Photography by Brent Michael

Actually, I’m gone, but I’ll post a few of the photos I took before I left. And, someday, they’ll update the Flash Uploader so I can upload them more than ONE AT A TIME!!! It hasn’t worked since I updated Flash on my computers!

Scary, yes…just me sitting in a seminar…and yes, I got lei'd!

No, this was NOT my ad. OTOH, maybe it shoulda been….wonder if it worked?

Sure, entice me….

Trade show teardown…

C-ya! Yep, it's over!

My cell phone, that is. Here it is, the last day of the conference, one more session coming up, sightseeing later, then I fly out tomorrow afternoon. An exhausting week, but fun, and - my brain is full! Full of new ideas, new concepts, new directions, new hope for the new year. (Sorry, but all the parties & resolutions on NYE never did a thing for me as far as changing anything, perhaps because I need to really want changes, not just resolve to make them because everyone else is.)

More photos to come, for sure, dedicating today/tonight to getting shots I didn’t get in the previous few days. Well, it’s off to the final session and other stuff!

BTW, if you happen to be one of the two or so people reading this (Hi Mom! Hi Dad!), leave me a comment sometime! <G>

Okay, a few pix to fill the page!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rental car. Don't get one, they suck. Rides like a truck, awkward, my car has much more room. Designed for teens who want to look cool.

MGM Grand - This is where the conference is`actually happening, as viewed from my hotel room across the street.

We are staying in Hooters Hotel, so the downstairs restaurant is convenient, the fish sandwiches (& wings, of course) are great, and the ambience is pretty good too - delightfully tacky, yet unrefined!

Girls just wanna have fun!

Scenery in MGM Grand isn't bad either!

Friend Ernie, always on the phone. Another friend, Aaron of VHVideo.com

Another friend, Aaron of VHVideo.com

That’s where I am, WPPI Vegas, 10,000+ photographers, MGM Grand, I’m guesing 500+ exhibitors, just overwhelming! I’m working my way through the trade show, will have photos for the next post but right now I just wanted to get bonline and check the 1,300+ e-mails - mostly spam - I’ve received since Saturday! Sheesh!

Had a few friends at USF involved in putting this on, so I popped out to take some photos; all done outdoors, no flash, Canon 5D with 70-200 f2.8 IS L glass. BTW, I’m going minimal on my WPPI-Vegas trip, I’m only taking my 50mm f1.8 lens & one 5D body, and a single 16GB card in the camera. It’s not like I’m shooting anyone’s wedding…<G>

Darwin Day speakers

Rob chats with visitors

John makes his point

Entertainment too

John & Rob

Publicity is a must!

Soon, I’ll be leaving for the WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) Conference in Las Vegas. Here are a few shots from last time, which was in the Paris/Bally’s complex; this time, it’s at MGM Grand!

Of course, last time I drove out, so there was more opportunity to take scenic views on the way there…

Nick Vedros

Once you’re there, it’s a whirlwind of seminars and a huge trade show, plus networking opportunities with people you meet from all over the country/world, and a chance to reconnect with those you know but just can’t remember where from. (Nick & I recognized each other, but never did figure out where we worked together.)

Of course, the scenery in the hotels is pretty attractive as well. Not that I wasn’t taking photos for purely professional purposes, of course!

Once again, Bullseye Business Builders (http://www.meetup.com/Bullseye-Business-Builders/) sponsored an Open House at City Street Sweets, located on Snow Circle in Hyde Park. The theme, of course, was pre-Valentine’s Day, but that didn’t mean that hose lacking a recipient for gifts couldn’t indulge themselves!

Sign up for Steve's E-mail list, get coupons!

Gayle Santonelli, one of Bullseye’s organizers, did her usual great job of signing up passersby for the mailing list - and recruiting people to step inside and try the free samples of fudge and chocolate covered strawberries. (Yeah, a tough sell I know! <G>) But seriously, besides the casual walk-by visitors there were also quite a few who came because of the event publicity Gayle generated.

 Of course, City Street always has a couple of convenient tables outside for those who want to enjoy their chocolate or other treats outside.

Naturally, Steve had a few theme-specific items on hand for those looking to spice things up with out-of-the-ordinary treats.

Okay, on to work things I’ve been working on. One of my latest projects has been helping a local masseuse develop her business. She’s recently located in Salon Osiria, a New Tampa salon that offers full-service hair, facial, manicure, and body services. Joyce offers Ashiatsu, Esalen, Sports, Swedish, and Deep Tissue massage, as well as Trigger Point Therapy.

Naturally, I took a wide variety of both landscape and portrait mode shots, since we weren’t sure what would be used for what. Later I returned to take shots of standard massage and chair massage as well.