The second night we were here we went to the Hard Rock cafe for a nice quiet dinner... it didn't happen. Instead we fell in love with the staff as they had us laughing until we cried and our stomachs hurt. So we went back the next night ... and the next night....

In that time we met Marie. She is the sweetest person!! In one of our chats we heard a bit of her story - she had a rough couple of months. And you know what - you have a decision when bad things happen. You can get bitter or you can get stronger and move on changed. Marie cut her hair, started working out and has an awesome attitude on life. We had to wait until Tuesday afternoon to photograph her and her daughters because she was building a house with Habitat for Humanity. You know - what most single moms who is actively involved in her daughters' lives while working a full time job does. I love Marie.

So, we wanted to give her something. And the best thing we can offer her was some memories of this time in her life - where she could choose bitterness or love... and she chose to love. Just look at how her entire face beams. Love.







Meet 9 year old Brianna - she loves to read fantasy books. She is a helper - getting up early to help make breakfast and school lunches. She loves her sister - even when she's a brat. She is poised and confident - at supper someone came over to our table, and Brianna held out her hand to shake and said "Hello. I'm Brianna." with so much confidence - you would think she was 25. Brianna also loves fashion and modeling. Watch out world!





And meet 7 year old MacKenzie. Like my 7 year old Madison she fell in love at SeaWorld and wants to be a dolphin trainer. She's a little munchkin who probably did 100 cartwheels in our time together. She giggles easily. She doesn't sit still because there is a run, cartwheel or spin just waiting to bust out.





Sisters - one minute loving... the next fighting. Got to love it.







Marie, Brianna and MacKenzie - it has been an honour getting to know your family. Thank you for supper and for many laughs.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

This is my fourth year coming down to WPPI. Every year Sunday is my favourite. Usually there are not as many classes or activities on Sundays - and so we take the day off, rent a car and go exploring!! It's become a tradition that I love.

I'm not much of a city gal - so I love to get away from the glitz, lights and noise (and smoke! Is this the last place on earth you can smoke in a building?) and just re-focus. When Mark and I travel - we're the same. I remember when we were in Europe - our highlights definitely were when we rented a car and just explored the countryside and small unknown towns.

In past years at WPPI we've gone to the Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, Ghost Towns... but every year I return to my favourite place. Valley of Fire.

So this year we took a minivan AND a car of all of us Canadian gals (where are all the guys this year? The women are representing!) and off we went...

We shoot each other as models each year - great practice for photographers to be shot and be reminded what it's like to be on the other side of the lens. Look how ridiculously excited we get.... ha ha.



Kathy just wanting to snap!



The other constant in my WPPI travels is Sandra... every year she and I have made this trek together!



And the last two years Nataschia has joined our travels



Finally we keep going and get to the Valley of Fire. It's an hours drive at most out of Vegas - and so gorgeous!





Oh! And look who else is at the Valley today...





ANd then the fun begins. Oh - did I mention it was RAINING all day? Raining in the desert. Strange.

I've been coming to WPPI for 4 years... and every year I say I'm going to enter the print competition. Every year I procrastinate or chicken out. This year I missed the cutoff. But... then they extended the deadline and I decided I HAVE to do this!! So, I decided I only had time to get one photo ready, printed, matted and shipped.

Entering the room for print competition I felt ill. Nauseous. These are international print judges from the UK, Australia and across the US. Multi-award winning judges looking at my photo? It seemed Like two separate worlds of mine colliding. The world where I read magazines and blogs of these award-winning photographers and drool over their images. And me sitting at home in Ontario at my computer editing, sending emails, ordering prints and working away. We spent a couple hours of watching the print competition - learning so much from their critiques. SO much.

Well, when my two worlds collided these are the words I heard....

"Photography standard"

"It's art I would hang in my home"

"Great black and white"

"Beautiful, timeless pose"

"Breathtaking"

"it looks real and not over photoshopped"



It was a great experience and now I'm eager to up my game and enter more next year.

And then I logged on to Facebook, and found this new review on the edison page from Angela (the bride in this image):

"The depth of a beautiful photo is just a reflection of the depth of the artist behind the camera. I don't know how she does it, but when you look at Krista's photos you recall what you were thinking in the moment. She will bring out things you thought were only knowable from the inside. Her photos aren't simply pictures, they're diary entries."

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

After a long day of classes and heads full of information - we headed out for supper. Armed with our cameras as always...



We went for a walk through the mall off the strip and found a Betsey Johnson store. I've loved her stuff since I was in high school drooling over magazines. Seriously - would these little numbers not look adorable as a wedding dress - or as a reception dress?



We told the staff straight out that we weren't buying anything - but could we try on some stuff? Not only did they say "yes" but helped us pick out outfits, shoes and accessories. Don't all girls love playing dressup? And Nataschia is seriously mulling over going back there to make some purchases....









Nataschia getting a wee bit excited













Then we met our new friend Rian who insisted Nataschia needed a makeover. Now. He was hilarious. Almost had her convinced the trend is to wear eyeshadow all over your hand up to your elbow. "Really Rian? I'm not sure..."





Doesn't she look great?



Our friend Rian...



And then we met p with more friends who had just flown in - we suggested Hard Rock for their dinner of course... and we popped in to say "hi" to our newly arrived friends - Kathy and Barb.

We met back up with Marie who wanted some new photos of herself. Love this girl so much. We hope to do some photos of her and her daughters in the next couple days... when she isn't out being the top server for all the worldwide Hard Rock restaurants or building houses for Habitat for Humanity....









Such a fun night. And remember a couple days ago I blogged about listening? It's been reinforced here. As we listen to our new friends stories that live here in Vegas we hear stories of miscarriage, death of loved ones, people walking out on them, big dreams and more. We are pleasantly surprised to discover the people of Vegas may have a tough exterior - but I think each one we spoke with told us about some charity they're involved in, about people they love and adore. The people here are beautiful. Keep watching for their photos.

Celebrating life and love,

Krista