Viva Checklist by Dianna Prince ( Do's & Don'ts )

It's that time again folks! Time to prepare for Viva 2019. By now, most people coming from out of town, have already planned ahead and began preparing.

I've been extremely busy since 2019 began, and since I live in Vegas, I've just recently started preparing. I believe this is my 4th, and fabulous year attending.

Every year I end up learning, what not to do, and my plans change, every year. There's so much to see and do, it's endless, and super exciting. I will attend the car show's opening day, only, like I did last year. Although, no live bands, no food trucks set up, wayyyyyy less people, and no venders, I still had fun.

It's so difficult to meet up with people, on the car show's main day. Soooo loud, can barely hear on my cellphone, and at times, no reception to text or message people. Because of how many people are there, the entire day, its nearly impossible to get images without people in the background. Yes, its possible, but difficult, and cars are parked so close together.

I personally, do not shop during Viva. It's super awesome that so many vendors are setup, and many people bring money just to shop. I do love the variety of food, but I can go inside the casino and eat, afterwards.

For me, Viva is much like my career as a pinup. I'm always going to be involved, its always super fun, just like all my photo shoots, the fun part, is a given. However, for me, its definitely about biz as well. Being a columnist for 2 pinup magazine's, representing a pinup clothing company, having my pinup master course, and now my professional role, as a publicist, Viva is something essential, that will bring me new content.

There is endless networking, endless opportunities to showcase yourself, your styling, your wardrobe selections. If you're a model or stylist, this is a fantastic way to showcase your work, you're a walking billboard. People exchanging biz cards, flyers, social media links, and I'll be doing many interviews.

I don't know how many pinup models will even attend opening day, but inside the hotel and casino, the entire week, there are thousands of pin-ups and Rockabilly folks walking around. Undoubtedly I'll get a few, great interviews.

This year I'm going to do another hotel suite shoot, with one of my main photographers. This will be our 3rd Viva shooting and having fun. I'm positive I'll meet him at the car show's opening day, as we did last year. It's just so much better, when you're trying to get great shots for magazine publication.

I invited my main model, as I did last year, to also be photographed at the hotel suite shoot. I'm excited because she's so professional, so laid back and every single time I've worked with her, EVERY SINGLE TIME, was fabulous! Hopefully she'll be with me at the car show, as well.

Its already, unbelievably hot in Vegas, come mid April! Even if there's thunderstorms, light rain, or a bit of wind, its ALWAYS still very, very warm. The sun in the deserts harsh, it beats down on you, quickly. You can easily get dehydrated, especially if you plan to drink alcohol.

There is the pool party, which I believe is 3 days, and the main day, is on a Sunday. I absolutely hate to miss it, but financially I'm unable to invest in a High Rollers ticket, to simply attend 2 events. I'll be busy and can't attend more than, like 2 events and the hotel suite shoot. That's quite an investment to only attend 2 things. Plus, my wardrobe, spending money, etc.

At the pool party, the area is substantially smaller than the car show area. There can be a long line, of 30 minutes or more, to get inside. There was one food cart, 2 years ago, but before then, there was no food, only drinks. People get to the pool party very early and take up all the lounge chairs. I believe the vintage bathing suit contest begins around 3 PM. If you arrive just before then, there will be absolutely no chairs with umbrellas, right near the pool, and you'll be in line awhile.

Getting publication quality shots, is also nearly impossible, unless you shoot way before lots of people begin to arrive, or way after most people have left. I know photographer's that photograph models poolside, before noon, in the am hours. Last Viva pool party I attended, I didn't get a single shot of me! Not one! Way, way too many people! Yet, its sooooo much fun!

Live bands, all day and night, inside and outside of the hotel. People who live a vintage lifestyle, and professionals in the pinup industry, attend. Tens of thousands of people, travel from all over the world, to attend this event every year!

Women are often talking about wearing comfortable shoes. To me, there are many other style shoes, that are cute and comfy, other than complete flats, ballerina type slippers. I actually find open toe mules quite comfy, if they're the right size. What I do is, bring flats to walk around in, and keep my heels inside my bag, until I'm ready to shoot, with the cars.

One thing I really want to stress is, BE TOTALLY 110% CONFIDENT IN YOUR CHOICE IN WARDROBE! It's going to be warm, the sun will be beating down on you, you may sweat, BRING COLD WATER! If you aren't completely comfortable in your outfit, they may be visible in the images.

There are soooooo many people taking pictures! Models, photographer's, designers, biz owners, car owners, and people in attendance, that have nothing to do with the pinup industry. DON'T expect everyone to walk up to you, and ask to photograph you, or provide you with images.

You may get images taken of you by random people, and you were unaware, or posing for a photographer, and don't know what poses flatter you, so you end up with images of yourself, all over social media, that are UNFLATTERING! Be aware of your facial expressions, poses and posture. I'm saying, if you are a model, this is essential!

Practice some poses, at home, during your wardrobe test, to see which poses, to NOT do, AHEAD OF TIME! Remember you won't be walking around at a live event, a public event, with cameras, images and video being taken, at any given moment! No filters, no photoshop, no editing the parts of you, that YOU dislike, and always asked to be removed, altered and edited!

Here's my checklist for Viva

1. Sunglasses, sunblock, parasol

2. Comfortable, cute shoes, shoes to model in

3. Medium size tote bag or bag pack

4. Ice cold bottled water

5. Biz cards, flyers, autographed prints, calendars, etc.

6. Baby wipes, lotion, hairspray, mouth wash, antibacterial gel - travel size

7. Makeup powder, lipstick or gloss

8. Your ID

9. Money for food, money for beverages, money for merchandise, money for taxi's

10. Have an exact time and exact spot, you'll meet up with people

All the things, minus the parasol, can be placed in your tote bag or bag pack. Travel size items are inexpensive, easy to find at Walmart or online, and seriously come in handy!

If you plan to eat and drink, think of your breath, because you will be talking to many people. The sun may cause you to perspire, so bring powder to take away the shine. Or, you'll end up with a super shinny face and nose in every image and video.

The porta potties are unpleasant and often no more tp left. Bring baby wipes, bring tissue, bring antibacterial hand soap or gel. Bring your lipstick for retouching, especially if you'll be eating and drinking. Gloss or chapstick, because your lips will get dry.

Don't expect to run into anyone. If you want to definitely meet up with certain people, decide exactly where and the exact time. Its extremely loud at the car show, and hot, so you don't want to be waking around, a huge lot, on your cellphone trying to figure out where people are.

Everyone attends the car show on different days and times, as well as all the exciting events inside the hotel. I say, plan to stay at least 4 hours or so, and do not go with anyone who isn't clear on your exact plans.

Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince

Images by Peter Smith of Pinupworship Magazine