But I really wanted to go to WPPI and see what it was all about. So I asked one of my BFFs to come with me to Vegas. She is not a photographer, but she couldn’t pass up Vegas. So in a sense I went alone (since she didn’t have a pass) and faced my introvert fears. And talked to strangers. And made new friends.

Now WPPI is one of my favorite times of the year to catch up with friends from around the country.

WPPI is totally intimidating, especially for a first-timer. The bright, flashy lights, the thousands of people, and the newness of it all. I can speak from experience that as a natural introvert (I prefer small groups and 1-on-1 chats to BIG groups), the whole prospect of attending this huge conference freaked me out. Actually, going to a huge conference still freaks me out. But a funny thing happened the first time I went. I started to recognize the people I had met online on forums and Facebook. And with every hope of not seeming terribly creepy, I’d approach someone I “knew” and said, “Are you so-and-so?” Since we “knew” each other online, it usually cut the first meeting awkwardness. Kinda like that first date awkwardness. And the same would happen in return. I remember meeting a ton of people approaching me the same way. It was totally weird and awesome at the same time. Thank you social media.

Oh and then there are the parties. The BIG parties that “EVERYONE” is at. The parties that promise to melt your face off with awesome. I’ve been to some of those parties. And they are fun and crazy and probably will make your deaf before your face melts off. I encourage party attendance if it’s your thing. It’s your experience make the most of it.

My advice on being social…especially if you’re shy…like me:

1. Connect with other photographers online. Seriously. Make a new friend on Facebook that you know is going to WPPI and make a plan to meet up. Then when you meet in person, it’s like you already know each other. Since I used to live in California, I’m looking forward to meeting up with my friends from California that I haven’t seen in three years and catching up. A good friend of mine that now lives in Dallas was someone who I met on a forum, then met in person at WPPI. We reconnected after she moved here. You never know who you will meet and how they will affect your life.

2. Plan your trip with other local photographers…or photographers from across the country. Now that this is my fourth time attending WPPI, I don’t have a problem with sharing my room with “strangers.” It can sometimes be hit or miss, and I think it’s important to find people that you connect with at least initially. Most importantly, with sleeping habits. It’s probably not conducive to bunk with others who like to party all night and you like to sleep. I know it’s Vegas, but I’m totally one who likes her shut-eye. Also, if you’re going to be sharing a bed, make sure it’s someone you know. I’m bunking with my friend Lynn again this year.

3. Attend the parties with a friend or group of friends. Safety in numbers. Seriously. And of course, more fun. Two years ago, I attended one of the big parties with a groups of friends and there was an employee from an album company who wanted to get friendly with me. And wanted to dance with me. And wouldn’t leave me alone, even when I pointed at my WEDDING RING. Needless to say, I will NEVER use that album company. Also, attending these parties with friends allows you to share cab fare.

4. Meet new people. It’s probably inevitable to meet new people, but I suggest meeting at least two new people who you will continue to be friends with after Las Vegas. Or perhaps you have connected with some people online and they’ll be going to Vegas. Make it a point to meet up with them in person, over coffee, lunch, or drinks.

5. Don’t be afraid to say hello. I know, it probably sounds lame or obvious, but when you’re shy, a simple hello can feel impossible. But who knows, the person you say hi to, may be MORE shy than you. Just remember, you won’t make a connection with everyone, but you never know who you might hit it off with. Some of the best conversations I’ve had have happened in the hallways at WPPI.

6. Invest in relationships with the photographers you meet and hit it off with. This is definitely my goal this year at WPPI. I made the decision to not go to the BIG parties, and while I think about how I might feel “left out” or like I missed something or just plain uncool, I know that the time I’m spending with people who care about me and will remember me the next day is way more valuable to me. Instead of investing money into a party, I’m choosing to invest my time with people.

I get to Las Vegas in just 10 days! I’m excited and nervous but more excited.

Read Part 1: Prep | Read Part 2: Classes & Tradeshow

I told her there are generally three types of people who go to WPPI:

1. Those who go to learn.
2. Those who go to party.
3. Those who go to learn and party.

I like to think that I fall into that third hybrid category. I like to have fun, but I’m also going to Las Vegas to learn something. Sometimes, it’s things I already knew, other times, it’s totally new concepts. It must by my inner nerd. I like to learn!

So how do you figure it all out. What to do? What to see? What to spend money on? Here are a few tips.

