So all you Pictage members, what did you think of PC this year? I have some mixed feelings about this year, some positive, some negative. Honestly there's positive and negative to everything, but I was wondering what you guys thought? I'm going to hold my opinions for a while because I think I've got more negative thoughts because I have a tendency to set my sites really high and often rely on others to pull me out of the clouds. So what did you think?

Oh, and for all of you that think I'm a jerk cause I didn't recognize you, uh.... sorry..... I'm horrible with names unless you're paying me lots of money to be your photographer I guess. So StacyC and Roo that's a lot for you and umm, I'm sure others. Don't hate me.

ha ha! I have that problem too. Even when people pay me, I still have a hard time matching faces with names if I haven't seen them in a while.

Wish I could have been at Partner Con, I'm looking forward to the reviews.

This was my first photography related conference, and I loved it.

I was so excited to hear a lot of big-picture ideas, because I've been trapped in the little details for too long.

For me, young, new to the business, completely overwhelmed with my life, in school, trying to pay for school and my car, wishing I could upgrade my Nikon D50 (i know, i know) but needing to pay for school, books and FOOD...the conference was a breath of fresh air, to say the least.

I'm at a place in my life where I am learning so much, and to hear that all I needed to do was be myself, build relationships, treat my clients well, and give away the tasks that I don't have time for was exactly what I needed.I left the conference feeling so at ease, like a huge pressure had been taken off. WHEW!!! I CAN BREATHE AGAIN!

Another great part about the conference was the opportunity to talk with people and create new relationships. All the photography stuff was great, but one of my favorite parts was conversations over meals or in between workshops.

The vendors were helpful too. I liked being able to see everything in person, since I don't have the money to just try everything out. I figured out a few specific things that I liked and wanted to offer to my clients (KISS albums and pixel2canvas art prints).

I was at the BigFolio booth about 3 times, trying to understand how to set up the website that I've owned for THREE MONTHS

so, It's action time now!

For you though Mark-- you're in such a different place than me, and thinking back on the conference it seems like they could have done a better job creating a track for photographers who have the basics more figured out than people like me.

OH-- and I was really impressed with the food. I catered for 3 years, and they did GOOD!!!!

It was my first Partnercon and I absolutley loved it!!!

The speakers I saw really inspired me. Some I learned alot from, some were just fun, and others helped inspire me to do things I already knew I wanted to do but hadn't incorporated yet. I left feeling so psyched, empowered, and inspired.

My favorite part by far though was just meeting people. The breakfast and lunch tables, the hallways and the KISS-ShowIT party were great and I made some really amazing new friends, and strenghthened friendships with people I met at WPPI, and know here on OSP and the Pictage forums.

I can't wait for the next one. WPPI into Partnercon in Vegas is going to be off the hook!

Mark, at least i introduced myself... and yes we can recognize you as long as you have on a blue shirt. You're too funny.


I had a blast. Super excited by everything. Definitely ready to put my action plan into action.

yes, there's good, yes there's bad, but at least there is a variety! I'd rather have that and choose for myself what I will listen to and what I won't.

Mark, I didn't like your attitude, but pretty much everything else was great.




I think I need some sleep before I give a real opinion, okay? For those of you are wondering - NO, I have not slept since Wednesday night, so yeah, I'm fried. (I took a red eye and then have been hanging with my friend who dragged me all around town today after picking me up from the airport)

woo hooo weeee

seeing stars.

Looks like I must owe you an apology. I'm absolutely sorry if I had a bad attitude or was mean in some way. I was totally embarrassed when you two put me on the spot and drilled me for your names considering we'd never met. I'm horrible with names as it is so I'm really sorry I didn't recognize you from your avatar. I don't know what to say. I guess this post is going nowhere now. But wow Stacy, please forgive me if I was mean in some way. I'm really not the best at making conversation. Just ask Liana Lehman. I was probably rude to her too but really I don't know what to talk about. Pretty much my conversation with her was like, Me - "Hey Liana." Liana - "Oh hey! Long time no see." Me - "Yeah." (Tumble weeds roll by in my mind. Birds tweet. Wind blows.) Me- "Well I'll see ya around."

So really I'm totally sorry ok?

Mark

If this is sarcasm, that's fine, but the rest of us can't tell if it's a sarcastic joke or not.

If it's not sarcasm, I think that's something you should have taken up with Mark personally, via email, phone call, or PM.

I wanted to come up & see the tradeshow stuff, but I couldn't make it up. From what I've heard (from Roxanne, P2C mostly), it was a fun time.

