Throwback Thursday - WPPI - Eight Years Ago Tonight

I'm sure I shared this image once before, but after a few minutes of searching and not easily finding it in past posts, I decided to share it anyway. 

On the last night of the WPPI convention, every year is the Awards Reception. It's an evening jam-packed with recognition primarily for artists who have entered WPPI's print competition. The image above was 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.

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 it's time. LOL

Today is the last day of WPPI and tonight is the Awards Reception. It was a complete surprise to me last year when two good buddies, Bambi Cantrell and Tony Corbell presented me with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nobody could be more proud of the privilege to have worked with the crew pictured above to build the convention and RF Magazine. That year attendance was around 15,000.

While a lot of people give me credit for building the show, it was never me, but a team that became a family. However, two people are missing in the group shot above. Marlene Gourlay always refused to attend the last night reception and Gennie Kiuchi, who stayed in Culver City to keep the office going. Today you'll find Gennie's name on the masthead of Rangefinder Magazine as the Production Manager...and she's one of the very best in publishing!

If you haven't gone off in search of a "Throwback Thursday" image for today, what's holding you back? While I always remind you to share throwback images on your blog as a way 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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