WPPI


Diary of a WPPI Newbie: Day 4, Part 2

March 9, 2023

By Abbey Pleviak

© Ella Ketzner

After lunch, I wanted to write before heading back to the WPPI Lounge and Stage to hear the 12 Month Startup LIVE broadcast with Cat Ford-Coates and Saray Taylor-Roman, but chance had other plans for me.

I’ve been hoping to catch up with Ashleigh Taylor, who is a featured instructor with The Portrait Masters with her courses on Instagram and Facebook Marketing, and who spoke on Day 2 about how to successfully build a boudoir business. Ashleigh also gave image reviews, and we’ve been planning to chat about her experience as an instructor, but for days, we’ve been passing by each other with only enough time for quick hi-byes. But suddenly, there she was sitting right across from me in the hallway, so we seized the moment to connect.

[Read: Diary of a WPPI Newbie: Day 4, The Penultimate Day, Morning]

Ashleigh explained that the photographers get randomly matched up with image reviewers. As a result, she spoke to lots of photographers in many different genres of photography. Rather than diving into critiquing their images, she asked photographers what they would like help on. Many of them were interested in finding out why they were having trouble selling their images, so most of her sessions turned more into business mentoring sessions because their images were already solid. Ashleigh really knows the business of selling portraits, so I’m sure these were helpful sessions for the photographers.

Next, I got to speak with Chelsea Mendenhall, who lives on the Elgin Air Force Base in Florida. My friend Angela Anderson introduced me to Chelsea this morning, and Chelsea was kind enough to give me a ping after her afternoon image review and tell me about it. Chelsea is fairly new to photography and so prepared by picking images she thought were her very best, so that she can push herself to grow in her craft. She matched up with Jenn Lewis who she saw talk this morning on “Overcoming Obstacles to In-Person Sales.” Jenn gave her tips to lock in her lighting, drawing a diagram, and giving her actionable steps for how to create feature defining shadows on her subjects’ faces. Chelsea is excited to get back home and start playing with and perfecting her lighting.

[Read: Direct Flash: Timeless Style or Flash in the Pan?]

Chelsea also got some business advice from Jenn encourage her to join a local networking group, like a Chamber of Commerce, and focus on helping others rather than selling herself. This advice changed Chelsea’s mind about the strategy she told me about earlier in the day to focus on social media marketing because she is fairly new to her area and doesn’t know if her husband will be transferred again soon, necessitating starting over again in a new location. The image review, helped her see that part of the reason she hadn’t wanted to network in person was because of fear, but Jenn’s advice helped her overcome that fear and see the value in networking now even if she is unsure about the future.

Chelsea said, “One thing that changes when you get to meet other fellow photographers. . .you see that in all these different situations, they are succeeding. Your excuses start to drop away because you realize that if they did it under these circumstances or with this setback or ‘weakness,’ then I can do it, too. That’s one reason why it’s been really good for me to talk with other photographers. . .and I really like that kind of community.”

Chelsea and I parted ways with a “see you later at the 80s Party!” I hope we recognize each other with big hair!

WPPI Judging Room
The Judging Room. © Abbey Pleviak

Then, on my way to The Portrait System LIVE in the WPPI Lounge, I stopped very briefly at the Judging Room. Last night, at the Shootout, I had spoken to Shem Williams, who is a wedding and industry photographer, along with his father, in Trinidad and Tobago. Shem told me that his favorite part of WPPI so far has been the Judging Room because hearing the way the judges evaluated photographs has inspired him to pay even more attention to precision in his own photography. When I was there, the Judging area was packed, and I was running late for the LIVE, so I hurried on.

When I arrived at the WPPI Lounge and Stage, I was disappointed to see that I had missed it entirely. Fortunately, the LIVE broadcast now lives on The Portrait System website as part of the 12 Month Startup Program, so I’ll be able to catch it there.

Nikki Closser
Nikki Closser during her seminar at WPPI. © Abbey Pleviak

Then, I headed over to Nikki Closser’s seminar, “Got Clients? A Full Calendar without Burning Out!”  Honestly, at this point in the day, I was feeling tired and ready to relax, but I’m hooked on Nikki Closser, so I couldn’t miss seeing her talk. Every week, I write a synopsis of The Portrait System Podcast hosted by Nikki, and she is such a kind and generous teacher who genuinely cares about helping people succeed in their business. She talks to photographers from all over the world, so brings their collective wisdom to bear when she speaks. 

[Read: Diary of a WPPI Newbie: Day 3, Show Floor to Shootout]

One of the most impactful things Nikki shared was a challenge to help photographers gain the confidence to raise their prices to industry standards. Consider the question, “How will charging industry standard pricing help you (and your family)?” Next, write a list of everything you can think of. Nikki’s list included being able to work less, so she could spend time with her family, see her children grow, and not feel resentful toward her clients from giving them more energy than she was receiving. It was an emotional part of her talk, and I could feel the wheels turning in everyone’s heads as they contemplated what they will be able to accomplish in their lives when they increase their prices.

I really encourage everyone to check out Nikki’s podcast if you haven’t yet. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain—it’s free!

After Nikki’s talk, I headed to my room for dinner and to write. Tonight is my last night at WPPI. There were other seminars and photo walks I would have loved to attend, and intriguing offerings tomorrow that I’ll be sad to miss. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride, and I’d have seen everything on my list and more.

Well, I must sign off now, I have a date with some hair spray and the Smug Mug Totally 80s Dance Party!