I’m sitting cross-legged at my computer, hunched over with my coffee and trying to summon the right words to represent my experience in Las Vegas this year.

Experience.

Because it truly was. This was my third year attending WPPI (the grand conference that photographers from all over the world pilgrimage to Las Vegas for each spring) and I loved it. It was, I admit, a little scary. This was my first time to WPPI where I wouldn’t be meeting up with anyone I knew. I’d be starting fresh and forced to brave the ocean of cameras, confidence, and rock-stars of the photography world alone. My stomach fluttered at the very thought of it. It felt like the first day of school…wandering in–books ready, pencils sharpened, and hoping not to get lost in the shuffle.

As I boarded the plane, I made a pact with myself. I was going to get uncomfortable. I was going to make plans, talk to strangers, ask questions, and really get outside my comfort zone. I have some BIG changes coming soon and I wanted to implement some life changes as well.

My lovely roommate, Tamara Lockwood, greeted me with some delicious chilled white wine. We chatted for awhile in our room before heading to see Ka (an amazing Cirque de Soleil show!!)

I spent the next several days absorbing knowledge, participating in impromptu hotel-room shoots, exploring, and photographing a benefit event for Thirst Relief (more on that later!!).

I came home feeling inspired, blessed, and honored to have met some amazing new friends along the way.

Some Instagram love (follow me @moonbellephotography):

 

And here are some real camera shots of our impromptu shoot in a hotel suite! We played with off-camera lighting, made a photobooth, and went nuts! Sooo much fun!

 

The beautiful Kristina Robinson modeled a gorgeous dress and worked the camera!

This is what it looks like when a group of photographers let loose in a hotel room! Awesomely messy/amazing/fashion shoot time!

And of course…the photobooth! Who can resist a pile of props and a camera? Ok ok…so maybe I got a little camera shy! But I was taking pictures!

And finally, my last night in Vegas–wandering through the city en route to a souvenir shop.

Even leaving Vegas is pretty…