Throwback Thursday - Back to 2009 and WPPI

This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once,
even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect.
Jodie Picoult

Blues Traveler at WPPI 2009

by Skip Cohen

When you've been doing Throwback Thursday long enough, past throwbacks deserve to be shared again. I shared this in 2017, but it goes back to my last WPPI as prez. Two weeks later, after a serious disagreement with WPPI's owner, I resigned and headed off on my own.

The Awards Reception is held on the last night of the WPPI convention. It's an evening jam-packed with recognition, primarily for artists who have entered WPPI's print competition. The image above shows most of the WPPI team in 2009, who, along with 150 or so incredible volunteers, made the convention happen that year at the MGM Grand.  We had an estimated 15,000 attendees and a star-studded lineup of programs and entertainment, including Blues Traveler, sponsored by Nikon in MGM's Garden Arena.

Jerry Ghionis, jumping in on the right, while not working directly for WPPI, was pretty much an ambassador and photo-bombed the shot—helping to set the trend long before its time. 

A lot of people give me credit for building the show, but it was never just me. This was the A-team that became a family. However, two people are missing in the group shot above: Marlene Gourlay, who always refused to attend the last night's reception, and Gennie Kiuchi, who stayed in Culver City to keep the office going during the convention. 

If you haven't gone off searching for a "Throwback Thursday" image for today, what's holding you back? While I always remind you to share throwback images on your blog to remind clients of the important role photography plays in their lives, it's also a fun personal experience. I've got the biggest smile on my face right now, as this group shot brings back a whole lot of wonderful memories.

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

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