…until WPPI (not Disneyland, but it is a Disneyland for photographers). For those of you who are going – kudos! For those of you who are not – how come?
As a sponsor of WPPI, they offered me 10 FREE full registration passes! This is applicable for only those who have not registered. There are no refunds offered for those who already have. Before we get into the guidelines for this giveaway, let me share with you my story.
When Tofurious Was Just An Itty Bitty Baby
Every year around this time, I would hear on Facebook and Twitter about this convention called WPPI where photographers from all corners of the globe convene in Las Vegas – booze, drugs, sex, shows, buffet, lights. Seriously, WPPI at that time was just another excuse to go to the entertainment capital of the world.
For those of you who don’t know, WPPI (Wedding Portrait Photographers International) is a giant convention where many vendors show off their latest stuff. Don’t feel bad, I didn’t have a clue as well. It was about two weeks away from 2009′s convention, and Tofurious was only three weeks old or something, I said, “what the heck, there’s one 10×10 spot near Shootsac and I have a few thousand dollars to spare, I’ll take that spot!”
At first, I thought I was just going to have a table and sit there like some of the ugly local bridal conventions here, but I was totally wrong. Everyone had giant hanging displays, custom carpet (apparently MGM’s golden brown was yuck), ridiculously-large-fill-up-my-peripheral-vision-type-televisions, cool bags, and the works.
Fudge.
What did I have? A photo booth…uh, a table, hrm…a few chairs. Yeah.
Here’s the flip side – it opened my eyes. It’s a great place to meet new people – follow the amicable Becker because he always tweets things like “Meet me at the lion at 10am and let’s get coffee,” or something like that. It’s a great place to learn about new products – album companies, proofing stations, workflow management, etc. It’s a great place to do portfolio shoots! The list goes on and on!
Tofurious is Now 1 Year Old and Walking
I’m attending WPPI again this year – booth 1240 (next to Shootsac and ShootQ – two companies I adore). I also have a Bloggers’ Lounge in the main building with free WiFi for your internet convenience.
What will I be presenting? I’ll blog about it this week.
Free Passes For WPPI
Details about passes here – http://www.wppionline.com/storage/lasvegas/home.html – $400 value for non-members
Guidelines:
- You must not be registered already
- Make a blog post (on your own site) as to why you want to go to WPPI – make sure to include your email in there somewhere
- Send me a link to your blog post for consideration
- Submissions are due this Saturday, Feb 13, 2010
I will announce the winners next week. Good luck!
WPPI is seriously worth going,
Lawrence Chan
P.S. For those asking about the photo booth software, it will be given away for free this convention (courtesy of MBS).
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
My wife an I are up and coming Seattle wedding photographers. We would love to be able to go, we’ve never been to WPPI before! and are always up for getting our eyes opened, and meeting people in the industry.
Lawrence,
I remember meeting you at your booth last year and the time you took to talk to me about setting up my blog. The fact that you are so genuine shows right away. I have appreciated seeing your success over this past year because each time I see what you are accomplishing makes me think back to meeting you at your booth. This just reinforces what hard work and passion can do for you.
All the best, Mike
Lawrence, the photo booth software is going to be awesome! Thanks to MBS! 10 free tickets! Yikes. People get on it!
I firmly believe this what I need to take our company to the next level. Yet we are in the United States captial for foreclosures and it’s been a very hard road to dig ourselves out of the place. Please consider us for this mission. jazmarphotography@embarqmail.com
Oh you’d better believe I’m entering this contest! You are awesome Tofu!!
I was just going through stuff from last year and came across my own photo that I took at your photobooth at WPPI!! Loved the concept you guys had!
Thank you for this opportunity, Lawrence. I’ve been following you for a few months and it’s great to see you grow in the industry and see you giving back so generously. I’ll definitely post up a blog about WPPI, because I definitely want to make it out this year. Fo sho.
I have been to a few photo shows, but last year was my first WPPI, I was very impressed with there educational approach to the industry, and a great feeling of comradeship, and that’s where I first saw To Furious… Fast forward 2010, I was on the fence between going and not going… then I find you will have the photobooth software available to attendants! Vegas here I come!!!
Can’t wait to hang out!!!
Last year your photo booth was the coolest thing that I knew I needed to have and was the only purchase that I made a WPPI. It has proven to be a very cool feature to my photography business. Really didn’t want to miss this years WPPI but am still deciding if it is possible or not. If I do go I will most definitly stop by the booth, you guys were amazing last year, I loved your energy and enthusiasm. You didn’t need lots of fancy displays, you had the awsemone photobooth to plug.
I also didn’t mention that I am an advid learner and loved to listen and marvel at everyone who presented last year. Would love to go again to see all the new and exciting things that I could take away from convention this year.
Hi
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Being a South African, we call on pro photographers such as you and many more of the household photographer names, to keep us up to date with the Wedding Photography Trend. I would love to grow to the next level of wedding photography, and I am sure WPPI will help me to lift the roof and creativity will flow. Love your Photo Booth shots. GO KUDOS !!!