Oops! Gosh guys, SOO sorry! I was definitely being sarcastic in response to what Mark's post said about "please don't hate me". I was trying to show how silly I thought it was that he was worried about that by being sarcastic, but I can defintiely see how that was not clear! So sorry! I put a smiley face, but I'll remember that's not enough in the future!! NO more sarcasm - it's too confusing!

PS - I would NEVER EVER EVER respond like that if those were my real feelings at all. Passive agressiveness is actually one of my biggest pet peves and I definitely let people know if there is any real thing, great or small, that has come between us in my mind! I only responded to Mark's post like that because there is 100% NO bad feelings or thoughts towards him at all . . . and I just sent him a PM to make sure he got that message! Thanks for the alert!

I was feeling bad for Mark licking his wounds
I thought that you were being sarcastic, but when I saw Mark's response, I was feeling bad for him & wasn't sure any more.
I'm sure he's feeling better now

I love OSP! This kind of thing would blow up & out of proportion anywhere else but here.

Haha - you're telling me! I felt like the most horrible person when I read his response. I was like "NO! No! No! I did not mean that at all!!"


Anyways, Carey, we would have loved to see you there . . .it was so nice to finally put faces to names of people here on OSP and to find out how much I really really like so many of these folks.

My review of Partnercon:

1) I came in as a COMPLETE outsider - I have never been to any photography conference at all and I knew nobody except for Amy DeYoung and she and I haven't known each other much longer! I felt SO embraced and loved by all the people I met from OSP there. My roommate Rachel Priddy was amazing and SO fun, which made the whole experience so pleasant!

2) I was tremendously inspired. There were points of laughter, as well as tears throughout the conference because I really think my heart was touched. I learned more about ways to regain my life (thanks Davina, Kevin, and DJ) and continue in my passion without feeling bogged down by some of the parts of the business that I don't love as much.

3) I came back with real, hard, tangible things that I can do NOW to change my business for the better. As I start to weed through some of this stuff, I'll write posts about it because all I want to do is SHARE what I've learned!

Haha, I've sold you a Mark III, helped you on your KISS order and all that said I get a blank stare from you! But no biggie. I don't hate you.

There's alot of people out there.

Shannon! I love how excited you are! That's so awesome!

There were so many great people to hang out with this year as always! I love the people in our industry!

I LOVED IT! - Seeing so many of you made it incredible!

LOL - not rude at ALL Mark! You're always one of the sweetest, kindest, most considerate.


I had a BLAST though - as always - I wish I had more time to go to different talks and see more people. Still recovering from the red-eye we took back on Thursday night/Friday AM.

HAHA! you forgot the ever important emoticon.

Rule of the Web #456b - All sarcastic comments, or comments which could be construed as negative when they are, wholey and in actuallity, intended solely for non offensive purposes, must be followed by an emoticon which denotes, in part or in whole, laughing, smiling, and/or general silly behavior. Emoticons must reside within 5 characters of the comment they pertain to. No other line-breaks, comments which are whole or partial sentences, photographs, or emoticons not fitting the above description may be placed between the comment and the emoticon, so as not to confuse the reader about which comment the emoticon applies to.

Infraction of rule 456b, resulting in a comment mistakingly taken in offense, is punishable under Section 72 of the Internet Penal Code, and is subject to a fine of up to two beers and/or two cookies.

this is tooo funny! can i get a copy of the rules????

It totally sucks that I missed this year. WOuld have loved to have met you guy's. I will try next year and hope to be at WPPI.

Andy

I thought it was great. Schedule faux pas though: Rosh Hashana (Holiest day on Jewish Calendar).
Some workshops better than others.
Mentoring with Jefferson Todd: priceless
I learned a LOT and met some cool people! Definately worth the time and $$.

Behold: I have an avatar/picture now! I recognized many people, but they wouldn't be in a position to reconize me, because I don't have a photo of myself posted. I know I missed some of you *cringe* + sad face... but hopefully next time, we will recognize each other.

Great job for getting a photo posted Michael! It was awesome meeting you!

...and how's about all those green M&Ms you were munching on from my booth, hmnnn???? Or maybe it was just me you were coming over to see! HAH!



Nice to "see" you again!!!!

All the best,
Roxanne

ppc was fun as usual! I have attended every single partnercon and I always love the reunion of friends and the good info distributed. I would say highlights for me included Chris Humphries and his indepth talk reviewing the fundamentals of creating great images, Lauren Hillary and her concise thoughts on getting published BUT my absolute highlight was for sure meeting Rachel Priddy and Stacy Cross you two ROCK MY SOCKS !

