I knew things were going to be alright when I walked up to the conference registration line yesterday and ran smack into The Pioneer Woman. O.M.G!!!
Ben was with me and was all – what the hell is wrong with you?! – when I started geeking out. She was quickly surrounded by dozens of fans, and I was too shy to say anything anyways, so I took a stalker photo with my iPhone.
Muwahahwwesome!
This morning I woke up wondering what else would be in store for the weekend. :)
After a nice sweat sesh at the hotel gym, I picked up a Starby’s with my new pre-paid AmEx card to sip on before the conference got started.
American Express sponsored my trip and ticket to BlogHer, and I’m using their new pre-paid card for my expenses while in San Diego. The card is re loadable, has zero fees associated with it, doesn’t impact your credit score and is great for giving to unsupervised, San Diego-wandering husbands to make sure they don’t spend too much moolah while you’re sitting in conference sessions.
I met a new friend Emily in line at Starbucks and we hit the exhibition hall before the first session of the day started.
Holy swag! Brands from Skinny Cow to Dove were inside handing out dozens of samples and coupons. I sipped on everything from a Mango & Pineapple Smoothie from McDonalds (TO DIE!!!!)
to Nutty Dark Chocolate squares from Lindt (among a million other things.)
I lugged my goodie-filled bag to the first session of the day, Bad Blogger Pitches (The Other Side of the Blogger/PR Relationship.) Here are my takeaways:
When pitching to a brand/PR company, approach them with the following information:
- Why you want to work with the company/brand
- What makes you and your blog special
- What your background is
- Other similar companies/brands that you have worked with
- Who your community is (age, gender, location)
- Traffic AND engagement metrics
- How the relationship can be mutually beneficial
After the session, it was lunch time. I’ve been so impressed with the meals/snacks provided at the conference so far. Not only is everything super fresh and healthy, but they have gluten-free and vegan options available at every meal. Nice, right?
Spider monkey!
Better. ;)
OMG there was a flash mob during lunch – HA!
I was going to head back to my room for a little R&R before my next session, but as I was heading out the door, I passed by the Tropicana booth which was giving out free manicures.
Sweet!
They were offering pink or yellow, to coincide with their lemonade flavors.
I chose pink, naturally. :)
Afterwards I headed to my second session of the day, Photography: A Metaphor for Life with Penny De Los Santos, an incredible photo journalist and food photographer.
INSPIRING was the first word that came to mind as I left this session. This woman is almost as good of a story teller as she is photographer, and I had goosebumps the entire time.
Here are my takeaways:
What makes a great photograph?
- Light. Where is it coming from, how strong is it, is it filtered or direct, etc.
- Color. Follow the color. Examine the time of day, what people are wearing, background, etc.
- Composition. Something you learn and study.
- Subject. Pick a very visual subject. If shooting food – pick something that has tons of texture, detail and is very visual – ie, not white rice.
Tips:
- Practice patience. It may take HOURS to get that perfect shot.
- Change your perspective a ton – up high, down low, etc.
- Follow the color and movement
- Use props when shooting food
- Don’t be afraid of movement in a photograph (blur)
How to grow:
- Look at photography everyday. Magazines, books. Study the photographs and styling.
- Practice regularly.
- Keep a visual journal to develop good habits.
- Surround yourself with people that challenge you
- Show your work to your peers, editors, anyone who can give you constructive feedback
Gahhhh I wish you could have been there – it was such an incredible session, and I now want to be a professional photographer when I grow up. :)
Well I’m back in my room now snacking on some Skinny Cow treats I got at the expo hall while I wait to meet some girls for happy hour.
In case you were wondering, Ben’s been pretty much livin’ the dream today. Hung out at the pool for a bit, had a beer & burger for lunch, and was enjoying a nice forty on the balcony in his boxers when I got home.
Must be rough. ;)
TGIF!
Ash Bear 08.06.2011
I went to BlogHer last year when it was here in NYC. I wish I could have gone this year but it just didn’t work out. Have a blast and take advantage of all the other bloggers there. That is who I learned the most from- Kath, Tina, and Sabrina!
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl 08.06.2011
Sounds like tons of fun! I would have been the same way if I saw the Pioneer Woman! And it sounds like Ben is having a great time, too!
Ali 08.06.2011
Have fun at the conference. It looks like so much fun! I will be really jealous when you get to see Stephanie Nielson!
Courtney 08.05.2011
How exciting that you got to see The Pioneer Woman! I am pumped for her show on the Food Network… I know it will be a hit :) Thanks for the recaps on the sessions, have fun!
NOelle 08.05.2011
It is so fun that your husband came along! Hope you two have fun! I wish I were there!!!!
Dawn Marie 08.05.2011
You are only here until tomorrow? Ugh!!!! Too bad!!
Come back next weekend and meet us in Bev Hills… shopping at The Grove and Beverly Center baby! ;-)
I hope you had a good time!
em @ simplypresent 08.05.2011
Looks like you are having tons of fun! Thanks for sharing your adventures! Poor Ben! ;)
Lisa 08.05.2011
PW……if you get invited to the Ranch can I be your driver? please?
I would have freaked. And then been too shy to say a word. I think!
Donna @ Life of a Happy Blonde 08.05.2011
Sounds like a ton of fun and that you both had great days
Swag makes me swoon :)
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) 08.05.2011
Ha, not sure whose day I envy more, yours or Ben’s!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) 08.05.2011
Looks like the best conf yet! Love the pink manicure. That’s a great color. And how awesome is it to see TPW?? Very! :)
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) 08.05.2011
Wow! What a day!! The Pioneer Women, free samples, a manicure, informative seminars, girl time. . . sounds perfect!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) 08.05.2011
cracks me up that you’d be too shy to approach Pioneer Woman when I think of you as such a huge blogger! I guess she is the queen of food blogging…lol. I would be way too shy to go up to her too!
Ally at A Girl In Her Kitchen 08.05.2011
OMG! You ran into P-Dub!! I would totally freak out too. Looks like a great event. I would love to attend BlogHer conference one of these days!
Kelly F 08.05.2011
Giuliana Rancic is suposed to be there, If I was there I would be soooo stalking her! Find her for me! Haha.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun 08.05.2011
Thanks for sharing with us! I wish I had been able to make that conference. :(
Glad Ben is living the high life. LOL
Lauren 08.05.2011
This conference sounds incredible! And I would have totally freaked out if I was The Pioneer Woman too!! It’s almost the same as our guys running into their favorite NFL player right?
Rachel 08.05.2011
That workshop sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing some of what you learned with us!
And OMG, so cool you saw PW in person! The blogger world is all very jealous!
Lexi 08.05.2011
The Pioneer Woman!!! I met her last fall when she was here in DC for the National Book Festival, and she’s the sweetest thing ever! I managed to get a few photos with her, and she signed my cookbook too! Love her!
http://zubrowka24.blogspot.com/2010/09/posted-using-blogpress-from-my-iphone.html
Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields 08.05.2011
I AM SO JEALOUS! I am totally considering going to BlogHer next year, it sounds like so much fun! :)