It was our very first time in Las Vegas. We arrived to flashing lights and billboards, clinging slot machines, smokey dim light, pounding bass, and AWESOME friends. We were so happy to see familiar faces among the crowd and insanity. To say the least... we did not fit into the whole Vegas thing.

Don’t get me wrong, we had a great time, just not with anything that Vegas had to offer. It was a wonderful trip for a few reasons: One: we got to hang with Ryan and Kelly Portnoy, our bestest photo friends and mentors (Kellan Studios: They’re “the truth”). Two: we found new inspiration and insight, exciting new product and renewed focus. Three: we got to meet unbelievably talented professional photographers who were honest and real with us. People that affirmed our reasons for respecting and admiring them. Folks like: Punam and Andy Bean, and of course, Ryan and Kelly Portnoy. Others, we got to listen and learn from like: Cliff Mautner and Joe McNally. And some we had the pleasure of just laughing way too loud with like, Dan Portnoy, Ryan’s brother and our Las Vegas FUN Guide... thanks, Dan.

This, in the above photo is the famed fountains of the Bellagio and much more importantly and interestingly, with arms spread in “jubilee”, is the legendary Dan Portnoy. I don’t know how many games of “Would You Rather” we played throughout the three days together. ( I have a post in the works just for that... soon.) And, of course, we’ll have a post about our Arizona photo shoot with Kellan Studios

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We’re so happy to be home, excited at what’s ahead and thrilled at what Emblem is shaping into.

Tags: Lethbridge Photographers, Vegas 09, WPPI 09