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My Day at the PhotoPro Expo 2013

The PhotoPro Expo 2013

Joe McNally at the PhotoPro Expo 2013 in Cincinnati

Joe McNally
teaching photographers lighting at the
PhotoPro Expo 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio
(click image to see full size)

Last Sunday, I moseyed down to Cincinnati to check out the PhotoPro Expo at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. My main motivation was to be able to soak up some of Joe McNally’s greatness while he spoke and inspired the crowd during his The Moment It Clicks presentation.  But alas, after soaking up as much as I possibly could, I still did not receive any calls from Nat Geo or SI. So, the method of using osmosis to become a great photographer has still not been proven yet. I guess I will still have to keep working at it.

The biggest lesson I learned while listening to Mr. McNally (I really just want to call him Joe, but out of respect to his body of work, I stick with Mr. McNally), is a story he shared about meeting one of his idols.  Mr. McNally was relieved to hear that sometimes, even his idol missed ‘the shot’. That is a very important lesson for photographers.  Sometimes, even the greats, miss the shot.

Joe McNally at the Westcott Model Area giving some tips.

Joe McNally
at the
Westcott
LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout
Area giving some tips. (click image to see full size)

About the PhotoPro Expo

The PhotoPro Expo is the largest photography trade show that occurs within a moderate driving distance to me in Dayton, Ohio. This year the fun started on Thursday and ended with an all day workshop by Kevin Kubota on Monday. Thursday and Friday was full of many different speakers. In addition to speakers, the trade show started up on Saturday and went on through Sunday.

Inside the trade show you could find all types of vendors from framers to virtual backdrop vendors. I particularly enjoyed talking with the different print providers to discuss different price points for my portrait work. I am really interested in getting some huge metal prints done, so the trade show was very beneficial. But of course, inside the trade show was the LIVE Model Fantasy Shootout by Westcott. The photos below are some of the shots I took in that booth.

Kaylee - Westcott's LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout at PPE 2013

Kaylee – Westcott’s LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout at PPR 2013 (click image to see full size)

Kaylee in the Westcott LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout area at PPE 2013

Kaylee in the Westcott LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout area at PPE 2013 (click image to see full size)

Westcott's Live Model Fantasy Shootout at PPE 2013

Westcott’s Live Model Fantasy Shootout at PPE 2013 (click image to see full size)

Rick Sammon Teaching HDR at PhotoPro Expo 2013

Rick Sammon Teaching HDR at PhotoPro Expo 2013 (click image to see full size)

This year, along with Joe McNally, there was a cavalcade of talented instructors and personalities. I personally took part in sessions with Lou Freeman, Rick Sammon, and saw Kevin Kubota taking a lunch break back in the cafe area. Sandy Puc was also on hand broadcasting her SPTV.com show out at the entrance to the trade show. I was sad to miss Zach and Jody give their Three Keys To Running A Thriving Wedding Business presentation, but at least I got to listen to them talk with Sandy for a bit.Rick Sammon was in the Westcott booth, providing helpful tidbits and some of his vast knowledge to those taking part in the Westcott LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout. After his stint in the Westcott area, he headed over to the teaching area where he taught a workshop on HDR.

Lou Freeman Demos Two Ice Lights

Lou Freeman Demos Two Ice Lights (click image to see full size)

After Mr. Sammon left the Westcott area, Lou Freeman stopped by to give some tip high fashion looks, and showed different interesting uses of the Westcott Ice Light.  There is a photo below of Lou giving a demo with one of the models with two Ice Lights.My day at the PhotoPro Expo was incredibly fulfilling. From the insight from Joe McNally to the networking with other photophiles, PhotoPro Expo was well worth the money to take part in a great exhibition. If you have any questions about it feel free to leave a comment below, tweet me, contact me on my Facebook page, or you can fill out the contact form on my website.

Cross Processed Shot from the Westcott LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout at PPE 2013

Cross Processed Shot from the Westcott LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout at PPE 2013 (click image to see full size)

Black and White Kaylee in Westcott LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout at PPE 2013

Black and White Kaylee in Westcott LIVE Fantasy Model Shootout at PPE 2013 (click image to see full size)

Rick Sammon demos a reflector  in the Westcott Live Model Fantasy Shootout at PPE 2013

Rick Sammon demos a reflector in the Westcott Live Model Fantasy Shootout at PPE 2013 (click image to see full size)

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