September Meeting

Headshots with Gary Hughes

As the child of photographer parents, it is ironic that Gary Hughes's professional life included everything but photography until life led him back to the path for which he was ultimately destined, photographer. In 2008, he and his wife, Julie, founded Hughes Fioretti Photography, and, in the years since, have grown their business by making a name for themselves as THE place to get headshots in Central Florida.

Aside from running a studio in Winter Park, FL, Gary is also in demand as a photography educator and travels often, teaching his methods to photographers all over the world. His main focus as an instructor is to empower photographers to create the type of business that sets them free to live the kind of life they want.

Gary’s work has been featured in publications like Forbes, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World, while his educational articles have appeared in Professional Photographer, PetaPixel, Huffington Post, and Canon Learning.

The Headshot Side-Hustle (60-90 minutes)

Portrait and wedding photographers, even really successful ones, often have the same problem: the slow season.

What if you could build another source of income that could keep your studio busy all year?

What if you could take advantage of the high demand for headshots without hurting your boutique studio brand?

In this program, you will learn:

• How to craft a headshot brand and make it grow
• The different types of headshot jobs and how to price them
• How to communicate with B2B clients and speak their language
• Simple and effective marketing strategies

Whether you plan to grow an existing headshot brand or start something new, this class is a perfect primer to get you on the right path.

Dallas PPA Workshop

Volume Headshot Master Class 

Do you ever notice the photographers posting all those big headshot jobs on social media and wonder, how do they get that kind of work? How do they pull it off? Or maybe you’ve done some team and event headshots and you want to book more of it and refine your process. This is a workshop you do NOT want to miss.

Gary Hughes and his team shoot 7,000 headshots a year, and he is going to spend a full day telling you exactly how he pulls it off.

In this full day workshop you’ll learn:

• Creating a B2B brand that businesses will respond to
• Crafting a website that will convert big leads into clients
• Marketing methods to bring in big clients
• How to bid for, book, and onboard corporate clients
• Shooting, organizing, and delivering team and event headshots (LIVE SHOOT)
• How to KEEP your clients once you have them

This is an incredible opportunity to learn from a photographer who is booking and shooting this work on a daily basis. You will get real answers to the important questions and zero fluff. Find out how to get organized, make more money, thrill your clients, and grow your business in a single day of education.

Register HERE

Member 2 Member Program

Off Camera Flash- Nuggets and Tips with Hector Reyes

In this member-to-member class, Hector will demystify Off Camera Flash (OCF) and High Speed Sync (HSS).

Off Camera Flash is typically referred to when flash is used in conjunction with available light to complete the total exposure for a photograph.

Modern cameras and flashes are capable of constantly communicating to deliver the correct amount of light for the correct amount of time as the sensor is being illuminated or the shutter is moving across the sensor.

Hector will discuss HSS in both manual and Through-The-Lens (TTL) modes. He'll also offer his tips/tricks his experience of the years has taught him.

Bring your HSS-capable camera/flash. Hector will bring a model.

Hector Reyes, is a well respected fashion photographer, engineer, and speaker in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Reyes holds a PPA Master Photographer Degree. His work is known for being "professional", "clean" and “modern". He works with designers and brands to develop and photograph their fashion campaigns. In addition he works with many agency models to keep their portfolios up to date with images they love to show off.

*** This event is for Dallas PPA members ONLY ***

Registration closes on September 19th

REGISTER NOW

October Meeting

Making Artificial Intelligence Work for You 

with Brad Barton

Artificial Intelligence is here, and it is not going away. So how do you navigate the new landscape without sacrificing everything to our new Robot Overlords?

• Learn what AI is all about, how it got here, and how to leverage it to work for you without sacrificing your own creative vision
• Learn about some of the copyright ramifications of AI
• Learn how to use AI to enhance your own creativity and find inspiration
• Learn how to enhance your own images using the latest AI engines
• Learn how AI can speed up your workflow and increase your sales
• Learn how AI fits in the landscape of various Competition arenas

Live demonstrations using the latest AI Tools that you can use in your studio.

• Chat GPT for brainstorming ideas, helping write ads and websites, improving images, and more
• Evoto AI Retouching for AI-powered retouching and saving yourself hours of work on every job
• Photoshop Generative Fill and Dream Studio Image Generation to quickly create images and image composites to be ready in the sales room

Brad Barton, M.Photog,M.Artist,Cr, CPP

Brad Barton is an artist, author, and speaker from North Texas who thrives at the intersection of creativity and storytelling. His award-winning photography has been published, exhibited, and even found its way into feature films. He’s the author of Retro Glamour & Pinup Photography, Beautiful Monsters, Seven Seas, and the upcoming Imagination Captured. Beyond images and words, Brad designs delightfully devious tabletop games under his Wooly Pelican

brand. When not making art or mischief, he teaches others how to unlock their imagination—a vital survival skill for life, art, and the inevitable rise of our robot overlords.

