traveluncommon

I’m back from a few days in LA. Unlike last year this time around felt a bit more routine. I spent the afternoon in Torrance and the rest of my time at the Sheraton Gateway LAX. This is certainly not the most exciting travel entry but it was good to see some friends, co-workers and acquaintances.

On the way to LA I ran into the team at Ashford University. Ross & I traded iPhone notes and reviewed the March shoot. I’m looking forward to working with my friends from Ashford again in October. Thanks!

It was fun to spend some time with Jamie & Laura Tuesday night at the Grotto (or whatever that outdoor shopping center was called). Of course it was great to see the whole Pictage crew but I only really had some real time with these two this time around. Everybody’s so busy these days including my favorite Community Development diva, Lisa Allen! See ‘ya in October, Lisa!

My man, Adam Linke, was keeping busy talking with studio owners and promoting his seminar at the conference.

Denver consultant, Katie Van Buren, also spoke at the conference and worked with our studios.

I also enjoyed meeting the Lou from Hoodman and Barney from Fuji. Always good to see J from Livebooks! Some people have only one name like Cher, Bono and my cousin Marni. J takes it to the next level by using only a single consonant!

Meanwhile, Kevin Swan from KISS Wedding Books (and a fantastic photographer in his own right) was in overdrive as he had a booth to promote his albums, spoke at the conference and teamed up with another photographer to create a night out on the beach for the convention-goers complete with limo rides, a photo booth and beverages-a-plenty for all who attended. Had I not been worn out I might have taken them up on the limo!

As far as the presentations went I very much enjoyed hearing from fashion/wedding photographer Carlos Baez and Chicago-based destination photographer David Wittig. While everybody else was in such a rush to get out of town on Thursday it was nice to have some time to spend with David & Nancy after the conference.

Freelance writer Donna MacKay was in the house …always a pleasure to see Donna! I’m looking forward to her next article scheduled for November’s issue of Rangefinder Magazine.

Also in the house was Canon’s new 1DMkIII, 40D and G9 cameras. I’ve never really considered purchasing a point-n-shoot camera but, if I did, the G9 would be a contender!

So there it is: LA:2007.

All that’s left is my obligatory shot from Chicago O’Hare.

Photos by iPhone. No, I don’t shoot weddings with it.