I know you’re not surprised that it’s a week later that I get around to WPPI wrap-up. I mean, that trip was INTENSE! It definitely took a little recovery time. Now that the we’re settled back home, I have my wits about me and can finally form rational thoughts about the week.

Hanging out at the booth was incredible. I had lots of photographer friends, new and old, come by to chat. Honestly, this was one of my favorite parts of the week. Some of you told me about cool ways you use MpixPro products, and others just wanted to chat it up. I loved both. I was happy to see how packed the booth was pretty much nonstop for three days.

The scariest part was speaking in the booth. I’ve taught for many years, but SPEAKING – that’s a different thing altogether. I get nervous when I talk. Leading up to it I was a mess until I started thinking about it as a fun conversation with friends. That actually helped a lot. My friend Louis Torres stopped by the booth and snapped some shots of me, so I thought I’d publicly thank him and put one of his shots of me making a silly face on here. Oh, and check out his site for wedding photographers. Thanks Louis!

Another favorite part was seeing some super photographers and industry leaders speak in the booth. I got to see bits and pieces of everybody and learned a ton (especially from Dave Cross – man, that guy’s gooooood!). Here’s Arden speaking in the booth to a great crowd.

If there was a singular favorite moment I had in Vegas, it wasn’t the yummy meals or parties (though they were crazy fun), it was this memorable end to Bobbi and Mike’s talk (see her post about it here). I love her so much, and (as much as anybody could) know her so well, so I wasn’t surprised when she asked her audience to sing Happy Birthday to her mom. So cute! I shot video for her to send to her “Momba” Aw, it was precious.

If you didn’t get to go to WPPI this year, I’d definitely recommend it for the future. Not only do you get to touch and feel amazing products that you can otherwise only see online (hello, metal mural!) and learn from the best in the business, you also get to meet lots of fun photographers in the process.

What were your favorite parts of WPPI?

Here’s to Vegas (baby),
Dale

P.S. I have to put up this cute shot of Mike, Bobbi, and me.  FUN!

The booth has been a blast so far here at WPPI! There is a certain excitement I can feel when I walk into the booth and it’s because photographers are going bonkers over the new products MpixPro has developed.

Here’s the calm before the storm:

At Imaging USA there was crazy buzz of the metal murals and metal prints; even though this is still a hot item (and the metal print is still my super favorite MpixPro product) all the rage is over a couple new press products and the canvas gallery collection. No joke, they’re amazing!

What new press products, you ask?

Let me just show you!

The Wallet boxes are RI-DIC-U-LOUS!! They’re such a smart product and have a great price point. I think the reason photographers are talking about them so much is because it fills a definite need photographers have and they’re SOOOOO cute!!!

Also, the accordion book is a MEGA-STAR!

I think they’re going to have to have some more printed and shipped to WPPI because these super products are disappearing – a sure sign that everybody loves them. Ha ha!!

Lastly, the mini-accordion books are HOT! They’re magnetized so they can actually stay closed, they can have a custom cover, and you can order them in SINGLES! SHUT UP! I can think of about a hundred different uses for these. We’re going to start selling them to our boudoir girls right away!

I’m going to post a WPPI wrap-up blog soon, and I have some fun shots to show, so stay tuned!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

Hey everybody!

In anticipation of WPPI, I’ve interviewed the MpixPro booth speakers so you can get to know them just a little bit better before their presentations.  Of course, you probably already know them. Because we’re running a new post each day, make sure to come back tomorrow.

I first met Arden early 2009 when we were both on the MpixPro focus group.  We sat together during lunch and chatted about our respective markets, and I could tell even then that she had a high fashion style to her photography. Check out more about Arden below.

1) Advice for photographers who are attending WPPI for the first time
People always ask me for advice for first timers to WPPI. Set a budget before you go. The first time I went,  I went crazy buying so many things because they were the latest and greatest and I was caught up in the excitement of the show. A better plan is to go with a shopping list of items you have researched and are really interested in or truly in need of. Wait until you get home to make any large unbudgeted purchases. The number one goal for any business is to make a profit. It is easy to get wrapped up in the atmosphere and spend all your money on cool new tricks of the trade. But ask yourself if this latest purchase will improve your bottom line. If it won’t, you should probably walk on by.

