Last week, I spent several days at the WPPI convention and expo in Las Vegas. All and all, it was a fantastic, exciting experience (as it always is), full of revelations both personal and professional. It took me a few days to download and organize my thoughts, but now I am feeling more inspired than I have at any other time I can think of in my career.

I came two days early to view the judging of the annual 16 x 20 print competition. The experience of watching the judges scrutinize and score the work out loud was absolutely mind-blowing; it was the most informative part of the convention for me. In the past, I have entered work into this competition and I generally have earned silvers for my best work. Thus, I gave myself the goal of earning a silver distinction - 5 points higher - which didn't happen for me this year. At first I was sorely disappointed in myself for not having achieved my goal, but when I saw the entries hanging in the gallery it was absolutely evident why this was the case. In my opinion, the quality of work that was entered into this competition was at a completely different level than in previous years; truly it was outstanding. Now, I am feeling so incredibly proud and lucky to have earned my three silver awards, and perhaps a bit embarrassed for my earlier disappointment.

It was really great to catch up with my mentors and friends in the industry and to make new friends with other photographers who live in different parts of the world. I also got some of the inside scoop on new technology that will be coming out this year, and am waiting anxiously to purchase a few things that are going to help me elevate my photography to the next level.