1. Make a plan. Easier said than done, right? How do you make a plan if you’ve never been? Well, I suggest looking at the schedule of classes. Check out the topics, the speakers, and the class times. Trust me when I say that Vegas is exhausting, especially if you like to learn hard and party harder. Those 8:00am class times are killer. And unless I absolutely MUST see a speaker, are pretty much a pass for me. But I’ve learned that over time. I definitely suggest taking a look at what you think you might want to attend instead of walking in blind. I like plans.

2. Plan “must-sees”. So, you’ve taken a look at the speakers and classes. You’ve identified speakers you want to see. I suggest making a list with the dates and times. Set a reminder in your phone (but remember to adjust the time zone in case you’re not on Pacific Standard Time). While you may want to see everyone and everything, that’s just not possible. Unless you’re superhuman. Plan what you definitely want to see, and anything else will be extras. This year, Justin & Mary Marantz are on my must-see list. I missed them last year because I left on Wednesday and they were speaking Thursday.

3. Walk around the tradeshow without your wallet. Okay, so I don’t mean that completely. Well, kinda. My biggest advice for tackling the tradeshow is to go in with a plan. There are a TON of vendors, some with products I would never imagine existed. But the best way (in my experience) is to walk around the tradeshow with a plan to see certain products (such as albums, print companies, and bags), but without a plan to buy on the spot. Some of the sales people in the booth are amazing sales people and could probably sell snow to a penguin. So, walk around the first time and check everything out. Then, revisit the tradeshow and just hit up the booths you want to partner with. Also, you can attend the tradeshow without a full registration, and without paying (in many cases, vendors give out free passes to the tradeshow).

4. Don’t overbook yourself. I totally did this my first year. I wanted to see everything. I wanted to do everything I could. I went to classes. I volunteered to help in the Shootsac booth. I hung out with friends and we had a mini shootout. I was running around like a chicken with my head cutoff. And while I loved the experience, I was so exhausted that at some points I didn’t know what to do with myself. Set aside some time just to yourself. Get out and breathe fresh air.

5. Spend your money wisely. I know all the choices, bright lights, and doodads can be overwhelming. As related to point #3, be careful how you spend your money. Think about your purchases before forking over the cash. In addition to EVERYTHING going on just within the realm of WPPI, there are also photographers who offer workshops. Some are totally free, some are casual shootouts with a minimal investment and others are a good chunk of change (of course, that all depends on your perspective on money). This is actually the first year that I’m attending a workshop hosted outside of WPPI and I’m super excited about it. So, as with all things, make a plan, figure out if the workshop will help further your business, and invest with case.

6. Say hello. Yes. Say hello to your seat neighbor. Part of WPPI, and one of the best parts, in my opinion, is all the new friends you can make. I remember my first year. I was sitting in an 8am class, sleep-deprived, and trying to pay attention. Then, the guy sitting next to me introduced himself. While I don’t keep in contact with him, I still remember that they are a husband & wife team in Florida, and when I see their work featured on blogs, I remember that he was nice enough to say hello. To me. A total newbie.

So next time, I’m getting into the nitty gritty of socializing while at WPPI…including the parties and events.

Read Part 1: Prep.

Happy Wednesday!

1) My birthday is coming soon.

2) WPPI is almost here.

This will be the fourth time I’ve gone. It’s always such a fun few days (and exhausting!), but I know that for a first-timer it can be intimidating and overwhelming. What? Just me? Well, even if you’re not intimated by large groups of people that you don’t know, these are my tips for getting prepped for WPPI, and if you’re a Showiteer, Showit United.

1. Bring Business Cards – even if you don’t have a business card, have some made. You can get 1000 business cards printed at GotPrint.com for $10. You can also get less, like 250 for $8. Worth the investment? I think so. It’s cheaper than a “cheap” meal in Vegas. No excuses! Plus, you can use your extras to canvas your local Chipotles and enter for a free burrito. Well, maybe that’s just me.