2) Without giving too much away, what’s your talk gonna be about at the MpixPro booth at WPPI?
I like to help businesses get the most from each client and most of my speaking engagements are focused on that topic. I try to help business owners see how they can take their initial consultation, turn it into a sale, and then transition that sale into a long term loyal customer who would not dream of taking their photography business to anyone else. I also teach how to get those loyal customers to work for you through referrals. And most importantly, I teach how to get more money out of the initial sale. WE can all use a little discipline in this area; in a tough economy what you up sell will really effect your bottom line at the end of the year. Make products so irresistible that the customer can’t imagine life without them.

3) You radiate fashion.  How did that start and how does that influence your photography style?
Dale, I am so flattered that you think I radiate fashion. What a compliment! Thank you so much. In the business of photography, image is everything. Our clients are buying into an experience for their wedding day and I am part of the whole package. I like to reflect a classic,  polished, and refined image at all times. Fashion greatly influences me. I actually find more inspiration in fashion magazine ads than I do in anything wedding related. (With the exception of bridal fashion week in NYC! Then I am in heaven!) My favorite ads this year are Ralph Lauren ( http://www.ralphlauren.com <http://www.ralphlauren.com/>  ), and Dior ( http://www.diorcouture.com/dior4.html ) I recently started paying attention to Hermes and Carolina Herrera. These are brands (http://www.carolinaherrera.com/) <http://www.carolinaherrera.com/>  I am just starting to follow them; their websites alone are inspiring.

4) MpixPro has some pretty sweet products.  What do you love?
Well, Mpix Pro Rocks! What I  love the most are the people behind the scenes. Now that I have met the team that drives this company, I have found a new respect for the printing industry. So many factors go into delivering an awesome final product. There is a heart behind the customer service they provide to me! I email at all hours of the day and night and I always get a speedy response. Aside from the customer service, I would rank my favorites:
#1 Gallery Wraps: These are beautiful and an easy sale.
#2 Framed Prints: Mothers of the bride love these. Simple,  easy, and ready to hang straight from the box.
#3 The new gallery mats are growing in popularity with us and may quickly become our number one.

5) Do you have any unique uses for MpixPro products?
My uses: Mpix products are a huge asset in how I market to my business. I’m not sure if this is unique or not, but it is practical. I am all about common sense smart business decisions and Mpix is the perfect match for that!

6) Outside of photography for a second… what do you love to do?
I have a new hobby outside of my photography: horseback riding. I started in October and I am hooked. The time I spend riding gives my mind a break from business and it is very therapeutic to work with animals. I also like to travel and hope to do more of that this year!

7) Best advice or words of encouragement for a new professional:
Best advice for newcomers: Set goals, manage your time well, and love what you are doing; it will show in your work. The first year of business can be amazing and challenging at the same time. Learn from your mistakes and build on  your positive client relations. Be sure to smile a lot. That way people will smile back at you for their photos. Network, Network, Network.

Below, I’m going to put some of Arden’s favorite images up.  Make sure to come back tomorrow for our next feature!

Talk to you soon,
Dale

We have a special treat for everyone attending WPPI next week in Las Vegas. Shannon and Stephanie Smith of 831 Photography will be in the MpixPro Booth (#611) sharing their secrets to growing your business by using Zenfolio.

And if you missed it, Zenfolio has a new launch just in time for WPPI. They have a very exciting announcement, definitely check it out!

Hey everybody!
One of my favorite things about going to tradeshows is that I get to see all my photographer buddies. One of my favorite, lively photographer friends is Carey. She, like me, gets to hang out in the booth and chat with photographers. If you happen to have questions about MpixPro, she is a great person to talk to; if you already know everything you need to know, she can entertain you with fun stories like photographing Jason Mraz (my absolute favorite recording artist) or how she got bumped to first class because of her twitter account! Check out Carey’s interview below, and be sure to peruse her favorite images at the bottom of this post.

