Ok, so I realize that I am a photographer and that photos are important to me. So I want to make it clear that I am taking off my "photographer hat" here and writing as a woman on an online dating site. Ok? Ok!

First of all, and most importantly: USE A PHOTO OF YOUR FREAKING FACE. I don't care what your abs, chest, arms, or back look like. I want to see your face. I want to know what you look like. What are you afraid of?? Although I must admit, that the guy can not be prettier than the girl. I must be the pretty one in the relationship ;)

Secondly, try to take a decent photo of yourself. I may sound shallow in saying this, but I am sure I am not alone. If I don't like your profile photo, I move on. I don't bother to take the time to read your profile. If I don't feel any sort of connection from your photo, I'm over and done. You may be an attractive guy, but your photo sucks. Ask a friend to snap one for you if you're not able to do it yourself.

Third, have more than just ONE photo in your profile. I want to get to know you, see the different sides of your personality and character. If you have only one photo, even if it's a really GREAT photo, I may not make a connection with you.

Fourth, please do not use images of you with a harem of women hanging off of you. This is a major buzzkill. What do you think you're going to prove here? That you have some magnetism and charm that causes women to want to hang off of you?? If it's your sister, mom, daughter, write so in the description. I think it's cool you're a family guy. But not cool that you run with a harem. Just sayin'.

I personally have about 10 images of myself on my profile. Some of me alone and some with me and my dog (I want full disclosure up front that I am a crazy dog lady!). I am sure I missed some key points, but these are four that are important to me and I am sure to many other women in the online dating world as well.

I hope that you will continue to join me on my adventure!
~amy <3

A Photographer's Play-Time in Vegas

This past week I had the pleasure of joining approximately 12,000 fellow photogs in Las Vegas for our annual convention of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). This was my fourth year attending with my awesome professional lab, Northwest Professional Color. I was fortunate to spend a week with the greatest lab owners in the world, Susan and Andy Rau; along with Greg Carlock and Martin Grahame-Dunn in an MGM Sky Loft!!

Each night we hosted a hospitality night and photoshoots in our Loft, and I was able to photograph some outstanding models, including America's Got Talent Seth Grabel, who has his own Vegas show at the Roayl House. I also photographed some Vegas Show Girls, a Vegas Belly Dancer, and our beautiful model Keely. We also hosted a photoshoot in Nelson, a ghost town, on Saturday afternoon with about a dozen awesome photographers.

I love spending time with my favorite photographers and friends, and I love learning more and more every year I attend. I love meeting new photographers, and networking and exchanging information and skills. It fuels my creative juices and always leaves me feeling recharged, (although this year it left with me a cold and cough as well LOL) 6 days of running full speed and little sleep take their toll on a gal, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!!! I can handle a little sickness ;) It made me long to come home and try out some new techniques and line up clients and models for new sessions and styles that I want to implement! It also inspired me to really kick up my Rock Star 101 teleclass, I know it's an awesome class and know how much it will help other photographers improve their business and up their game!! I am excited to start making some changes and start kicking some more ass in everything that I have brewing! Be sure to join me for the ride, because it's going to be EPIC!

While in Vegas I also got to play a little bit! Friday night Susan and Andy took me to see Motley Crue at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. It was an AMAZING show, they really truly put on a great performance and I am so glad I had the chance to see them! Saturday night I had free VIP tickets to the Vanity Nightclub in the Hard Rock Hotel, and danced to the mixes of nonother than Jersey Shore's DJ Pauly D. I know it's cliche, but I was super excited to see him in action! The club was PACKED and I partied it up until 4 a.m. Vegas style!! A gal's gotta have a little play time before focusing on work in Vegas!!

All in all I had an outstanding trip and came home feeling incredibly blessed knowing I am surrounded by outstanding photographers and friends. Here are some images I created, I hope you find them inspiring!!! (an contrary to popular belief, I actually DO get work done and learn stuff while in Vegas, but yes, I also DO play while I am there!)