WPPI has released their extensive list of seminars, classes, and photo walks for 2018’s show

 

 

WPPI is one of the best shows a wedding or portrait photographer can attend. It's not only fun and full of excellent networking opportunities, but their seminars, classes and photo walks are also a must for attendees. This year, WPPI is making their event even more cost effective by giving all PHOTO+ members a free Full Platform Pass to WPPI which includes access to all platform classes, the 3-day Expo, Launch Pad and the Live Print, Album, and Filmmaking Judging event. This translates to an immediate savings of $75 on the purchase of a Full Platform Pass ($275) along with numerous other membership benefits. PHOTO+ members also receive a $70 discount on PLUS classes and a $50 discount on Master classes as well as all Photo Walks. Non-members can sign up for PHOTO+ membership ($199.99) during the WPPI registration process.

In addition to the theatre-style Platform Classes, a new and expansive schedule of Plus and Master Classes are also available for anyone interested in smaller, hands-on learning experiences. For attendees interested in learning while shooting outside the classroom, WPPI is offering a wide range of Photo Walks throughout the conference. Photo Walks typically occur before or after official conference hours so attendees can maximize their schedule and fully participate in conference sessions.

Just check out this list of events they have announced:

WPPI Orientation
Sunday, February 25 – 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Islander Ballroom
There is a lot to see and do at WPPI 2018 with activities spread out over four days and we don’t want you to miss a thing! Whether this is your first time at WPPI or you’re a seasoned veteran, we want to kick WPPI off right and help you take advantage of the greatest resource the conference offers: each other. The WPPI Morning Orientation will be led by author and Creative Director Stefan Mumaw who will share all the conference information you’ll need for the week. Stefan makes orientation entertaining and fun with laughs, giveaways, and prizes. During the short time together he will challenge your creative skills while making sure you meet someone new in the process.

PLATFORM Classes
A Platform Class is a 90-minute, theatre-style session that prepares you for everything from becoming a better photographer to running a successful and profitable business, and so much more. Learning tracks include Boudoir, Business & Marketing, Inspirational/Motivational, Lighting & Posing, Maternity/Newborn, Photo Booth, Portrait, Sports/Action, Technical & Design, Wedding, and Workflow. A Full Platform Pass provides access to over 50 Platform classes. Platform Classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis so it strongly suggested arriving at least 15 minutes early for the classes you wish to attend.

Sunday, February 25 – 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.
PC07 Getting More Clients (Sponsored by Panasonic)
William Innes
Getting new clients is hard. Getting the type of clients you want to work with is even harder. William Innes will discuss all the traditional ways to market and advertise and help identify strategies that provide the greater value and success. The secret is how to get people talking about your brand. If you are just starting your business or looking for ways to expand, this is one seminar you do not want to miss.

Monday, February 26 – 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
(PC19) Photographer’s Guide to Marketing & SEO
Dawn Davis / Julie Roth Novack
Join Dawn Davis and Julie Roth Novack, as they share digital marketing strategies to build your brand and drive qualified leads. Dawn, the “Master of Frugal,” will share her foolproof ways to market your business to success on a limited budget. Learn to attract the client that appreciates you as an artist and doesn’t want to run your business. Julie will share 5 easy ways to earn traffic and leads through smart SEO strategies.

Tuesday, February 27 – 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
(PC44) All Sports All the Time (Sponsored by Canon)
Terrell Lloyd
Terrell Lloyd, an official photographer for the San Francisco 49ers, will give you a first-hand look at the exhilarating and challenging world of professional sports photography. Football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, swimming, track and field, each sport presents their own unique photographic challenges with regards to lighting and speed. He will provide insights and pointers on how to choose and use the right cameras and lenses to truly capture the essence of the sport, whether shooting at a major sporting event or any youth sporting venue.

Wednesday, February 28 – 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
(PC62) Start To Finish: How To Master An Entire Portrait Session! Preparing for, Shooting, and Delivering a Photography Session That Sells
Tamara Lackey
In this new program, Tamara Lackey delivers her top tips compiled from 15 years of shooting (and consistently selling) portrait sessions. Join Tamara as she takes you through every stage of a typical photography session, along with behind-the-scenes videos illustrations.

Wednesday, February 28 – 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Photoshop-Off (Sponsored by Adobe)
TBD / Rocco Ancora
For the first time ever, WPPI is pleased to present Photoshop-Off, featuring two of the industry's most celebrated photographers and digital artists— Kristi Sherk and Rocco Ancora. Join the fun and learning as Kristina and Rocco go head-to-head when they take the same image and, in a limited amount of time, create post production magic in front of a live audience. Attendees will be able to see what both are producing but neither photographer can see what the other is doing.
Hosted by Tony Hewitt, Photoshop-Off promises to be a fun and educational highlight at WPPI this year.

PLUS Classes
A PLUS Class is a one-day, intimate and intensive learning experience. Limited to 25 participants per class, you’ll experience classroom learning through a 2-3 hour presentation followed by hands-on training. All sessions are taught by a world-class photography instructor.

