself too? It’s a great resource for finding models who have a specific look or who are located where you may be traveling.
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I really, really love the two you took, Jenna! Especially the last one, as a PP said. You’re awesome. As for the Neon Boneyard/Graveyard (I’ve heard both names) I would kill to shoot there! Or be shot there!
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I love both shots but that last was is the money shot!
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Wow! I’m impressed! Your photos are lovely!
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This seems like such a wonderful time. Love the images in the desert, as well as your amazing photographs!
Also, I love the trunk that the white fur coat is being stored in. I wonder where I could find something like that? Hm, I’ll just keep dreaming
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what a fuuuun event to attend! i would love just getting to watch!
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Thanks for the shout out! It was great *recognizing* and meeting you! I’ll definitely be looking you up when I move out to Dallas this summer
WPPI is suuuuuper fun, hopefully see you next time!
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