1) Advice for photographers who are attending WPPI for the first time:
Don’t feel like you have to buy stuff! If you really have stuff that you want to buy, make a list, and look specifically for that stuff. Other than that, set a budget for “impulse purchases,” and try to stick to it! There will be a LOT of snazzy-lookin things on the expo floor, and it’s very very tempting. If there’s something you’re DYING to have but didn’t plan on buying, ask the booth workers if they have any show specials that are only good at the show (ask them if you can get the special once you get home, too). If there’s some AWESOME too-good-to-pass-up special, think about buying it. If not, write it on your “wish list” and think about it when you get home.
Bring some business cards, but even better, get the iPhone app called “Bump” so you can easily swap contact info with folks instead of stone-aged business card sharing.

2) Without giving too much away, what’s y’all’s talk gonna be about at the MpixPro booth at WPPI?
Sorry, that’s classified
OK, a tease: I’ll be talking about how I structure my business with a “digital model” so I can reduce post-shoot work to generate income. It’ll be great for photographers who want to have a successful part-time family-friendly business.

3) You seem to be featured all over the place–tv, magazines, etc. What advice can you give to pros seeking Carey-esque levels of publicity?
Carey-esque… HA! That’s funny. I got my first media break by donating a free session to a local military family through an organization started by “the most listened-to radio show” in San Diego. I did the session and went on the air with the family and the host to talk about the pictures and the family. With that under my belt, I pitched story ideas to local TV shows, offering to come on the morning news and do segments on photography — how-to segments, mostly. Getting that media attention helped pique the interest of my favorite lab (MPIX, DUH!!!). Even without media exposure, though, folks can still get the interest of vendors by meeting them in-person at tradeshows (WPPI is the best). Be sure to figure out who the big boss is at the booth, be positive, and tell them how you’d love to help them create some great samples or print ads with your images. Follow that up with emails & image submissions. I got that first “Mpix Rocks” ad (the one with me & a family on the beach in the background) because I went out and CREATED the image — without being asked for it! I enlisted the help of a friend (Zak Schwank) and his adorable family to hit the beach & create those images. I had emailed the boss-folks at Mpix telling them I was going to do this beforehand, and the response was “oh, ok…” But once I got the images to them, they loved it, and the ad ran a few months later!

4) MpixPro has some pretty sweet products. What do you love?
The blank DVDs! Every one of my clients gets one. LOVE ‘em! So much better than inkjet, lightscribe, or labels (YUCK!)

5) Do you have any unique uses for MpixPro products?
I’ll talk about that during my talks at the booth… stay tuned!

6) Outside of photography for a second… what do you love to do?
Wife & mom duties are WAY more fun & important that photography. I mix photography & family sometimes by doing awesome shots for my son’s soccer teams (I made a slick website for his last team — that was fun!). For myself, I play on an indoor soccer team called the “Hot Mamas,” and trust me, we’re HOT!

7) Best advice or words of encouragement for a new professional:
Don’t spend hours on forums, and don’t stay up til the wee wee hours of the morning comparing yourself to other photographers out there on the web. That’s called “I-Suck-itis” and it’s a chronic condition that can be treated. Oh, and when you’re making a website, INCLUDE YOUR CITY/METRO-AREA on there somewhere (preferably in the html title). I can’t even count the number of photography websites I’ve seen that don’t have ANY info on WHERE they ARE! Sometimes, they’ll show a phone number, so I Google the area code if I’m curious, but COME ON, how do you expect to get clients if they don’t even know WHERE YOU ARE!? OK, one more: don’t include any shots on your website that aren’t jaw-dropping perfect & in focus. Quality over quantity!

Check back tomorrow for another fun interview!
Talk to you soon,
Dale

Hey everybody!

Today’s interview is with one of the most creative people I know. Jamie is not only a great photographer, but a talented designer. She has created many templates for MpixPro products, all of which are super yummy!

