I’m blogging on location from sunny Tampa, Florida! I just completed Day 2 of a super-intensive 4 day conference of wedding photography professionals from the Digital Wedding Forum. We’ve been going non-stop since 8:30 this morning (it’s approaching midnight as I’m typing this) and we’ll be doing the same thing for the next two days.

Here’s just a few pictures from my point and shoot. My main camera is still in the shop and I wouldn’t be caught dead bringing my “lowly” back-up camera to a conference of people who have the nicest cameras on earth. I’m having serious camera envy all week and I am counting the days until my 30D is back safe in my arms. *Sniff*

Last night we had a cocktail reception, but I found some of the beverages to be somewhat overpriced, and others to be downright obscenely over-priced! 😉


One of the early sessions of the day, Marcus Bell. This was after my mentoring session with the awesome Wiebners and the uber-talented Lena Hyde .


Later in the day we had a luncheon and enjoyed a few moments from the incredible Dennis Reggie (he shot many a celebrity wedding, including the iconic John F. Kennedy Jr./Carolyn Besette wedding)


Later in the day, we had the “Wedding From Hell” with the DWFers participating as either the wacky cast, the photographers, or the audience in the world’s most dysfunctional wedding/learning experience. The hotel guests must have thought they walked in on the most bizarre wedding ceremony of the century…


Jen Bebb, one of the awesome photographers with the awful job of photographing this crazy mess.


My mentor from the session earlier in the day, Joel Wiebner, played the role of the ultimate “Uncle Bob”, with Susan Stripling.


The mis-matched “newlyweds” (she’s probably 6’1″, he’s maybe 5’4″)


The night ended with a kick-butt session with the incomperable (and hilarious!) Jerry Ghionis, who demonstrated a live shoot under less-than-optimal conditions.


I was also thrilled to see my favorite photographer, mentor, and friend, Laura Novak, who is down here working her butt off at the DWF convention, the PPA convention, and the WHCC tradeshow booth, as well as her own Strategy Avenue. Check her out – she rocks! (plus you might recognize me in two spots on her wedding portfolio website – wink wink!)

7 Comments On This Topic
  1. Carrie
    16 years ago

    Looks like fun Kelly. You’re brain must hurt after all that leaning. I know mine would for sure! It’ll be fun to check out all your links. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Bridget Praytor
    16 years ago

    I love your photos from the wedding from hell! Can you email me a couple. I’m trying to put together a great book from it for next year.

    Bridget Praytor

  3. Kim
    16 years ago

    There you are! I have been wondering what happened to you!

  4. Wes Hope
    16 years ago

    Hey Kelly, it was nice meeting you and losing you in at the trade show!

  5. Kim
    16 years ago

    I found ya on the site, beautiful as ever.

  6. MCK Mama
    16 years ago

    Wow, looks like a blast. I am SO going to go next time!

  7. LM
    16 years ago

    I’m glad we have blogs to keep us up-to-date! The conference sounded great! You’re definitely a busy bee! (aren’t we all!) I’m glad everything is going well! I miss you!