WPPI: The Experience Part 1

Oh man. I don't know that I've ever been this exhausted in my life. EVER. But it's the good kind of tired. My headed is totally swimming with information, vendor overload, and walking. A LOT of walking.

I think the coolest part of this experience has been meeting so many people. And the trippiest thing has been people recognizing me. ME. Like, "Who am I to get recognized?!" It's cool, but weird, but fun, but still tripping me out.

Sunday, Elana and I arrived at MGM and were ready to hang out Vegas style. We went to pick up my badge and it was like hiking three miles to the registration desk. We hit up the Margarita bar and indulged in $11 mango margaritas!





Then we tried to go to a party. A photographer party. In Vegas. What an experience.

We weren't sure how we were going to get there, so we got gussied up and went down to the taxi stand. On our way, we ran into Kenny Kim, who happened to be going to the same party with another group of people. I figured we might just share a couple of cabs, until Bob Davis swept through and led the pack towards a limo. An Expedition-size limo. So we followed. We figured the worse that could happen is that we'd be turned away. I had a game plan with the intention of saying I was with Kenny's group. Well, next thing we knew, we were boarding the limo. No way. True story.



We arrived at the GoBee Bag/Photography Mentor suite that was rented out in the Luxor and it was surreal. I remember thinking to myself, ready to pinch my arm, "Am I really here, doing this?" I am living out all the things that I thought I might do while in Vegas. There were a TON of people there. It reminded me of a college party. It was hot, sweaty, and loud. I recognized some faces as we tried to slither through the crowd towards the photobooth and danceroom.

While I would have liked to hang around for a little while longer, it was just too much. So instead, we headed down to the lobby to hang out with my UCSD homies, Daniel and Vaness Galang! Plus I met Jasmine Marie and her hubby, Adam.

Daniel and Vaness, cute as always!

While we were just chatting in the hallway, out strolls Jasmine Star and hubby JD. And she recognizes me by name, says "Hi, Catie!" and gives ME a hug! Holy moly. I'm Star Struck. Cliche? Sure. Do I mind? Heck no! It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling as she's one of my biggest photography inspirations. Definitely check out her blog, it'll change your life.

After parting ways with Daniel and Vaness and Jasmine and Adam, Elana and I ventured back to the MGM. We decided to walk. It wasn't that cold or that far, especially by Vegas standards. What a fun night!