Phoenix & PPA Convention 2009

I just flew back from Phoenix and am glad to be home.  I love flying and traveling because I tend to be more introspective than usual, being away from my daily routine.  But now I’m home, and glad to be able to work again and get stuff done.

My trip started out a few days early by seeing my friend Collin and doing some work for him.  He is an amazing cosmetic dentist and I do a lot of the ‘after’ portraits for him after he fixes someone’s teeth.  I started off by photographing his staff, his office and then doing some fashion images for his upcoming brochure.

The next day I photographed his family and his little kids at their Ahwatukee home.  He has such a beautiful family and has adorable and cute little kids.  It had been two years since I’d last photographed them, so the kids had forgotten me.  It was fun to win them over, all over again.

I haven’t made my studio picks yet, but here’s a sample of images from the family session.

Here’s their family above,…

…their little boy, Leyton, who is amazingly smart,…

…and their little girl who has the cutest laugh.

PPA
After seeing Collin for a few days, I headed off to the national photography convention for the next few days, called the PPA convention.

9000 photographers from all over the country as well as many other countries were in attendance.  This is where photographers go to see the newest and greatest changes in the industry.  Last year I spoke at PPA, and this year I received a free pass because of an award that I’d won.  I also received a second award that I’m very proud of: a ‘Loan’ for my image of Joe McQueen.  The Loan Print is the highest award a photographer can win, and the image will now go in the PPA Loan Book art book.

Last PPA I released my second book for photographers and this year I received a great compliment from a great photographer, Clay Blackmore, an industry legend.

While passing in a hall, he said, “Bry, your book is the best book on photography I’ve ever read.”  I asked if he wouldn’t mind writing me a testimonial and he said, “That’s your testimonial.  Write that down…the best book on photography I’ve ever read!”  That really made my day to say the least.

I also love seeing all my photographer friends from all over the country. I should have taken more photos with everyone, but here are a few from the last couple days.  A quick note: photographers where their credentials around their neck at events like this.  It’s a way to quickly tell what rank everyone is.

My good friend Lori Nordstrom just came out with a new line of fashion camera neck straps that are very cool.  I got one of course.

Jackie Palmer assisted me at one of my workshops a few years ago and is now a good friend of mine.

And here is a group of photographers in my MasterWorks group just after the awards ceremony where Karen received some new credentials.

If any photographers see this, I want you to know that it was great seeing you all.  Seeing my friends at these events is what really makes these gigs fun for me.  Take care and I’ll see you all at the next event.

Until next time, America.
— Bry