Las Vegas Photographer | Adventures From The Vegas Strip To The Desert

Las Vegas is one of my favorite places to visit so when I heard that Sal Cincotta was hosting a 3 day photography workshop there called Project Lunacy, it was a no-brainer. Workshop tickets, flights booked and hotel secured within an hour! One thing I strongly believe in is continued education. No matter what industry, career path or life you lead...NEVER STOP LEARNING!! For me, photography is something I cannot get enough of and is a true passion. I can't envision my life without a camera in hand.  I attend one to two, out-of-state, full photography conferences or workshops per year and consider it a vacation.  Throughout the year I take local classes in Denver and online courses to keep my skills and education sharp as well. 

Project Lunacy was the best investment in myself I have ever made! I cannot say enough positive things about the people I had the pleasure of meeting, the people I was able to reconnect with and the things I learned. The epic photos were just an added bonus!

This first set of photos are from Jeff and Christine Tonkin's of DigiSmiles class on styled senior photography and were taken on the rooftop of The LINQ Hotel. We started during the middle of the day when the desert sun was right above and bright as ever. We got to work with a variety of models and lighting equipment to learn how to overpower the mid-day sun. As the sun set we practiced some really cool techniques to create some fun night photos. 

Yours truly!! Thank you Carrie Meumann for sending this to me!

This next set of photos was seriously freakin EPIC!! Sal took us to the Dry Lake Bed outside of Vegas. I learned how to shoot in direct natural sunlight as well as working with lights in one of the dustiest, dry locations I have ever been. I will never photograph the same way ever again! 

The last day I was in Vegas I participated in two photo shoots that fellow photographers coordinated. The first one was at a location I have been wanting to visit for years...The Neon Museum!! I was over-the-moon excited about this shoot! We had amazing models, great wardrobe and one of the coolest locations...the catch? We had exactly one hour to get in...prep...shoot...clean up...and get out. It was an insane whirlwind and I loved every minute of it! Huge Thank you to Carrie Meumann of Avenue Studios for organizing everything and inviting me along!! 

We scooped everything up and headed straight for the desert! The next location was the Nelson Ghost Town at Eldorado Canyon. This place is a photographers dream! So many cool spots within a very short walking distance including the notorious military plane wreck site. Even though this looks like an authentic world war era plane crash it's actually a movie prop from the 2001 film 3000 Miles to Graceland starring Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner. 

After we were finished with the various photo shoots I went exploring and snapped a few photos of the location. It was crazy to see how many cars and random objects have just been abandoned in the middle of nowhere near the Arizona border. This is such a beautiful and unique place. If you ever have a chance to check it out I highly recommend making the trip. 

Looking out at the Arizona border

This trip changed my photography life. I learned so much and love the people I met. 
Always chase your dreams....go on an adventure...never stop learning!!