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It’s just over a week since I got home from the annual Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference in Las Vegas. What a great ten days! I made many new friends, brought back the latest in techniques and products, and spent some incredible time learning from the best.

It all started with an intimate, two-day class with Yervant, one of the best wedding photographers in the world – and a very, very nice guy! Twenty of us were lucky enough to get to spend two full days with him – including a bridal shoot. Yervant generously shared his technique, his philosophy, his passion for clients and his passion for photography. I am so grateful to Yervant; I learned so much in just those two days!

Then there was still over a week of lectures and trade show to go! Wedding photographers from all over the world attended. One great thing about WPPI is that the chance to pick up on the hottest trends and the best techniques from around the world. Wedding photography is truly an international art.

One very exciting thing is what’s happening with albums. I got to spend a lot of time with an album vendor that I also saw at the DWF convention in Tampa. They have a fabulous product that I’m excited about offering.

Speaking of the DWF (Digital Wedding Forum), I’ve said before that the DWF feels like family. Well, we had a “reunion” for the DWF folks who attended WPPI in Las Vegas. I got to re-connect with friends and make more friends – what fun!

The convention was so jam-packed that I didn’t do much sight seeing. I did get some time to shoot outside. Here are a few shots of Las Vegas.There is a fake Eiffel Tower outside the Paris-Bally’s complex, where the conference was held:

I like this fountain, also outside the Paris:

When I saw this statute outside Caesars, it reminded me of something I’d see in a photograph from Europe around the early or mid 20th century. I tried to capture that old-school black and white essence in this shot:

This replica of David is located outside Caesars. I liked the way they put it in this copper alcove:

I have tons of notes still to write up. My head is swimming with ideas. I’ve made new friends. WPPI, Las Vegas, was a great trip!

I admit it. I’m fickle when it comes to cities. I’m nuts over London. I’m crazy about New York. I adore Rome. Hong Kong is so fantastic! I can’t wait to get back to Paris. I’ve had some great times in Shanghai. I spend tons of time in my beloved San Francisco. I’m from LA – beautiful, sprawling, sensuous, sexy LA – my first love – I’ll always love LA.

I love them all. But I have a new love. An exciting, vibrant, colorful, friendly place. A modern place. A city full of life. I’m in love with Tokyo!

I just got back from a week in Tokyo. I spent a lot of time in the Shinjuku area. The place really is all lit up at night like I heard. This was taken at nine or so at night on a weekday. I think Tokyo is lively all the time!

Tokyo is very modern. You can find temples:

… and parks with older architecture:

… but you have to look for it.

It’s much easier to find modern buildings:

… and vending machines – which are everywhere and sell everything!

Tokyo is beautiful, but what I really love about Tokyo are the people. People rushing around:

or dressing up in Harajuku on a Sunday afternoon:

Okay, so I like the food, too. In fact, I love Japanese food – I have ever since I was a little kid. Maybe it’s because I learned to eat with chopsticks when I was five. I don’t know, but whatever the reason, I was pretty excited to get to eat in Japan.

We found a great little place in Shinjuku. The food was great! The chef was really busy:

The atmosphere was very cozy:

I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, but I didn’t realize how much until I got there.

I have a new love. I love Tokyo!