2. Make a plan, but be flexible. I remember my first year. I wanted to do everything. See everything. Be everything. Of course, that’s totally not realistic, but when you’re excited anything seems possible right? And, I must note, there are three general camps when it comes to WPPI: those who are there to learn, those who are there to party, and those who are there to learn and party. I like to think that I fall into the third category. I like to party, but I also like to learn. And I like to sleep. I’m one of those rare people (my age!) who actually sleeps most of a full night while in Vegas. I like to plan out what classes to check out, but I’m okay if I end up running into a friend (or new friend, you’ll make lots of those) and we grab a bite or end up chatting away. Making connections with people is the best part about WPPI. The classes are great too, but having friends who can help you will definitely go farther in the long run.

via Travelista

3. Pack Light – I was Googling “how to pack light” a couple of months ago because I fall into one of two categories: packing SO light that I forget something or overpacking and the suitcase is bursting. I highly recommend packing light. Las Vegas is in the desert and it’s super dry. You’ll constantly feel thirsty and your skin will get itchy (okay, again, that may just be me), so be sure to dress in layers. It’s February, but in between walking through the casino, the tradeshow, and hanging out with people, you will get hot, cold, and maybe even a little sweaty. Check out this AWESOME post by Travelista.

4. Comfortable Shoes. I don’t know about you, but I value the comfort of me feet. I take it seriously. To all those who can rock out the heels all day, more power to you. I, on the other hand, cannot. I’m all about comfortable shoes. Especially if you’re logging at least a 2 mile trek everyday you are there. I don’t want my feet to hate me. Of course, there are parties and events, so be sure to pack shoes you can wear for a dressier event. But for walking the tradeshow – comfort is key.

5. Bring a Point & Shoot – Unless you are planning on taking a workshop, or know that you WILL USE your big, fancy camera, don’t feel the need to bring it. I recommend a point & shoot. But if you’re like me, REMEMBER TO BRING THE CAMERA BATTERY. In 2010, I totally brought my camera. But I did not bring the camera battery. Packing fail. Of course, with the way that cameras are now on the iPhone and Droids, you may not even need the point and shoot, but when it’s dark, the flash on a P&S is better. The thing about a Point & Shoot is that it’s way more portable than your DSLR, and when you run into friends at a party, you can snap a quick picture, like so:

With my friends from college & photographers, Daniel & Vaness Galang

photo from 2009 with David Jay

last year 2011, catching up with photographer friends from California!

6. Stay at the Signature Suites (not the MGM) – This is actually the first year that I’m staying at the Signature, but for the last two years, I have known how awesome it is. It is still part of the MGM Hotel family, but there are some great perks.

1. It’s smoke-free. You don’t have to walk through clouds of stale smoke to make it back to your room.
2. It’s casino-free. If you’re a non-gambler like me, you won’t have to walk through the windowless labyrinth.
3. It’s closer to the conference center. And there are moving sidewalks to help you get there. In 2010, I had my Nike+ tracker in my shoes, and the walk from the conference center (where classes and the tradeshow are) to my room in the MGM was about .75 miles. A round trip was 1.5 miles! Crazy.
4. Kitchens & kitchenettes. Food in Vegas is expensive. It’s easy to go to Vegas on the cheap, but nourishing yourself, not so cheap. I love that I’ll have a little fridge (the one-bedrooms have a full kitchen) to keep some things to eat.

7. Bring a water bottle. This was one of the BEST decisions I made last year. And saved me so. much. money. I’m a huge fan of water. And actually, I’m okay with drinking tap water. However, Las Vegas has some of the gnarliest tap water I’ve tasted. It tastes like metal. But, in the conference area hallways, the hotel has cold water dispensers, filled frequently by hotel staff (NOTE: I’m not talking about water fountains, though, those would work too). I filled up whenever I passed by and never had to buy bottled water. It was awesome. My wallet totally thanked me. You can thank me later. Purchase one on Amazon.

Next time, I’ll share how this introvert (yes, me!) went to WPPI with strangers.

I hope this helps! And if you have other tips, leave them in the comments!

For even more tips, check out Karen Stott’s post!

I had breakfast with my new friends Eugene and Heather Brown, fantastic husband & wife videography team from Nashville. As we were getting ready to leave, I saw Eugene take the receipt, take a picture with his iPhone and save it in Evernote. So simple, and yet, SO GENIUS.

I don’t know about you, but I have a wallet (and bottom of my purse) bursting with receipts. I hold onto them because I need to save them for business and accounting purposes. But now I don’t even need a fancy scanner for them, I can have a digital record on my phone, which also syncs online to my account in the Cloud and on my iPad.

FOR REALS. GENIUS.

Like, I wish I thought of it sooner.

Thanks Eugene & Heather! And be sure to check out their work – seriously, they are amazing behind the lens!

