After almost 24 hours of traveling the last thing I thought I’d do, was to sit in front of my computer and start typing. But I just couldn’t resist. I have been away from home for the past 3 weeks. The reason for my travels was to attend the world’s largest wedding & portrait photography conference & trade show, called WPPI 2010. The conference was held in the MGM Grand Hotel in Vegas, Nervada. The biggest hotel I’ve ever seen and seriously the largest group of photographers I’ve ever seen at one place. They estimate +- 12 000 photographers attended!

When iaan and I planned the trip to WPPI we decided to extend it into a sightseeing-friend making-photo-taking adventure. The sightseeing part went pretty well! We visited New York City for a week, then went over to Vegas for a few days, then spent 2 days in Santa Barbra and the last 2 days in Los Angeles. I must admit the photo taking part was a bit harder. I was just so overwhelmed with everything and pretty much enjoyed every moment, so much so, that iaan had to remind me every now and then to take out my camera :)

The friend making part is what this post is all about. It’s something that words can not describe, but something that deserves blog posts and blog posts filled with thanks. Iaan and I are so overwhelmed by all the AAAHH-SUUUM (and yes, it’s the american way guys, say with me….AAAHH-SUUUM! no more “awesome”, it’s AAAHH-SUUUM) people we met and hanged out with! We appreciate each one of you!

A super special thanks to my new friends Helga Scheafer for picking us up from the airport, for all the vitamines to keep me healthy :) and all the other special things you did for us! You were my USA mom for 3 weeks :) Thanks to Kaycee for her constant encouragement and support and allowing me to do a shoot of you guys! Was great meeting you!

Thanks to Jasmine Star for always being an inspiration, for challenging me in so many ways, for a KICK-ASS platform class at WPPI and for being so AAAHH-SUUUM to take some photos with me.

Thanks to David Jay and Christianne Taylor for 2 unforgettable days in Santa Barbra! For opening up your homes and being so generous with your time! Thanks to DJ for being my inspiration for the past 4 years. For being a business mentor and a friend.

Thanks to Feuza Dos Reis, Otto Rascon, Waldyr Oliveira Jr, Kristi Crosson for asking me and iaan to be your models for the shoot out at WPPI. What a privilege! (Photos can be viewed on Facebook)

Another special thanks to my friends Henry Chen and Nancy Kwong for showing us around Los Angeles and even organizing a belated birthday dinner for me! You guys rock! Last but not least, big thanks to Edmund Prieto for a fun shoot out in LA! Can’t wait to see the photos!

To every other person we met at WPPI / on our trip. Thank you for chatting to us, sharing who you are and befriending us! Each one of you played a part in this unforgettable trip! x

Some fun in the smilebooth with iaan and Jasmine Star.