I Wanna Win!!!

Say that title like Jack Black does in Nacho Libre. So it’s more like I hwanna hwiiiiin!!! Anyone with me? No? I guess I just have a strange affinity for movies with really ridiculously stupid humor. Like when Jake and I went with some friends to see Napoleon Dynamite, and I was honestly the only one in the entire theater laughing… but let’s not go there. I digress.

I actually had a different post planned for today. However, that was before I came across Justin and Mary’s blog post about a Shoot Out at WPPI. They posted it 6 days ago, and how I missed it is beyond me. But I’m really glad I found it last night because I’m pretty sure today is the last day to enter!

Let me explain. Justin and Mary are a completely rockin’ husband and wife photography team who produce gorgeous, melt-in-your-mouth images, and I am a long time follower of their blog and their work. Not only are they amazing at what they do, they are also some of the most genuine, helpful, and giving people I’ve… well I was going to say met, but I’ve never actually met them. I guess I just feel like I have through their blog. But they are sooo willing to help out other photographers! They often blog what they call Pancake Sessions (hence the pancakes in my video- although I really do love pancakes), and I can honestly say that part of my photography comes from those open and honest bits of advice. They also travel around the US doing their Spread the Love seminars, which is on my Bucket List to attend. Mary even commented on one of my blog posts on my old blog a few months ago, and I might have had a mini heart attack. It was that exciting.

Ok, so, the point of this post. The Shoot Out. I’m  SO stoked to be going to WPPI this year!!! (For non-photographers, WPPI is a huge photography convention that happens every year in Vegas, and it’s a big week of learning, shooting, and partying it up with fellow photographers and friends!) It will be my first year and I know it’s going to be an incredible experience. But to make it even more incredible, Justin and Mary are giving 20 lucky photographers the chance to shoot and learn with them during WPPI. And, true to J&M form, they are holding a contest to see who those 20 photographers will be! (If you follow their blog, you also know that Mary looves a good contest lol.) So here I am, posting a rather embarrassing video of myself on my blog for a chance to spend a morning with Justin, Mary and 19 other photographers in just a few shorts weeks at Vegas. But if I win, it’s totally worth the embarrassment!

(Please note: this video was put together at 10pm last night… hence my sleepy, scattered brain, and the nasty yellow lighting. Also, this is why I prefer to stay behind the camera. Apparently I talk out of the side of my mouth??? Classy.)

Thanks so much for this opportunity Justin and Mary!!!! Regardless of whether or not I win, I truly appreciate your readiness to help others, because you’ve helped me more than you know : )

Also, for anyone else attending WPPI, mark your calendars for their platform talk, “How to be a Rainmaker,” on Thursday, February 24th at 9 am!!

**Edited to add: I WON!!!!!!! I’m going to be one of the 20 photographers!!!!!!!!!! I basically just peed my pants out of excitement. Totally worth the embarrassment. Thank you SO much J&M!!! I can’t WAIT to meet you guys!**