1) Advice for photographers who are attending WPPI for the first time:
My best advice for photographers attending WPPI for the first time is to go into the experience with an open (and well rested) mind. There is so much information available and it can be quite overwhelming. Just carry a notebook and jot notes throughout the week and take time to process it all when you get back home. Also, keep in mind that some of the most valuable information you may gain might come from the people you are surrounded by during the week. Lunch and dinner breaks with my peers often led to in depth conversations about how we could continue to grow our businesses.

2) Without giving too much away, what’s y’all’s talk gonna be about at the MpixPro booth at WPPI?
I’ll be speaking about how we can exceed our client’s expectations to give them an incredible portrait experience and increase our profit margin at the same time.

3) You are CRAZY creative! How do battle creativity-block?
Creative blocks, for me, usually stem from a mundane routine. Meeting with other people who share my passion for all things creative, traveling to new destinations, and experimenting with new recipes are all strategies I use to battle creative blocks.

4) MpixPro has some pretty sweet products. What do you love?
My clients LOVE the custom image boxes and cd cases.

5) Do you have any unique uses for MpixPro products?
Yes! Many of my newborn clients purchase a custom image box to store keepsake items from the hospital (i.e. hospital bracelet, knit cap, booties, etc..)

6) Outside of photography and design for a second… what do you love to do?
I love spending time with my family at our cottage up north…especially in the summer. A few other things that make me insanely happy are roaming through book stores, traveling, cooking and running.

7) Best advice or words of encouragement for a new professional:
In this industry it is easy to get wrapped up in the latest trends/props/editing style. I would encourage any new professional entering this market to spend time analyzing their work to determine their own personal style. Stay true to what comes naturally to you and build your business on your style.

Make sure to stop by the MpixPro booth at WPPI to meet these famous photogs in person!
Talk to you soon,
Dale

Hey everybody!
I’m super excited about today’s post. Bobbi and I have been friends since we met in March at a great three day workshop where we were on the same team. Over those three days, I saw her laugh until she cried, and cry until she laughed. She is hilarious, she is smart, and she is genuine. If you are one of her gazillion blog readers, I bet you feel like you know her too. I look forward to meeting Mike at WPPI, but I feel like I know him too! Read their interview below, and scroll even farther to see some of Bobbi and Mike’s favorite images.

1) Advice for photographers who are attending WPPI for the first time:
1. For us, the first time we went it felt completely overwhelming in the beginning! But, really… It’s not. Just come out earlier if you can, look through the speaker schedule and trade show map, make a plan and get your bearings.
2. If you want to say hello to someone you admire, do it! As long as you’re polite and respect people’s space and time, it’s all good!
3. Take advantage of vendors whose products you have questions about. The only dumb question is one not asked!
4. Don’t lug your SLR around the trade show unless you have a specific reason. Put it down and enjoy yourself. A small point and shoot is your best friend. As a matter of fact, using it to photograph products at the trade show that you’re interested in is a great way to catalog them into memory!
5. Stay at the MGM. Being close to the happenings just makes everything easier and stress free. Made THAT mistake the first year…. Will NEVER do that again (then again, we went the cheap skate route and had a TERRIBLE experience…)

2) Without giving too much away, what’s y’all’s talk gonna be about at the MpixPro booth at WPPI?
Let’s just say we’re big fans of being yourself

3) You always seem so personable and interactive with your clients. Were you always so outgoing?
In the beginning, almost every photographer frets about how to appear “professional” enough. Trouble is, most think professional means tightlipped, emotionally detached, and technically perfect. We went through this stage as well… though it was very short lived because that isn’t who we are!
If you’re engaged and down to earth with your clients, you’ll get the same in return in your images! Technically sound photography is important, but it’s only half of an image…what’s the use of a well composed photo if the smile is phony and the body language is screaming “ARE WE DONE YET!!??” For us, our clients enjoying the shoot is just as important as the end product.

4) MpixPro has some pretty sweet products. What do you love?
MpixPro does indeed have some sweet products. I love that there are so many unique products that are edge to edge nothing but photo love There isn’t an “your-photo-inserted-here” feel to MpixPro’s one of a kind items!

