Las Vegas, NV—The Wedding & Portrait Photography Conference & Expo (WPPI) is one of the most comprehensive and effective events to learn the latest skills and techniques from renowned industry experts and educators. The 2018 lineup of Master, Plus and Platform classes, as well as Photo Walks, covers every aspect of photography and how to run a successful photography business.
This year, all Photo+ members receive a free Full Platform Pass to WPPI. The pass includes access to all Platform classes, the three-day expo, Launch Pad and the Live Print, Album & Filmmaking Judging event. This is a savings of $75 on the purchase of a Full Platform Pass ($275). Moreover, Photo+ members also receive a $70 discount on Plus classes and a $50 discount on Master classes as well as all Photo Walks.
In addition to the theater-style Platform classes, a new and expansive schedule of Plus and Master classes is also available for anyone interested in intimate, hands-on learning experiences. Furthermore, for attendees who want to learn while shooting outside the classroom, WPPI offers a range of Photo Walks throughout the conference. Photo Walks typically occur before or after official conference hours, so attendees can participate in conference sessions. 
“We have an incredible lineup of new as well as expanded seminar tracks at this year’s WPPI, featuring the world’s best educators coming together to share their knowledge and experiences as working professionals,” explained Theresa Raffetto, director of Conferences for WPPI and PhotoPlus Expo.
“And with Photo+ members accessing all Platform classes for free, learning has never been more affordable. Our lineup of Plus and Master classes, along with numerous Photo Walks will fill every day of the expo with unique and informative learning opportunities.”
The following is a sample of some of the classes, seminars as well as photo walks. For a complete lineup, visit WPPIExpo.com.
WPPI Orientation
February 25: 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Islander Ballroom
Geared for first-time attendees as well as seasoned vets, the WPPI Morning Orientation will be led by author and creative director Stefan Mumaw. He will share all the conference information needed for the week. During the short time, he will also challenge your creative skills while making sure you meet someone new in the process. In addition, giveaways and prizes are offered.
Platform Classes
A Platform class is a 90-minute, theater-style session that prepares you for everything from becoming a better photographer to running a successful and profitable business. Learning tracks include Boudoir, Business & Marketing, Inspirational/Motivational, Lighting & Posing, Maternity/Newborn, Photo Booth, Portrait, Sports/Action, Technical & Design, Wedding, and also Workflow.
A Full Platform Pass provides access to more than 50 Platform classes. These classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s strongly suggested to arrive at least 15 minutes early for a class.
February 25: 12:00 noon–1:30 p.m.
PC07: Getting More Clients
(Sponsored by Panasonic/Lumix G)
William Innes
Getting new clients is hard. Innes will discuss all the traditional ways to market and advertise as well as help identify strategies that provide greater 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.
February 26: 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
PC19: Photographer’s Guide to Marketing & SEO
Dawn Davis & Julie Roth Novack
Davis and Novack will share digital marketing strategies to build your brand and drive qualified leads. Davis, the “master of frugal,” will share her foolproof ways to market your business on a limited budget. Learn to attract the client that appreciates you as an artist and doesn’t want to run your business. In addition, Novack will share five easy ways to earn traffic and leads through smart SEO strategies.
February 27: 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
PC44: All Sports All the Time (Sponsored by Canon)
Terrell Lloyd
An official photographer for the San Francisco 49ers, Lloyd will give a first-hand look at the exhilarating world of professional sports photography. Football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, swimming, track and field—each sport presents its own unique photographic challenges with regards to lighting and speed. He will also provide pointers on how to choose and use the right cameras and lenses to capture the essence of the sport.
February 28: 8:30 a.m.–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, Lackey delivers her top tips compiled from 15 years of shooting, and consistently selling, portrait sessions. She’ll take you through every stage of a typical photography session, along with behind-the-scenes video illustrations.
