A photography conference is a great place to level up your skills, build your portfolio and connect with your peers. There are dozens of photography events across the country, each with different benefits and costs. So, we rounded up the best conferences for photographers in 2023.
Which photography conferences should I attend in 2023?
A photography conference brings together professionals, students, and teachers in the industry. It’s a place to learn new skills and collaborate with other pros. And they usually offer on-site shoots, so you can add to your portfolio. You’re sure to find an event that appeals to your photography niche.
Here are some of the best photography conferences coming in 2023.
#1 The Hybrid Collective
The Hybrid Collective is a three-day educational conference for film, digital, and hybrid photographers. The hybrid collective promotes collaboration over competition. It’s a space for professionals to come together and learn from each other.
Through a mix of presentations and classes, you learn from renowned photographers, such as Ashton Jean Pierre, Daniel Kim, and Sacia Matthews. In these sessions, award-winning photographers discuss:
- Burnout
- Making money
- Diversification
- Curation
- Setting goals
- Working with a creative team
- Sustainable business practices
You can also attend optional “styled shoots” for an additional fee. These shoots are a master class in staging, lighting, and shooting for a particular aesthetic or destination. For example, you can learn to shoot a wedding on the beach, literally!
Date: April 16 – April 20th
Cost: $999
Location: Omni Amelia Island, FL
#2 The Heart Conference
This event, hosted by The Heart University, is all about growing a profitable photography business. This conference is an opportunity to enhance your business skills, learn from industry leaders and connect with other creative entrepreneurs.
The speakers have yet to be announced. But last year’s conference dove into everything entrepreneurship, like:
- How to save 20k per year with contracts
- Marketing, branding funnels, and customer journey
- Building multiple streams of income
So, you can expect similar sales, business, and marketing-packed content for this year’s event. The conference seats 300 total, so get your tickets as soon as you can!
Date: October 10th – October 12th
Cost: $997 – $1659
Location: Denton, TX
#3 Wedding MBA
Wedding MBA is a hub for wedding professionals, from florists to caterers to photographers. Wedding MBA hosts over 150 seminars with 100 speakers. Some of their photographer-specific sessions include:
- In a flash – A special focus on sales, closing, and negotiable deals
- Camera Shy – A spotlight on building a boudoir photography business and tips for posing
- Photo Academy – Using advertising and marketing, online search , and social media to fill your booking calendar
- Timeless – Using AI to edit photos, create content, and save time
And you can take to the showroom floor to view products and services from over 200 exhibitors. Wedding MBA is a great event whether you’re looking to connect or stay on top of trends in the wedding industry.
Date: November 6th – November 8th
Cost: $409
Location: Las Vegas, NV
#4 Thrive Photo Conference
The Thrive Photo Conference was created for luxury destination wedding photographers. It’s planned by wedding pros, for wedding pros. So, get camera-ready for speakers, invaluable education, and fun activities.
Also, take part in styled shoots at the beach or luxury venues. It’s a great way to build a portfolio with lifestyle, wedding, and destination content in a top city for weddings.
Date: November 13th – November 15th
Cost:$1800
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
#5 PMRE 2023 Conference
The Photo and Media for Real Estate Conference is a real estate photographer’s dream.
Attend panel discussions or workshops The speakers for the 2023 conference have yet to be released. So join the waitlist for updates on the program. Speakers at the 2022 conference dove into trending topics for real estate photographers, like:
- Scaling your business
- Metavers nfts and digital real estate
- Doubling your clients with video
- Value proposition
So, expect inspirational seminars for the upcoming event. You can also participate in networking breaks and collaborate over happy hour or luncheons. Or take part in live photo critique or editing sessions.
Date: November 8th -9th
Cost: TBD. Workshops may have additional fees.
Location: Las Vegas, NV
#6 School Photographers of America
The SPOA 2023 conference offers ideas to grow business and opportunities to network with department heads and suppliers from across the country. Hear from keynote speakers Jean Fruthc and Arthur Greener. And you can participate in photography workshops before the session.
This conference is a good option for school photographers hoping to connect with yearbook companies, lighting suppliers, insurance companies, etc.
Date: July 10th – July 13th
Cost: $435 (non-members)
Location: Greenville, SC
#7 Click Con
Click Con is a four-day event for photographers and videographers. Come ready to participate in themed workshops, networking excursions, and an interactive trade show floor with the latest gear and equipment. You can even build your portfolio with 150+ models on-site and ready to shoot.
This conference is very hands-on. You’ll attend classes in different locations across Chicago. So, come ready to practice new techniques from top-tier instructors.
Date: August 1st – August 4th
Cost: $40 – $600
Location: Chicago, IL
Register Today
A conference can open doors for your photography business. You learn, collaborate, and grow with industry experts. Who knows, it could lead to your next gig? At the very least, you discover new ways to help your clients.
PocketSuite can help grow your photography business. We have all the tools you need to manage appointments and communicate with clients. You can run your business straight from your phone!