Monday, February 26 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(PLUS09) Cinemagraphs: Biggest Trend in Digital Content Creation
Joe Switzer / Kristin Rolla / TJ Gaylord
Learn how to shoot and edit mind-blowing cinemagraphs in only four hours and separate yourself from other photographers and filmmakers. The top brands in the world have only recently started using cinemagraphs so the timing is perfect to start offering your clients video services. Participants should bring a camera and tripod.

Monday, February 26 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(PLUS 07) The Standard Headshot for Today’s Market (Sponsored by Finao)
Lori Patrick
These days everyone can use a headshot. It is a way to become known in your community and lead to more substantial work Lori Patrick will explore how to market for headshots, along with portfolio presence. Lori also shares her camera settings for different scenarios and discuss various posing and expression techniques during a live demonstration. Other topics will include lighting setups (studio and on location kits and background choices that need to be made for clients best representation.

Tuesday, February 27 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(PLUS13) Finding Your Style
Tony Hewitt
In a competitive industry, we are all looking for the edge that will help us stand out from our competitors. Whatever genre you photograph, your personal signature and style is something that cannot be copied. Understand and recognize the value of your personal style, explore how to expand and share that style, and then challenge yourself to take it to the next level.

Wednesday, February 28 – 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(PLUS24) Lighting Boudoir and the Conceptual Nude (Sponsored by Interfit)
Jennifer Emery
Boudoir photography is not about putting your subject in alluring wardrobe and snapping a photo. You need to think about the concept and theme of your shoot. How will you light and pose your client to flatter them best? And what sets your photography apart from all the others offering boudoir photography? Jennifer Emery gets participants up to speed with easy lighting techniques that will take them to the top of their game and drive additional business. Jennifer will draw lessons from her recently published book The Nude, Conceptual Approaches to Fine Art Photography.

MASTER Classes
A Master Class is a focused two-hour, hands-on session limited to 50 participants that provides a detailed learning experience. Master Class tracks cover a wide variety of vital photography and filmmaking topics.

Monday, February 26 – 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
(MC23) Create Anything with a Greenscreen Photo Booth (Sponsored by Photobooth Supply Co).
Catalina Bloch
Master the essentials of greenscreen activation. This course will teach you everything you need to know about greenscreen activations including, lighting, acquiring images, layouts and interactive greenscreen.

Wednesday, February 28 – 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
(MC50) Shooting and Processing Amazing Drone Images
Colin Smith
In this session, attendees will learn about the new rules of composition and how to use their flying machines to their fullest potential. Learn how to shoot panoramas and more, as well as the best approach for shooting video with Colin's 3-step formula. From there participants move into the magical worlds of Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro to finalize the masterpiece.

Wednesday, February 28 – 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
(MC67) Beyond Senior Portraits
Jared Hernandez
Jared Hernandez walks participants through the process of adding a photo booth to their senior portrait portfolio which will generate print sales, additional revenue and advertising opportunities. Expanding your offerings across seasons means that your clients become a source of renewable income. From proms to Sweet Sixteen, senior portrait photographers have access to a lucrative addition to their business – the photo booth.

FILM Classes
Film and video production continues to grow in popularity, and necessity, among wedding and portrait photographers. WPPI has put together an expansive list of seminars and classes to help attendees learn how to begin offering film and video services as well as how to expand these creative services already in place.

Monday, February 26 – 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
(FILM3) Turning the Personal Project into Commercial success (Sponsored by Tamron)
Andre Costantini
Whether you are chronicling the life of a child, following celebrities of international acclaim, witnessing the serenity of nature or putting yourself in front of the camera they can all be ways to get your business growing. In this session, learn different ways to create new business from events that interest you.

Tuesday, February 27 – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
(FILM4) Filmmaking for the Wedding Photographer
Jose Ortiz
Join Jose Ortiz as he explains and demonstrates the coordination, skills and techniques needed to film wedding events. Ortiz will show how to be more efficient in your workflow and discuss different situations of the entire wedding day shoot and how to quick solve any unexpected issue.

PHOTO WALKS
Photo Walks are exclusive 90-minute shootouts limited to 25 people each that focus on teaching participants to sharpen their observation and composition skills while shooting alongside an industry leader. Each Photo Walk will incorporate the leader’s unique skillset, including off-camera lighting, posing, gear and lens selection and so much more.

Monday, February 26 – 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
(PW03) Editorial Anywhere (Sponsored by Miller’s Lab)
Hiram Trillo
South Pacific Ballroom F
Learn how to work out in the open day or night and under the pressure of an editorial shoot. This photo walk will demonstrate how to quickly set up situations for a fashion editorial shoot when time is not on your side.

Tuesday, February 27 – 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
(PW21) Getting Started with Off-Camera Flash (Sponsored by Nissin)
Joe Brady
South Pacific Ballroom F
Getting your flash off-camera is the greatest step you can take to create the best light on your subjects. This photo walk covers the how-to, when and why to make it happen quickly and easily. Topics covered will include TTL and Manual Flash, High Speed Sync and how and where to place your lights for the most beautiful results.

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There is an absolute ton of stuff worth doing at WPPI this year, and with their location at Mandalay Bay (which they have secured through 2020 by the way; that contract was finalized last week) things are definately looking up this year. As we've mentioned, they have much to prove after last year's show, but with their emphasis this year on the key points of what makes WPPI great along with an incredible list of events, they're more than on the right track.

This year should be a blast.