One of the best ways to grow in your photography business and build up your community of fellow creatives is through photography conferences. I’ve attended some amazing conferences and I’ve attended some that…well, won’t be on this list.
Everything is organized by date so you can find the conferences and workshops that work with your schedule. If you don’t see a conference that you’ve loved, let me know about it in the comments. I’m always growing this list.
Creative Educator Conference
January 15-17, 2024 in Dallas, TX
This is the Conference for up-and-coming Creative Educators who are ready to grow and established Educators who are dedicated to scaling and bettering their craft and current offers!
More info about the Creative Educator Conference
Conquer Live
January 26-28, 2024 – Rosemary Beach, FL
The two most important things when it comes to providing education for you are value and accessibility. This event is packed full with BOTH including incredible access to educators, all meals included and even your lodging!
More info about the Conquer Live
Imaging USA
January 28-30, 2024 in Louisville, KY
“Imaging USA features classes, networking opportunities, and a huge trade show to help you feel inspired and ready to grow your photography business.
This year for the first time ever, we’re bringing all the education and excitement to the Washington, D.C. area. And to make your experience even more rewarding, pre-con classes are available in the days leading up to the conference.”
More info about Imaging USA conference 2022
Lens and Light Photography Summit
February 26-29, 2024 in Mystic, Connecticut
The goal of the Lens & Light Photography Workshop is to provide an educational experience and networking community to inspire current and upcoming photographers within the wedding, commercial, portraiture, and creative industries.
More info about Lens and Light Photography Summit
Abundance Workshop
Date to be announced soon for Spring 2024
“This workshop is to show you how to start getting paid what you’re worth so that you can reach your goals faster + live the life you’ve dreamed of.”
More info about the Abundance Workshop
WPPI Conference
March 3-7, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
WPPI is the premier industry event for professional, amateur and emerging wedding and portrait photographers and filmmakers.
Surround yourself with both familiar faces and new friends as you browse through top brands who are eager to debut their newest products.
Off the show floor, zoom in on WPPI’s education lineup, where you’ll get up close and personal with top instructors from around the world. Put the finishing touches on your session experience by adding an in-depth Intensive or Master Class, or get real-time instruction on a professionally led Photo Walk
Hybrid Conference
March 24-28, 2024 in Dripping Springs, TX
“Our goal is simply to unite the community so our collective voice can be heard. We promote cooperation over competition. We wanted to build an educational platform for film and hybrid photographers to join together, to learn from each other, and most importantly, to support each other. We love film and we love our fellow film photographers. We have worked hard to bring you the best of the best from our community.”
More info about Hybrid Conference
Shutterfest
April 2-4, 2024 in St. Louis, MO
Get started or learn more about boudoir, branding photography, headshots, wedding photography, senior portraits, and even photograph some dogs while you’re at it! The historic Union Station Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for hands-on classes.
Reset Conference
April 29-30, 2024 in Grand Rapids, MI
“This conference is for photographers who are looking to grow their craft and run their businesses better. This is NOT a conference only for beginners. This is a conference for all photographers regardless of your skill level. Whether you’ve been in business for one year or twenty, this conference is for you!”
More info about Reset Conference
ClickCon
July 30 – Aug 2, 2024 – Detroit, MI
ClickCon is featuring some of the best speakers and educators from all over the world, over 150+ models for you to use to help build your portfolio, over 50 scenic and historic Chicago locations where you can photograph the models, themed workshops and excursions, and three days of an interactive trade show floor with the top vendors and pros, themed shooting bays, and all the latest camera gear available for you to try out.
More info about ClickCon
Photo Cookout
October 2024 – Date TBD soon
The photography conference is the first of its kind to celebrate diversity and Black photographers that includes an all-Black speaker line up. The Photo Cookout aims to give photographers of color an opportunity to connect in person, form life long relationships, and support in their businesses
More info about the Photo Cookout
Wedding MBA
November 12-14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
“With wedding professionals from around the world, 180 exhibitors, and over 150 educational seminars, Wedding MBA is the must-attend event for wedding professionals looking to take their businesses to the next level. Find out the latest in business, tech, trends, and more during this 2.5 day resource-packed event.”
2024 Photography Conferences
- Creative Educator Conference – January 15-17, 2024 in Dallas, TX
- Conquer Live – January 26-28, 2024 – Rosemary Beach, FL
- Imaging USA – January 28-30, 2024 in Louisville, KY
- Lens and Light Photography Summit – February 26-29, 2024 in Mystic, Connecticut
- Abundance Workshop – Dates TBD
- WPPI Conference – March 3-7, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Hybrid Conference – March 24-28, 2024 in Dripping Springs, TX
- Shutterfest – April 2-4, 2024 in St. Louis, MO
- Reset Conference – April 29-30, 2024 in Grand Rapids, MI
- ClickCon – July 30 – Aug 2, 2024 – Detroit, MI
- Photo Cookout – October, 2024
- Wedding MBA – November 12-14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Why wasn’t ClickCon in Chicago and Shutterfest in St. Louis mentioned?
I love this list. There are so many I had not hear of. Here is an article about how to attend photo conferences so you get the most out of them. I hope it can help your readers.
https://www.panosproductions.net/unpacking-photography-workshops-all-you-need-to-know
Good morning,
I tried to contact you via your contact form, but it isn’t working.
I produce the Virtual Creative Photography Conference and I’d like to be added to your list.
Feel free to reach out for more info.
Thanks, Hazel
We would love to get on this list. We have an all women’s photography conference on February 6-9, 2025. Nature, landscape, wildlife.
How is the Photo Cookout about diversity if the focus is an all black speaker lineup? Will next year’s speaker lineup have be all Asian? Curious minds would like to know.
Is it truly a curious mind?
Whatever it is, I’m not part of the team behind the event, but I think it helps to look at the bigger picture. The Photo Cookout isn’t about excluding anyone. It’s about creating space for Black photographers who’ve been underrepresented in the commercial photography world for a long time.
An all-Black speaker lineup might seem like it’s going against the idea of diversity, but in this case, it’s actually addressing a gap. Most industry events rarely feature Black creatives in visible or leading roles. This kind of platform gives them the spotlight they don’t always get, not just for the sake of being seen, but to build community and share knowledge in a space that’s been historically tough to access.
Diversity doesn’t always mean including every group at every event. Sometimes it means focusing on one group that hasn’t had the chance to lead the conversation. There’s room for other events to highlight different voices, and they should. But there’s real value in what this event is doing.