February 28: 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Photoshop-Off (Sponsored by Adobe)
Kristina Sherk & Rocco Ancora
For the first time ever, WPPI will present Photoshop-Off, featuring two of the industry’s most celebrated photographers and digital artists—Kristina Sherk and Rocco Ancora. They will go head-to-head when they take the same image and, in a limited amount of time, create postproduction magic in front of a live audience. Hosted by Tony Hewitt.
Plus Classes
A Plus class is a one-day, intimate and intensive learning experience. Limited to 25 participants per class, the two- to three-hour presentation is followed by hands-on training. Moreover, all sessions are taught by a world-class photography instructor.
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 as well as edit cinemagraphs in only four hours to separate yourself from other photographers and filmmakers. Participants should bring a camera and tripod.
February 26: 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
PLUS 07: The Standard Headshot for Today’s Market (Sponsored by Finao)
Lori Patrick
Patrick will explore how to market for headshots, along with portfolio presence. She’ll also share her camera settings for different scenarios and discuss posing and expression techniques during this live demonstration. Other topics will include lighting setups.
February 27: 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
PLUS13: Finding Your Style
Tony Hewitt
Whatever genre you photograph, your personal style is something that cannot be copied. Understand and recognize the value of your personal style, explore how to expand and share that style, as well as challenge yourself to take it to the next level.
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 clients to flatter them? What sets your photography apart from all the others offering boudoir photography? Emery gets participants up to speed with easy lighting techniques. She 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. In addition, Master class tracks cover a wide variety of vital photography and filmmaking topics.
February 26: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
MC23: Create Anything with a Greenscreen Photo Booth
(Sponsored by Photobooth Supply Co).
Catalina Bloch
This course will teach you everything you need to know about greenscreen activations, including lighting, acquiring images, layouts and also interactive greenscreen.
February 28: 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
MC50: Shooting and Processing Amazing Drone Images
Colin Smith
Learn the new rules of composition as well as how to use drones to their fullest potential. Learn how to shoot panoramas and also the best approach for shooting video with Smith’s three-step formula. Moreover, from there participants move into Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Premiere Pro to finalize the masterpiece.
February 28: 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
MC67: Beyond Senior Portraits
Jared Hernandez
Hernandez discusses the process of adding a photo booth to a senior portrait portfolio to generate print sales, additional revenue and also advertising opportunities. Furthermore, expanding your offerings across seasons also means your clients become a source of renewable income. From proms to sweet sixteens, senior portrait photographers have access to a lucrative addition to their businesses: the photo booth.
Film Classes
Film and video production continue to grow in popularity, and necessity, among wedding and portrait photographers. WPPI has put together an expansive list of seminars as well as classes to help attendees learn how to offer and expand film and video services.
February 26: 2:30 p.m.–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 or witnessing the serenity of nature, they can all be ways to get your business growing. Learn different methods to create new business from events that interest you.
February 27: 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
FILM4: Filmmaking for the Wedding Photographer
Jose Ortiz
Ortiz demonstrates the coordination, skills as well as techniques needed to film wedding events. In addition, he will show how to be more efficient in your workflow and discuss different situations of the entire wedding day shoot and how to quickly solve unexpected issues.
Photo Walks
Photo Walks are 90-minute shootouts limited to 25 people. They focus on teaching participants to sharpen their observation and composition skills while shooting alongside an industry leader. Each incorporates the leader’s unique skillset, including off-camera lighting, posing as well as gear and lens selection.
February 26: 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
PW03: Editorial Anywhere (Sponsored by Miller’s Lab)
South Pacific Ballroom F
Hiram Trillo
Learn how to work out in the open day or night and under the pressure of an editorial shoot. This walk will demonstrate how to quickly set up situations for a fashion editorial shoot when time is not on your side.
February 27: 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
PW21: Getting Started with Off-Camera Flash (Sponsored by Nissin)
South Pacific Ballroom F
Joe Brady
Getting 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 also how and where to place lights. wppionline.com
