Full week as a Photographer; walking into a pool, the strip and a flashmob.

While I love and am so thankful for my full time job in marketing, it was refreshing to be full time photographer for a week straight at WPPI. I got to focus my time, mind and energy on my photography and where I want to take it in 2012. I got to dream, take notes, and learn about my art and how I want to craft it.

It was invigorating, inspiring and needed.

I spent the week with some AMAZING photographers, making connections, grabbing cameras for last minute shoots and in class soaking up the knowledge of those that have been in the industry much longer than myself and bring an element of realistic goal planning into focus.

Highlights of the week!

Class! 

So many eager minds that with similar visions. So good to dream together. 

My favorite takeaway was how to really engage and love on your clients. Yes they are clients but they are people. I am so blessed by those who have let me capture their love and I need to show them my appreciation better! For those of you reading, thank you!! : ) 

This is me sitting in Jasmine Star's class, i got there late but just walked straight to the front row and found a seat! It was meant to be. Then I asked the guy sitting next to me to take a photo of the packed out session.  So thankful for inspirational photographers like Jasmine that are willing to share their knowledge. 

Going with three girls from AZ made the whole trip SO much more fun! These girls are amazing and we laughed so much in our little suite. Check out their work: 

Shannon Karczewski: https://www.facebook.com/shankaphotography

Elizabeth Langford: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethlangfordphotography

Cortney Talbott: https://www.facebook.com/cortneytalbottphotography]

On our way to Airplanes and Blazers which was an amazing Photographer part at Planet Hollywood. We may have riden in a limo to get there... : ) 

We played some game that cortney brought and DIED laughing that night together!

Walking Vegas and capturing the action on the strip.

Making new friends and shooting! 

One of my favorite things about WPPI was the fact that everyone was willing and wanting to shoot! A highlight was two spur of the moment shoots that I went on with other photographers around the MGM Signature. So great to see other styles, posing techniques and just feeding off the energy of the other pros was awesome! 

Funny side note... see that pool behind her, well we were on the other side of it later and little did i realize that there was a shallow pool right by me and I was so into the shoot i literally WALKED right into it. Luckily my camera didn't get wet, i just stood there laughing. ahaha! 

My beautiful friend Cortney. 

The last day I was there I was packing up when i heard about a last minute shoot going on, I grabbed my gear and met up with Phil, Trevor and Josie to spend my last hour in Vegas shooting. 

oh... and i got to do a flashmob on my birthday... can this trip get any better? (im on the right in the colorful shirt with the robot arms, oh yeah..) I'm waiting on the official video and will post when i get it! : )

So thankful for having the opportunity to go to conference, make some amazing friends and learn from some of the best! 

How Jimmy Stewart Sealed their Future; Megan and Chris!

She brought a blanket along so that they could lay out under the moonlight in their fancy clothes. It was their second date and they had gone to see Beauty and the Beast at ASU Gammage Theatre in Tempe, Arizona. The moon that night was a perfect glowing sphere, and they watch as its reflection dance along the lake, setting the perfect scene.

And that’s when Chris said it.

The words that would win over the heart of this pretty blue-eyed girl.

In the most natural Jimmy Stewart like voice, they spilled from his lips; "What is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down for you."

  Unbeknownst to him, this was one of Megans favorite movie lines and it was the quote that would melt her heart and solidify their future together.

And the rest friends, is history, their history. Their story. That continues on as they get close to their wedding date.

Megan and Chris, thank you for letting me capture your love and tell your story. You are a beautiful couple and I wish you the best as you continue this journey together!

Thank you guys for sharing your love!! 

To book your session go to www.jenn-wagner.com

Learning to walk, have your cake and eat it too!

I'm sure her mommy feels this way more than I do... but it seems like we were just capturing Cora at 6 months! Where has the time gone!?

Cora is now 1 years old and officially a cake eater and a full time walker! Apparently this was literally the *last* day Cora was still crawling as she couldn't quite stand on her own yet... So blessed to be there to capture the last bit of the baby crawl.

We did some of her walking though. She had to prove she could do it! 

But still learning of course!

David and Cathy are getting married!

When they first met, she walked away from a conversation with him thinking he was a port-a-potty cleaner. Little did Cathy know that David had quite the sense of humor and was just messing with her...

Crazy part was after their conversation she was so impressed , SHE REALLY WANTED HIM TO CALL HER! She waited by the phone for a few days until he finally dialed the 10 simple numbers that would connect him to his future bride.

and the rest...is still to come.

Less than 40 days from now, these two amazing individuals will be saying their " I do's" as the sun sets over South Mountain in Phoenix Arizona.

Cathy, David and sweet Ashlyn, thank you for letting me capture your love. You guys are an amazing family and I am thankful to get to capture your special day!

And a few of cute little Ashlyn with mom and dad!~

By the end, she had watched me long enough that SHE became the photographer! So cute. She was directing them on how to pose, stand and hug. Haha! Love her!