Brad is proudly sponsored by Color, Inc.

Member 2 Member Program

• In today’s fast-paced photography market, speed isn’t just a bonus— it’s a business advantage. This will be a practical workshop designed for event and volume photographers who want to increase their income by offering instant digital delivery and onsite printing.

  Whether you're photographing schools, sports teams, parties, or corporate events, clients love getting their photos fast—and they’re willing to pay for it. I will walk you through how to add these services to your existing workflow, from gear and setup to pricing, delivery, and smooth client experiences.

  If you’ve been looking for a way to stand out, work smarter, and add value without burnout, this member-to-member workshop is for you.
  
    

  Why You Should Attend:

• Increase Revenue Per Event by adding high-value, fast-turnaround services
• Learn the Tools & Tech behind instant digital delivery and onsite print setups
• Streamline Your Workflow for high-volume shoots without sacrificing quality
• Stand Out From Competitors with modern, in-demand client solutions.

  

Registration closes on October 18th

REGISTER NOW

November Meeting

The Fundamentals of Dramatic Lighting with Jeff Carpenter

If you’ve ever struggled to make bold lighting choices that feel Intentional, not over the top, this class is for you. The Fundamentals of Dramatic Lighting explores how to use light and shadow to create depth, mood, and visual interest in a way that’s both impactful and practical.

We’ll walk through the fundamentals of lighting and how the distance, direction, and shape of your light all influence the final image. You’ll get a clear understanding of how small adjustments to your setup can create dramatically different results, and how to apply those changes with purpose. Whether you’re just starting to explore dramatic lighting or want to sharpen your foundational skills, this session will give you the tools and inspiration to elevate your work.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how distance, direction, and light shape impact mood and depth
• Understand the role of contrast and shadow in dramatic lighting
• Discover how to simplify your setups without losing visual punch
• Build a foundation that supports both creativity and consistency

Jeff's creative vision, technical expertise, and ability to connect with his subjects allow him to create photographs that tell a story and leave a lasting impact. He is adept at working with clients across various industries, helping them enhance their brand identity through impactful and memorable images.

In addition to his work as a photographer, Jeff is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and passion for photography with others. He is a respected educator who conducts workshops, seminars, and has taught at nationwide conventions such as Imaging USA and WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) for a number of years. He offers valuable insights into the world of portrait and branding photography with a focus the fundamentals of lighting and photography. His teaching style is engaging and accessible, making him a favorite among aspiring photographers looking to hone their

skills.

Jeff's commitment to excellence, creativity, and education makes him a prominent figure in the world of commercial photography. Whether behind the camera or in front of a classroom, Jeff continues to inspire others with his artistry and dedication to the craft.

Dallas PPA Workshop

If you’ve ever struggled to make bold lighting choices that feel intentional, not over the top, this class is for you. The Fundamentals of Dramatic Lighting explores how to use light and shadow to create depth, mood, and visual interest in a way that’s both impactful and practical.

We’ll walk through the fundamentals of lighting and how the distance, direction, and shape of your light all influence the final image. You’ll get a clear understanding of how small adjustments to your setup can create dramatically different results, and how to apply those changes with purpose.

Whether you’re just starting to explore dramatic lighting or want to sharpen your foundational skills, this session will give you the tools and inspiration to elevate your work.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how distance, direction, and light shape impact mood and depth
• Understand the role of contrast and shadow in dramatic lighting
• Discover how to simplify your setups without losing visual punch
• Build a foundation that supports both creativity and consistency

Register HERE

Jeff Carpenter is a commercial portrait, branding, and advertising photographer based in Franklin, TN. With nearly 15 years of experience behind the lens, Jeff has established himself as a sought-after visual artist known for his laid back, yet professional approach to capturing and connecting with his subjects. His work encompasses a wide range of styles, from captivating corporate headshots to compelling lifestyle, fashion, and fitness imagery.

Jeff's creative vision, technical expertise, and ability to connect with his subjects allow him to create photographs that tell a story and leave a lasting impact. He is adept at working with clients across various industries, helping them enhance their brand identity through impactful and memorable images.

In addition to his work as a photographer, Jeff is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and passion for photography with others. He is a respected educator who conducts workshops, seminars, and has taught at nationwide conventions such as Imaging USA and WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) for a number of years. He offers valuable insights into the world of portrait and branding photography with a focus the fundamentals of lighting and photography. His teaching style is engaging and accessible, making him a favorite among aspiring photographers looking to hone their skills.

Jeff's commitment to excellence, creativity, and education makes him a prominent figure in the world of commercial photography. Whether behind the camera or in front of a classroom, Jeff continues to inspire others with his artistry and dedication to the craft.

Register HERE