5) With your fun brains, do you have any unique uses for MpixPro products?
Really, your imagination’s the limit. It’s about the ability to personalize items for your client. Your clients don’t have to receive their proofs in a musty, mass produced, impersonal box any more!

6) Outside of photography for a second… what do you love to do?
Bobbi – I love spending time with friends, sitting on a couch, wearing pajamas and laughing hysterically. I’m about as low maintenance as it gets. As far as hobbies: cooking, painting and snuggling… Not necessarily in that order
Mike – tennis, keeping up on politics and the world in general, reading and just being outdoors. Kickboxing in a past life (the repeated blows to the head explain a lot!)…

7) Best advice or words of encouragement for a new professional:
The first few years will be a hell of a ride while you’re learning. Many times you’ll work a lot for not a lot of money; for some jerks who don’t appreciate photography, and you’ll work in tough venues. All of these challenges will make you a more resourceful, quick-thinking, capable photographer AND you’ll appreciate good clients, venues and vendors!
Show what you want to shoot, manage expectations, market consistently and well, treat clients like people…and shoot your butt off!

Make sure to come back tomorrow for another fun interview!
Talk to you soon,
Dale

We are a little excited about WPPI. In fact, we’re bouncing up and down in anticipation. We know that you must be just as excited, but just in case you’re not, we’re giving away a TON of free stuff this year!

What are we giving away and how do you win?

* Every day we will post a super top-secret message on our MpixPro Twitter page. The first 15 people to show our booth babe Dale Benfield that they’ve re-tweeted this message will win one of our special MpixPro Twitter tees.

* Each day we will be announcing three or four products. Be the first to take a picture of one of these products and post it on our Facebook page or @mpixpro reply on Twitter will win a free printing of that product. (Example: be the first to post a picture of a metal mural and you win a free mural with your image on it)

* We will be randomly picking winners from those who re-Tweet this blog post or any other Tweets and blog posts we make during WPPI (March 8-10). All you have to do is re-Tweet our posts and you’re entered to win.

* And here’s the big daddy of them all. Let us scan your badge at the show and you will automatically be entered to win the MpixPro Pick 3. Win and you can pick any three MpixPro products and we will print them for you- for free!

So there it is! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and even subscribe to the blog to get updates and info on contests.

The hottest convention of the year is only a few weeks away, and we will be bringing you tons of updates and info about WPPI through the MpixPro blog. Today, we want to introduce you to the MpixPro Speaker Team for WPPI.

Monday
10:30 Dale Benfield
“The secret of staying booked all year round.”

11:30 Jamie Schultz
“Exceed your customer expectations, and increase your profits in the process.”

12:30 Bobbi + Mike
“Why Fake It!?”

1:30 Carey Schumacher
“Solutions for home-based photographers.”

2:30 Arden Ward
“How to keep them coming back and saying ‘YES’.

3:15 Zenfolio
“Upload. Present. Sell”

Tuesday
10:30 Arden Ward
“How to keep them coming back and saying ‘YES’.

11:30 Carey Schumacher
“Solutions for home-based photographers.”

12:30 Bobbi + Mike
“Why Fake It!?”

1:30 Jamie Schultz
“Exceed your customer expectations, and increase your profits in the process.”

2:30 Dave Cross
“Increase your business and save time with Photoshop tips.”

3:15 Zenfolio
“Upload. Present. Sell”

Wednesday
10:30 Dale Benfield
“The secret of staying booked all year round.”

11:30 Dave Cross
“Increase your business and save time with Photoshop tips.”

12:30 Bobbi + Mike
“Why Fake It!?”

1:30 Jamie Schultz
“Exceed your customer expectations, and increase your profits in the process.”

2:15 Zenfolio
“Upload. Present. Sell”

Be sure to mark your schedule to attend and hear these awesome photographers talk about their businesses and skills.

And if you are not already, make sure you are following MpixPro on Facebook and Twitter. We have some very cool prizes and contests planned for WPPI!