And because posts are always better with a photo, one from breakfast at Cracker Barrel!

And when it comes to winter engagement sessions, especially here in the Dallas area, it can be hard to pick out an outfit. I recommend that clients come with two outfits prepared, one a little more casual and one a little more dressy. Well, here are a few ideas for what to wear for you winter engagement session. My biggest piece of advice is to layer! That way, you’ll always be prepared for any kind of weather. And when in Dallas, be sure to check the weather, it could change at any minute!

Happy Thursday! And for those of you in DFW, stay warm, the cold front is here!

I’ve seen quite a few Facebook friends’ relationship statuses change in the last few weeks.

So what do you do next? Here are a few things I did right away:

I don’t think there’s a hard and fast rule, but for me, I bought wedding magazines. Cent proposed to me in Las Vegas, and I popped in the airport bookstore to grab a few magazines. I think it’s a right of passage, crossing the threshold from dating to engaged.

Tell the important people. Your parents, your siblings, your closest friends.

Talk to your fiance about the wedding. Just the two of you. Ultimately, it is your wedding and it should reflect everything that you want. Not your bridesmaids, not your parents, not your BFFs. Your wedding is just that, yours. What is your vision for your wedding? Long or short engagement? Large or intimate wedding? Outdoor reception? Church ceremony? Who will be paying? What’s a rough estimate of a budget? (and many more questions after that!)

Then, I started reading wedding blogs. Well, I started reading wedding blogs without feeling weird. Now, I was engaged and had good reason to! A former co-worker of mine had become a blogger for the now-uber-popular wedding blog WeddingBee back in 2007, so I started reading. And I got hooked. And felt totally weird because I wasn’t even engaged.

Here are a few of my favorite wedding blogs:

Southern Weddings
Wedding Nouveau
Green Wedding Shoes
Wedding Chicks
Elizabeth Anne Designs
Snippet & Ink
Grey Likes Weddings
The Knotty Bride
Postcards & Pretties

And I highly encourage checking out the blog links from each of these sites to discover even more wedding inspiration.

Then the planning can begin! Officially!

Check out  posts on what to do after the question gets popped!

Every Last Detail : Part 1 and Part 2

A Practical Wedding: Newly Engaged?

Glitter Weddings: Newly Engaged To Do List

Happy Thursday!

I hoped they wouldn’t remember me.

At least not as the awkward, squeaky girl who had a hard time saying she was a photographer.

The second time I went, I recognized some faces. I smiled. I listened. Some people who were easy to chat with. Who were there to catch up with friends and grab a drink. And they remembered me. Luckily, not as the squeaky girl.

I love my website company, Showit. They are so much more than “just” a website company. They provide me the tools to be myself on the web. They have an amazing online community of photographers and creatives. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

To foster that sense of community on a local level, Showit is launching its SHARE groups this month! And tomorrow will be the first global SHARE meeting, with special guest, Jasmine Star, and I’m hosting the local Dallas/Fort Worth meetup. So, if you’re a Showiteer and you’re in DFW, please join us!

Don’t be shy. We’d love to have you!

And if you’re not in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, click on the map to find a SHARE group near you.

Happy Tuesday!

With the new year, and with the intention of being more authentic on the blog, I wanted to start sharing my goals for the month, so that I can see what my goals are and by the end of the month (and year) I can see how much I have accomplished and where I can improve. To see what I’m capable of, and what I can do to improve my workflow. So at the beginning of each month, I want to take stock of what I have done, what didn’t get done, and what’s getting done next.

PERSONAL
- wake up every week day by 7:00am – as someone who is not a morning person, this will be a challenge!
- start the day with reading, reflection, and prayer – instead of worrying, I’ll be praying
- end each day with prayer of gratitude
- complete the January Challenge on 750words.com
- participate in the January Photo a Day challenge on Instagram. Follow along on your phone – my Instagram name is catieronquillo

BUSINESS
- review and revise the Simple Plan business plan
- host the first Showit Global Share group – this week on Wednesday at our house!- create a wedding guide for clients
- refine editing workflow system for 2012 – write down the system, work the system, stick to it
- get receipts in order…it’s that dreaded time of year.
- edit and share photos from a recent project – something good is in the works!
- blog everyday for the month of January – from thoughts, to advice, to photos, or an inspirational quote

I’ve got another post in the works for my 2012 goals and some BHAGs – Big Hairy Audacious Goals – and since I’m blogging everyday, gotta save some material!

