More PPA Charities Operation SMile Pix!

Hey gang! I just opened an account with Flickr. You can log on to http://www.flickr.com/photos/veronicaleal/?donelayout=1 to see more of the candid shots that I took for the Operation Smile fundraiser at Imaging USA in Phoenix.

PPA Charities

One of my favorite charity organizations is the Professional Photographers of America Charities "Operation Smile".


Every year, the members of the PPA unite and donate thousands of dollars to help children and young people born with facial deformities receive the medical treatment required that would normally not be possible.




Our organization is so great because we send money to send medical teams to different countries to perform the operations. The medical team that the Operation Smile organization sends donates their talents and time. The mony is used to cover the costs of providing these services.




This year at Imaging USA, we held our annual fund raiser. We met at the Alice Coopertown Restaurant. A local band (who was fabulous)entertained us and food and fellowship was enjoyed by all. By the way...these events are where the BEST NETWORKING possibilities come forth. Hundreds of items were donated for our silent auction by photographic vendors and we were able to bring in some extra $$$$ besides the already donated amount to the charity.

This year, I was honored and privileged to be able to take the event's candid photographs again. Here are a few snapshots of some of my friends and different faces that make Operation Smile possible. I hope you can make it next year!
Cheers!
V-

Imaging USA - Woohoo!!!

WOW!!! I am getting SUPER STOKED about going to Imaging USA again. This will be my third time attending and it will be SUPER to be able to see all of my friends and meet new ones.

This year, I get to photograph the American Society of Photographers banquet again. Last year, I was given the honor of taking all of the candids for the event and I have been asked to do it again this year as well. What an honor to be able to meet and photograph our country's BEST of the BEST photographers! You can learn more about this organization by logging on to www.asofp-online.com

This will be the gown that I will be wearing to the dinner. I like to shop online quite a bit, but this year, I forgot to purchase a gown early enough to accomodate shipping time. I searched all over Lawton and then drove in to Wichita Falls where I was lucky enough to be able to find this one in my size.

I leave on Friday and will be there early enough to attend some of the pre-conference events. I will post pix of Phoenix and Imaging USA next week!

Cheers!

New Travel Camera/Computer Case

Since I find myself traveling a lot lately, I had to share my new investment with you......I hope this info helps you too.
I have learned that my aching bones can't handle my suitcases, laptop bag, and camera backpack at airports anymore. So, I picked up this new large wheeled camera/computer case at the SWPPA convention. This bag is made by PELICAN and is one of their RSV series bags.
The bag is water resistant and lined with PVC coated nylon for durability. I really like that the dividers are removable and there is enough room inside for several SLR cameras and plenty of lenses and accessories.
Now for the BIGGIE!!!!!!!!! My 17 inch laptop fits very nicely in the front pocket which is removable via zipper! So that means that when I get on a plane, I can unzip the front where my laptop fits, put the strap on it, use that portion as my purse, and use the actual case as my carry on which fits nicely in the stowing area!!
I can't WAIT to use it!!!! I probably won't use it until I go to Arizona for our National Convention in January though.
To get information on the bag, you can log onto www.bkaphoto.com. The bag retails for $399, but I picked it up from Midwest Camera for $219. I liked the black one most becasue it matches with EVERYTHING!!