Jamie & Paul

Lauren

In conclusion.....

Well, now that we've had some time to reflect on our recent Vegas experience, we've come to some conclusions on how we feel about Sin City.

It was craaaaaazy! In good ways and bad. The main reason we didn't like it was because you just can't turn it off when you want to. We don't have anything against casinos or partying, we just want to be able to stop when we feel like it. There, you really have to work to find a place to escape the noise, lights, and smoke. It didn't help that we were both under the weather, and hopefully next time we are there, we will be feeling better. Yes, we will be there again. With WPPI being held there every year, we will most certainly be there again. Our friends, the legendary John and Dalisa Cooper of AltF, live in Vegas, and we would, of course, go there to see them if invited.

The good part of the trip was most definitely seeing/meeting our friends from all over the world. You guys made it completely worthwhile (and you know who you are). We miss all of you already, and can't wait to see you again!

Would we go back just to go there.....no. There are too many other places on this earth that we love and new places that we want to see where we would rather spend our time and money (and breathe clean air).

Next year, we will take our Airborne and Zicam everyday so hopefully we will stay healthy. Maybe we'll tote an oxygen machine with us too. Either way, we have learned a little bit about Vegas, and hopefully what we've learned will make next year's trip a little more enjoyable.

Enjoy a few photos below from the trip. A video from Still Motion will be released in a couple of days, and we are still working on our 4000 image slideshow, that we will hopefully have on here in a few days. The last set of images is the view from our hotel room....that was one thing that totally rocked.

Allison


Hi people, It's Jason. Allison has been having fun with the blog diary so I thought i would jump in and say a few things.

First I want to say thank you to everyone I met out there in Vegas. I shot the whole week in mini bursts on the camera, I pulled a few stills off the slide show just to give you a little tease...

First off from left to right...the amazing Jason Cohen, next is yours truly and last but not least is one of my closest friends Mark Eric.

John and Dalisa showing off on what they do best. John was shooting a live concept shoot for our Shoot Shop Leavin Las Vegas


The final product of the concept shoot (permission to post by John) keep in mind that this was shot in direct sunlight at 11:30 in the morning.
Two of the nicest people ever to come out of the UK, Sofie and Paul from Amorphia Photography

The heartbeat of the four of us...Tana Huffman. Tana was the glue and the nails and the ductape that held all 4 (Tana, Sofie, Mark, Myself) of us together with dealing with the plans of a workshop.
Last but not least the best thing of the trip...the view from the hotel room.

Day 4

Well, Vegas is growing on me very very slowly. I still hate the fact that it's hard to escape the casinos, but there are some positive points that I've discovered.

First of all, meeting so many amazing people has definitely made this a wonderful experience. If all of them will be here for convention next year, I will definitely be here as well. The second reason I'm enjoying it a little more now is that I've discovered some ways to escape the noise and lights. I have spent many hours in the Miracle Mile shops, and even though there is music playing there, it doesn't feel like you are in the casino. Of course I already mentioned the spa, which was wonderfully quiet. The spa is on the mezzanine level of the hotel, which is so much more peaceful than the casino floor. Even though it overlooks the casino, it is much quieter, not smokey, and there is so much more open space. It's really quite fun to just go up there, find a comfy seat, and watch all the idiots down below. The people watching here is phenomenal.

Today, Jason and I ventured over to The Bellagio, which was a very nice break from the action. Our original plan was to stay there, but they only had a room available for 3 nights out of the 4 we are here. The hotel was beautiful, and even though there is, of course, a casino off the lobby, it didn't feel like we were in Vegas. Even though we have really enjoyed Planet Hollywood, we will definitely look into staying there the next time we are here.

There are so many things that are just assumed about Vegas.....you won't sleep while you're here, you'll be drunk the whole time, you'll spend all your money gambling. I think the key is to not buy into all of that. I mean, if you want to do all those things, go right ahead. If you're like me, however, and you'd rather be rested and leave with some money in your checking account, just ignore all the hype and do what you want. Once I decided to be the rebel and do my own thing, I have started to enjoy it a lot more.

I'm off to nap by the pool now, so ttfn. We have ANOTHER party tonight at 9 or 10, so I need to get my beauty rest now.

Allison

Still trying to decide if I like it.....

I'm not a casino person. I just can't stand the non-stop lights, sounds, and smoke. Here, it's like you can't get away from it. From the moment you get off the plane, you are bombarded with slot machines and they're everywhere you look. I know, for everyone else in the world (who have all been here before) this is old news. Being a Vegas Virgin, however, I'm just trying to paint a picture for the other two virgins out there.

I'm always up for a new experience, and I'm really glad I'm here, despite the non-stop sensory stimulation. Today, Jason went to scope out a location he is going to be shooting on Thursday with some other tremendously talented photographers. While he was gone, I spent the day exploring Planet Hollywood. After a little while I felt a lot better. Today's activites were much more suitable for my taste. I shopped a lot, people watched, and went to the spa for a pedicure and some R&R. It was wonderful.

Tonight, the parties start, so I'm off to get ready. We've been here for a day and a half, and I haven't had a single drink yet, and I really miss my kids. I'm getting too old.

Allison

VEGAS, BABY!!!!

We touched town in Sin City yesterday afternoon. It was very nice to leave the cold and snow in KC and get here and see palm trees and feel the warm sun beating down on us. We were, however, the oldest people on the plane amid all the spring breakers, but that's ok.

We checked into our hotel (Paris), and it totally sucked. The room was not what they promised us on the phone (picture your Grandma's house), and the whole floor (non-smoking) was smoky. We immediately checked out and went over to Planet Hollywood. Much better choice. The hotel and rooms are all modern and swanky, not to mention NOT SMOKEY, and the casino, bars, restaurants, and shopping are SO much better. I had a sexy still of Bruce Willis watching over me while I took my bubble bath in the very deep soaking tub last night. It was so nice that I didn't have to bathe alone. We have a strip/Bellagio fountain view from our 38th floor room, and memorabilia from the movie The Jackal in our room. Very cool.

Just let me start off by saying we are here for work, people. We attend these workshops and conventions to research all the new happenings in our industry, and to advance in our career. We can't really help it if some parties with open bars, spa visits, poker playing, night club hopping, or go go dancers slip in here and there.

We'll bring all of our newfound photography knowledge home with us, but the rest is staying here.

Allison

New Podcast - Altf

I had a chance to sit down with a good friend of mine, John Michael Cooper with Altf photography. Below are a few shots from shooting around at the Wiebners Workshop in PA. If you want to take a listen just click here to access the podcast page.

If you want to see his newest concept image, you can check it out here at DBUI www.dontboxusin.com




DBUI

Podcast

Ashley & Brandon

Maggie & Greg

Katie Falk

I had a chance to photograph one of Kansas City's little secret, Katie Falk. I met Katie last year when I shot Autumn in Repair and Casey Todd at a small club up in North Kansas City. Katie has a beautiful voice and someday will hit it pretty big. She is on Facebook and Myspace just do a search and you will find her. Until then i found two links on You tube.....