If I had to choose one couple who has surprised me the most over the past bit of time – in style, energy, and humor – it would have to be Kirby & Susan. Susan arrived to my studio in her sweats and house shoes, being uncertain of what to wear. She then opened her trunk only to have more stiletto heels and items in dry cleaning bags than I could have possibly imagined. I adored spending the evening with this couple and Susan’s sister Sarah – who is a riot. The group of them are the type that just welcome you into their history, inside jokes, and ultimately their family. We are a fantastic match and I enjoyed this crew tremendously.

Congratulations to Brian & Elizabeth! Although both live in Boston currently, they are Texans born and raised. It was because Brian was wearing a Texas Rangers baseball cap on the subway that Elizabeth walked right up to him and started a conversation (this after living in Boston for 8 months and meeting not a single Texan.) And so it was written for these two to be together. We had the most fantastic day for pictures up in Dallas and headed right over to the arboretum. Our experience at the garden was fantastic – we walked in, climbed all over everything, changed out in the open, and generally did everything you oughtn’t. Not only did no one take notice of us, but we also didn’t pay a dime. Thank you fortune! We ended the evening at a quirky little used book store in the Lakewood area. Such a great session with a couple I am so glad to know. Brian and Elizabeth – I can not wait for the wedding!

People have always told me that it is only with great risk that one accomplishes the greatest gain. That has been almost unbelievably true for me this past week. *Caution* : long story ahead – buckle up.

Every year about this time, the annual WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) Convention happens in Las Vegas. It is the biggest convention in the industry with 14,000+ photographers attending. Along with the teaching comes a mega tradeshow displaying all of the latest products. I have always known that attending WPPI would have to happen eventually. However, organizing my agenda, registration, hotel, plane, etc. seemed deeply overwhelming to me, and I have never been able to gather enough of my left brain to get out there. That is, until this year.

After attending all things Foundation Workshop related over the past 6 months and discovering what an incredible quantity of amazing people are in the photo world, my vision changed. The “I have to go to Vegas” became “I want to go to Vegas.” Really, I had such a great experience at Foundation Workshop 8 that it was more like, “I must go Vegas. Now.” And that is exactly what I did. At 2am on the Sunday of the Convention, I bought my ticket (thank you AA.com miles) and at 6 am left for Vegas. Less thinking and more doing worked in my favor this time around. Did I have a small panic attack on the plane? You betcha. Thoughts like: “This is crazy.” “What is wrong with me?! I just left my dog and am hoping someone can take care of her the next 5 days. She could die of starvation.” Those and numerous other such dramatic mental wanderings sent me spinning my first flight. Thankfully, I am a pretty good judge of my gut instincts and ultimately landed on, “this is supposed to happen, it will all work out, and enjoy.” Once reality set in that I was really doing this, the most delightful sense of freedom swept over me. A risky life is a good life.

I arrived in Vegas to the best roommates one could ask for at, essentially, a 5 day lock-in at the MGM Grand. One of my roommates in particular, the lovely Kirsten Lewis, preached the good news of the Finao scavenger hunt and convinced us all to form a team: Team Firing Squad. The scavenger hunt included 12 clues over the course of 3 days that had to be completed in 5 total. My first WPPI experience was more of a Vegas adventure thanks to the scavenger hunt. I am the better for it. Long story short: we had a hilarious time completing the tasks and oddly enough – won the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize included no less than $36,000 worth of incredible products (QuiKeys!), gift certificates (Finao, Seldex), VIP WPPI 2011 Registration (we meet again, Vegas), plus other rockin’ items. INCREDIBLE.

My investment of $100 on a plane ticket and $75 for hotel room (plus a load of Starbucks) returned one of the more hilarious and profitable experiences of my life to date. My encouragement to you all is to trust your instincts on being spontaneous – life is meant to be lived and that means pushing your own boundaries and comfort levels. I leave you with some images from our video submission. Happy living!

Clue #8 All 4 team members must be in one picture taken with the famous Las Vegas sign.

Clue #3 Get our own Thunder From Down Under to autograph a body part of one team member.

(The upper lip seemed to me exactly what Finao wanted with that clue.)

Clue #12 Get one of your team members to give us your best Elton John impersonation.

This poster was just an ad-on to the stop motion execution of this clue. Boom.

Our winning submission can be viewed here. *Please note* : if you are NOT into showgirls, bronze behinds, behinds in general, and overall Vegas-ness, this video may not be for you. You’ve been warned. :) Everyone else – please enjoy our hard work.

Of course, there were other things to do in Vegas at WPPI. One of the mega events this year was a little something called Airhorns and Lasers. This glamazon party was held in the Wynn at the Tryst – uber fabulous to be sure. Yes I was there. Here I am being there. Thanks Smilebooth!

To celebrate the big Finao win I hopped in the car with my dog and drove out into the great wide somewhere that is Texas, driving at probably (ok, definitely) illegal speeds, and let the strange and wonderful events of the past week and a half settle in. I have always been a city girl, but I am slowly beginning to understand why so many prefer wide open spaces. I leave you with my evening.

Many, many thanks to my team members – Kirsten Lewis, Olivia Brown, and Beth Fladung for being fantastic. Much gratitude also goes out to Finao, LLC for putting on the scavenger hunt and to all of the prize sponsors for making it a scavenger hunt worth going all out for!

Some brides are simple brides and some brides are extravagant brides. This particular client happens to be the perfect mix of both. Fortunate me! With designer heels by the tremendous Kate Spade and a gown that makes you want pass out it is so precisely tailored – this bride’s details are beautifully refined. Add to that a delightful attitude that knows perfection on the wedding day is perhaps not the most practical of wishes and you have the dream bride. She is light hearted, glamourous, and generally one of my favorites. We had a spectacular afternoon just playing and making images in the Villa at Laguna Gloria in Austin, TX. I am posting here just a few details from her bridal session for you to enjoy. The full portraits will come in late April. Hands appear to be the theme in this post – one might say they are the face of the arms. Might. I hope you enjoy this little preview at the week’s start.

And if you are celebrating – happy Pi day!

Foundation Workshop – I have so much to share about this experience, but for now, here are some of the images I shot during the 4 day workshop. My assignment was, as I am sure you can tell, a tattoo shop.