What an amazing opportunity and yet again Tofurious is leading the way! We’d be so blessed to attend WPPI, to learn from our peers and absorb as much as we humanly can. We’d love to meet photographers/vendors in person and create connections, turning these into lifetime friendships and networks. And going on photoshoots and building our portfolio would be the icing on the cake!!
Thanks for your consideration
I have to work @ my day job as a teacher.. the stars and the days off did not align correctly this year
I am more exited then ever to go to WPPI The talent and Innovation in our industry amazes my. Innovative company’s like yours are worth going to WPPI to see. Best of luck to you for continued growth in the industry. I use your product and love it. I have been putting off registering do to the economy so I would love to be able to make it. Thank you in advance
LM
Hi Lawrence,
I have only been in the business for three months now and
it will be my first year attending WPPI. I would love to get a full experience
at WPPI, learn more about the buissness and to meet people!!
New Tofu groupie, here! Thanks Lawrence, for all that you do!
Lawrence I am in love with your blog! I have never been to WPPI! I have had my own business now for over 3 years and it has grown a ton but I also have three children and a wonderful husband and due to the economy, my income is a major part of providing for our family. I have to be very careful with what I spend. I want one of those 10 tickets Lawrence!! Thank you!
Everyone –
1. must make a blog post regarding subject
2. submit the link
3. then I can consider
Good luck! Due Friday!
Blog post up!
I never posted that up there^^^^ ???????
My comment was different
I want to go to WPPI!
I hope I win!!
My thoughts are consumed. I posted. I’ll wait. I might even pray. Check it out at
And in case of a miracle, my e-mail address is: kallibarker86@gmail.com
Thanks for this generous opportunity to attend WPPI!
FYI: let me know if you need a hand (help) with something if I’m selected I would gladly help anyway I could.
I just blogged about why I want to attend WPPI! Thanks for giving this awesome opportunity to 10 deserving peeps:) Check out my blog post
Here you go. Your the man!
oh my graciousness…. i can’t even imagine being able to have a slight possibility of attending WPPI!! thank you thank you thank you for giving this gift to those of us who thought there was no way of going!
please consider us!! our story here….
Hey Lawrence just did a blog post, put my name, links to WPPI and links to this post
thanks for doing this, you rock
Wow! Thank you for doing this, it is really awesome. I (nervously) blogged my entry! Thanks for considering me, hope to see you there!
My sister in law has just quit her day job and is throwing herself into her love of photography and I’m sure she would LOVE to go WPPI!!! (I would love her to go too… because I learn from her and she takes all my daughter’s pictures)
I know someone who would LOVE to go!!! There is something in it for me as well… she takes all my daughters pictures ; )
I’m sure you have many worthy candidates here…but I promise none are more worthy than Angel Gray. I (along with my family) have been a client of hers for years now, and we would NEVER consider using anyone else (after going through many folks prior). Her creativity and professionalism are unparalleled! If you knew her family and story you would push her to the top of the list…trust me, this is a GREAT INVESTMENT in your profession! PICK ANGEL GRAY!!!!
Just posted. Thanks for your continued generosity and inspiration….hope to see you in Vegas!
I made my WPPI blog entry. Thanks for your generosity Lawrence. Hope to see ya there!!
please check out my blog post because I want to go to WPPI like crazy!!
Thanks so much for the gracious contest, Lawrence, and the incredible opportunity.
Just put up my post for entry, “generational”
All the best!
I was thinking about using Shin Whacking Day as an excuse for going to Vegas….but now theres free WPPI Day passes up for grabs that’s an even better excuse! (ps. hope you don’t mind the Lawrence of Arabia reference in my post
Hi Lawrence,
Thanks for such an awesome opportunity! Love your templates although not savvy enough to use them yet. Anyway, I blogged about why you should choose me. I hope you do.
I blogged about it. Tried to send before. I don’t see my comment so I am resinding. I appologize if they all come up. I just really did not want to miss this. a:)
wwww.charisserhodes.wordpress.com
Aloha,
I am resending my blogpost since I don’t see it up there.
Thanks!
The link on my original post is gone, and my link isn’t up above with those other ones. Maybe once your link is gone it means you’re not being considered anymore and those ones at the top are the winners. Anyone else know for sure because I’m totally guessing here.
Congrats to the winners. Have a wonderful time.
Not quite. I haven’t deliberated yet. The links above are called trackbacks / ping backs. Whenever someone links to this post, it’ll show up automatically. Good chance for exposure!
Thanks Lawrence!
I like to learn something new everyday and today, for Valentine’s Day, I learned about Trackbacks. Good day
Yeah, my trackback is not showing either, but that’s ok I guess.
I am dying to know who one this? still have not registered and getting worried with costs since I am not a member, praying I am pickeddddddddd
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