Thoughts from the WPPI Show

Today’s Post by Mark Toal

Last week I attended WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographer International) annual convention in Las Vegas. If you are an aspiring or working wedding and portrait photographer this is the show to go to. Besides the larger trade show where camera companies, photo labs, lighting and accessory companies have booths, there are great classes and photo walks. And last, but not least the evening parties and social events to meet other photographers.

This is not a show where new products are announced. It’s just a great way to see and get your hands on cameras and accessories that you might normally just read about all year.

I go to this show every year and from my vantage point in the Panasonic booth and from walking around the show mirrorless camera are more popular every year. Sony, Olympus, Panasonic and Samsung all had large booths showing mirrorless cameras.

Wedding photographers are seeing the benefits of using a smaller, lighter camera that can also shoot video. I know from experience that one of the most difficult things about photographing wedding is carrying a heavy SLR around for hours. This photo is from a wedding that I shot last year with a Panasonic GH4 and Lumix FZ1000. Using these cameras, the eight hours of shooting was so much easier on my body.

It’s clear from going to WPPI that professional photography is alive and well. Newer technologies like LED studio lighting were everywhere. Look for blog posts soon about some of my favorite lighting tool from Westcott and Sunpak.

If I had to pick one photo show to go to every year it would be WPPI. It’s reasonably priced, a great learning experience and if you have to go to Las Vegas the MGM Grand is not a bad place to be.