What are some of your January goals? Leave them in the comments!

When I’m not photographing my own clients weddings, I love to pick up a few second shooting jobs. In fact, I hadn’t even realized it, but as I looked back on projects from 2011, I found out that I took on 20 weddings through second shooting. I highly recommend newer photographers who are thinking about getting into weddings to start with second shooting if you can. I think it’s one of the best ways to learn the ebb and flow of the wedding day and get comfortable with weddings.

How to find second shooting gigs

But how do you find the second shooting jobs? Sometimes easier said than done, right? I’ve received emails about this subject, and figured it needed a blog post.

Well, if you are like me and moved cities without knowing anyone besides her husband, the prospect of picking up a second shooting position can seem totally daunting. First, I recommend seeking out other photographers in your area. This is what I did. I connected with them on Facebook, or invited them to coffee or lunch, or left comments on their blogs. Social media makes it really easy to connect, but the key is to connect in person. Offer to carry bags or assist with lighting. Be willing to do what it takes to snag a job. You may be working for free, but you’re picking up experience. From there, especially if you click with the main photographer, opportunities will pop up. Let me say that it is WAY easier to pick up a second shooting job if you know the main photographer in advance and if they know you do great work.

5 Tips to being an AWESOME Second Shooter

So what makes you an awesome second shooter?

1. Check your ego at the door. For real. Being a second shooter is not about you building your portfolio. Well, it is, but your main priority is working for the main photographer. On days when you are the second shooter, you listen, follow instructions, and fetch things. Be ready and willing. Be helpful. Remember that this is also a learning experience for you. And remember, NEVER hand out your own business cards. Ask the main photographer for a few of their cards in the event that a guest asks you for one.

2. If the main photographer says “jump”, ask “how high?” Okay, this probably won’t be the case, but if the main photographer asks you to set up lighting, do it. If you are asked to grab something from their car, do the errand with a smile on your face. This is the main photographer’s client, and you are working for the main photographer. If you want to be an awesome second shooter, you need to be ready and willing to do whatever they ask. And do it happily.

3. Be psychic. Sort of. As you second shoot more, you’ll be able to do this more and more. Learn to anticipate what the main photographer may need. Sometimes it may just be a bottle of water or moving bags, adjusting the position of a light, or running to the reception space to get photos before guests arrive, but anything you can do to help, is greatly appreciated.

4. Take care of the main photographer. This goes hand in hand with the previous tip. Be sure to do whatever you need to to take care of the main photographer. Whether that’s having their back during the first kiss and shooting what you can, or getting out of the way (sacrificing a potentially awesome shot) so that the main photographer can shoot. If this is capturing the guys getting ready and some group portraits, do it.

5. Capture what you are asked to. As a second shooter, you are there to capture alternate angles and help out the main photographer (especially if there’s no additional assistant, which is usually the case). Don’t get upset if you don’t get an epic shot of the bride and groom. Photos for your portfolio are merely a fringe benefit. In addition to capturing what you are asked to, remember to shoot what you think would benefit the client’s gallery. Sometimes that might be a photo of grandparents or the bride’s college friends.

6. Bonus! DO YOUR BEST.  This may seem obvious, but it’s true. Whatever you’re doing, do your best. Put out your best effort and show your value to the main photographer. You never know how your efforts will pay off. Perhaps it’ll be that you get another second shooting job with that photographer, or if that photographer is booked, they could pass you some referrals. Never look at an opportunity thinking it’s worthless. You never know!

Happy Wednesday!

Photos from weddings with Phose Studios, Karyn Kelbaugh Photography, and Lynn in Love Photo, respectively.

For engagement sessions, I advise clients to wear their favorite accessories – whether that’s earrings, a special necklace, a favorite bracelet, or hair accoutrement. (That right there? That was me being fancy with words.) And what a better place to find inspiration for accessories AND outfits than Polyvore. And since I’m all about leaving the fashion to the fashionistas, these were my picks for great engagement session outfits with great accessories.

Whether it’s a casual date night look, or a dressier weekend away vibe, the number one key for dressing for your engagement session is to wear what you love, feel comfortable in, and brings out that extra sparkle in your eye. Because if you feel fabulous, it will show in your photos.

Have other advice? Leave it in the comments!