I am just a lowly newborn photographer.  Up until now Seattle, Tacoma and Puyallup where the boundaries of my little world.  Going to WPPi has opened so many doors and brought me to so many people!  I have had the most amazing experience ever.  This last week I met some of photography’s super stars.  Certainly some wonderful people that inspire me, make me hope and dream and some who have helped to light my path.  When Joel from Adorama asked me to write a review for WPPI University I was honored.  I feel so privileged with the opportunity to share with the rest of the world the excitement and gratitude that still are bursting forth from my filled to capacity little head.  This is my full review (minus the individual reviews I wrote for each instructor).  Please enjoy.  You can see my actual post on Adorama’s blog here.

I think it speaks volumes that an organization would go through such great efforts to create an experience like WPPI U for all of the fresh creatives pushing at the door of the photography industry. Instead of abandoning  all of us “Newbies” to scratch and fight to make our way on our own in the field like freshly hatched baby turtles clawing their way out of the sand struggling to make it to the sea. All just for the opportunity to have a go at life before they are picked off and squashed by the gulls.

We are baby turtles. Our creative fires have been ignited, now we struggle to make it to the surging sea that is the life of a professional photographer. Seagulls, some well intentioned uneducated people, try to take advantage of our shiny new dream. They pull us off course with erroneous information. Promises of a “magic  fix”.  Some “Seagulls” aren’t well intentioned at all. They wait with lusty eyes to watch us fail, they prey on us.

But like the altruistic volunteers that head to the Mexican beaches each season of birth and renewal, WPPI U instructors came to help us find the right path. They gently correct our course if we have fallen off the path, guiding us to the surf.  I know, like the turtles, getting into the surf is only the beginning of a long voyage full of obstacles and challenges to navigate.  But getting to the surf…into the game…is a triumph!

I feel like knowing hands have led us to the waters edge. With the feeling of empowerment we have received I know we can learn to swim. We have a chance. My mind is ablaze with knowledge!  I know I can be one of the few that survive!

What a wonderful opportunity WPPI U was. There was no scrimping. Every possible detail was carefully modeled to bring it’s students opportunity. Knowledge, networking, exposure, technique, motivation, products, tools…everything was at our fingertips!

You would have to be someone suffering behind an impenetrable wall of indifference not to have been inspired, uplifted, re-energized and EDUCATED!

This weekend honestly blew mind. I am so grateful to have been part of it. Ten years down the road when everyone “knows my name” ’cause that’s going to happen right, I will still enroll in WPPI U.  It was just THAT good!

To all of the wonderful people and friends that I met this last week, cheers to a wonderful time.  I am glad to have met you and to be part of your “photogra[hy” family!

Much Love, Jennifer Wilcox