The Pixel2Canvas people rock as well...deffinetly highly impressed!

I wish I could have been there for the second day, I had some technical difficulties with a computer taking up all my time till 11:30am which pushed back what was supposed to be a quick photoshoot for a client and turned into a grand production that was very long. More on that later..

If all of you haven't seen one of Roxanne's Pixel2Canvas prints be sure to order one! They are amazing.

I sent her a file from my point and shoot and she turned it into a gorgeous 16x20 canvas that is now hanging in my guest apt. Also, I went by Chris Humphrey's place for dinner a few weeks back and he had about 10 gorgeous prints covering his walls and with as easy as they are to print and hang you could order a bunch and just keep swapping them out. Definitely give them a try.

+4

I have a HUGE canvas hanging in my new studio... it's gorgeous. Pixel2Canvas is awesome!

David - thank you SO very much!

HUGE ear-to-ear grin right now!!! So nice to finally meet you in person and get those wonderful hugs - it was a pleasure to print that for you - awesome capture! Now a part of me will always be in my beloved Santa Barbara!!!

Shane - thanks dude! So where's the picture of it hanging up? I need it for my blog!!!

TimCo!!!! I had such a blast talking with you! Glad we passed muster mister! *snerk*

We had such a wonderful time meeting everyone. To finally meet so many of you face to face, hug to hug was absolutely the best. Vegas 2008 baby!

All the best,
Roxanne

ya p2c is the real deal! I have been submitting orders to them through others accounts as a test, and I placed a rush order around 4pm friday and had the canvas in hand 10am SATURDAY MORNING in time for the wedding. It was so gorgeous we didn't even have to open it, we could tell through their awesome packaging - we just tied a bow around it and the clients loved it .

I made Tim Co's highlights list! Wow! <blush> it was so great to finally meet you. the cruise is going to be AWESOME!

you were missed the second day, how'd that photoshoot go?

I just want to chime in on the Pixel 2 Canvas thing. I couldn't believe some of the colors she got out of that Canon printer... You have to see them in person to really get a feel for how vibrant that stuff is. Your clients would definitely dig it!

Order away!

Ok, I've started this reply for the third time now, let's see if I can get all the way through it without being interrupted.

Several things really impacted me:
DJ, David Greene and Dane Sanders all talking about the importance of self promotion. My website will be getting a little update soon because of them. I talk about the importance of the personal touch, but yet my website doesn't show it!

I really appreciated Denis Reggie (who I heard for the first time) and Chris Humphrey's talks encouraging us to get the images shot great with a thing called a CAMERA. I know, silly to think that when you could always spend an hour working over a picture in Photoshop, so I'm sure their ideas won't go far, but hey, it's something to consider. Pictures great, right out of camera.... interesting.... (Do note the sarcasm)

My wishes would be more proactive maybe???? Like, I wouldn't mind hearing some of the greats take us verbally through a typical wedding day for them. I'd like to see a live shoot of a model using the new canon remote thingy with the images popping up on screens. I think assuming people REALLY know the ins and outs of their cameras anymore is a huge over assumption so maybe sessions on the super technical camera operations. This class could be offered by canon masters of light and maybe other consumer companies I heard about like Nikon... I think that's what Denis called it.
Bob Davis' talk on flash use was something that I've been waiting for for so long. I really needed that and now want even more.

And yes, I too will be using Pixels to Canvas cause yes, they looked amazing. But do any of you have other thoughts on classes? I'd like to send ideas to Pictage for input.

PartnerCon was wonderful as always for me I love the fellowship so much, and always feel so blessed to have all of my dearest friends in one place at one time!

So Mark, are you feeling the need for less biz stuff and more photo stuff? Is that the gyst of what you're sayin?

Yeah Amber I guess that's it. And a lot of it would photo stuff from those people. DJ, Denis, Colon, YOU, David E, Mike H, TimCo, the list of shooters at that event is so cool wouldn't it be great to learn that side of it which sometimes seems too obvious I guess. I've never been invited to second shoot with anyone on that list and am sure 99% of the attendees would be in my same boat so to learn in that angle would be huge I think.

I've heard 80 versions of different peoples work flows and business simplification so I think it can get a little too focused on one side of things. On wedding day, we still all reach for the first tool which is our camera.... Do we all realllllly know what we're doing with it?

Just my 2 cents and completely not negative. I just don't want my brain to ever get in a rut. When the Lord takes me home, then I can stop learning here.