BYU-I PHOTOSHOP WORLD TRIP: It's Time for Photoshop World in Las Vegas!

Scroll down for Top Spots to See & Shoot in Vegas!

1. PHOTOGRAPHY PLAN: World Class Photo Ops: There are so many fun, clean things to do in the Vegas area and many photo ops waiting to happen. This city is a blend of many mini-countries and shooting here is like going on a world tour. Your photos can look like you have spent many vacations in exotic places, so always be on the lookout for unique scenes. Of course, this means taking your camera with you! We will drive the van/cars right up the casino or event entrance and let the valet park for us, so we can spend more time shooting and seeing the sights! You can also get some greats of models with perfect lighting and setups in the EXPO area at the convention Wed - Fri. There is a contest related to this too.

2. FOOD PLAN: We will enjoy the free La Quinta breakfast buffet each morning. I want to have a brief meeting together each morning at breakfast to make a plan for the day and review what sessions everyone is attending. Lunches will be on your own, mainly at the Mandalay Convention Center, but you can always group together as you like. If you want to save some money, we can stop at a grocery store so you can buy a sandwich, water, yogurt, or whatever to take for lunch. We will eat dinner together twice (Tuesday and Friday), at a nicer restaurant, where we can sit together and share what we are learning. You can save some money on Wednesday and Thursday nights because there will only be a few minutes to grab a sandwich in between sessions.

Sample Food Budget that will keep you around $100 for food:
1. Monday $15 ($5 lunch at a convenience or fast food place on the way, with $10 dinner)
2. Tuesday $25 ($10 lunch on your own, Dinner Meeting together: $15 Cheesecake Factory )
3. Wednesday $20 (lunch and dinner on your own at the conference center)
4. Thursday $20 (lunch and dinner on your own at the conference center)
5. Friday $40 (Lunch on your own at the conference and Dinner Buffet together: $30 Buffet.)
6. Saturday $10 (Inexpensive lunch and dinner along the road.)

This totals $130, but most people your age may spend about $40 on food in five days. So your actual extra food cost could be around 100, if you are careful.

Restaurants:
1. Top 10 Buffets: Most of the good ones are $25 - $35 for dinner: http://www.lasvegasdirect.com/topbuffet.html

2. Cheesecake Factory 702-792-6888 (Ceasars Palace Shops)… near the Neptune Moving Statue Show. - Tons of food and Huge Menu - $10 - $20. This is affordable and they bring huge portions. You also get the bonus of seeing one of the top casinos and shopping areas, with two free shows (moving Roman statues).

3. Mon Ami Gabi (702) 944-4224 (Paris) Classic French Bistro - My favorite lunch spot to sit, eat, unwind and watch the Bellagio fountains (Soup $8; Lunch $12 - $15 and up) This may be better for a future trip with more lunch time to sit and relax and watch people and fountains. :)

3. ATTIRE: You will need to dress professional for your portfolio review on Wednesday. Thursday should be BYU-I standard clothing, and Tuesday and Friday can be casual, but remember you are representing BYU-I. Of course, casual summer clothes are fine for travel, hotel, and when we are out on our own. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen and sunglasses in case you get a few minutes to hit the pool. :)

4. PACKING:
BAGGAGE: We have limited space! If you are riding in the van, only bring what you could fly with without checking bags (Only one bag that fits in overhead, plus camera backpack, and a small bag for under the seat that has reading, snacks, etc.)

PORTFOLIO with at least 10 prints (8x10 or 8x12) & PHOTOBOOK
CAMERA / LAPTOP / NOTEBOOK: tripod, sd cards, cords, batteries, etc.
MONEY: $100 for food; ? for Gas / Parking / Valet tips (Nothing here, if you paid to ride in the van) / Expo purchases ? (I owe some of the guys $30, so I will pay for their final buffet)
CLOTHING: Appropriate clothes for each day (see above)

BREAKFAST, DRINKS, SNACKS, READING (these items can be in a small bag under your seat)

5. ITINERARY: You may want to print this and bring it with you: https://byui.box.net/shared/s5z3c7rk5irhkdihn9jc

REMINDERS:

1. Sunrise is around 6:10am and sunset is at 7:15pm Best times to shoot is the dawn and dusk: (Most good shots are taken during the first/last hour of the day!)
2 Everyone will make a list of the Top Ten Things Learned to share at the final Buffet /Meeting on Friday.

3. We will eat somewhere nicer together on Mon, Tues and Fri (buffets Tue & Fri), because there won't be time for a sit down meal together on Wed and Thur.
4. I have tried to fit in #1-8 of the top spots to see. If you want to get to #9-15, you will need to go during the free time Tuesday, or maybe Friday night or Saturday morning.

5. Lodging is at the La Quinta Inn & Suites - Las Vegas Airport N Conv. http://bit.ly/milqcH 3970 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109 Phone: 1-702-796-9000

6. TOP 15 SPOTS IN/AROUND VEGAS TO SEE & SHOOT:

1. Red Rock Canyon: A nice drive and photo ops with red rocks. Could be nice at sunset or sunrise.
http://www.worldbestspot.com/Spots.php?id=275&name=Red%20Rock%20Canyon

2. Fremont Street Experience: Covered street with overhead giant screen, closed to traffic and full of shops. http://www.vegaslifeofluxury.com/fremont-street-experience/

3. Bellagio: Fountains – Gardens – Glass Art Flowers – Old Buildings / reflections

4. Venetian: Grand Canal Shops - Gondola Rides – St Mark's Square

5. Ceasars Palace: Fountains outside – Inside Fountain Moving-Statue Shows – Shops – Cheesecake Factory

6. Treasure Island: Pirate Ship Fight – Old Buildings / Ships / Details / reflections

7. Imperial Palace: Auto Collections (classic, antique, muscle and special interest cars) http://autocollections.com/index.cfm?tab=main&action=main