SUMMIT SCHEDULE
The goal of Lens & Light is to provide an educational experience and networking community to inspire current and upcoming photographers within the wedding, commercial, portraiture, and creative industries.
DAY 1
MON. FEB. 26
3 PM: HOTEL CHECK IN BEGINS
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
625 North Road (Rt. 117), Groton, CT 06340
860-446-2600
12 – 3 PM: INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS
Unlock the art of captivating culinary imagery in our Editorial Food & Beverage Photography Masterclass. Join internationally acclaimed photographer Rob Grimm, known for his expertise in commercial photography and his educational contributions to the field. Together with professional food and beverage photographer Meera Seetharaman, they will guide you through the process of skillfully blending natural light with strobes and continuous lighting, creating engaging food and beverage images at Shipwright’s Daughter, a beautiful award-winning local Mystic CT restaurant. Immerse yourself in practical techniques and creative approaches, drawing from Rob Grimm’s extensive experience and his bold and graphic style, and Meera Seetharaman’s unique storytelling style, rooted in a passion for food and a mastery of moody, detailed, and rustic styling.
LOCATION: Offsite at Shipwright’s Daughter (Register first at the Mystic Marriott)
The American Society of Media Photographers, CT chapter, presents a panel of 4 commercial photographers: Adam Coppola, Jane Beiles, Allegra Anderson and Steve Walter, moderated by ASMP President and commercial photographer Julie Bidwell. You’ll learn about the different paths to success, studio vs location work, budgets, licensing, usage, production, working with art directors, hiring a crew, directing models, set etiquette and so much more.
LOCATION: Mystic Marriott Room 4
4 – 7 PM: INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS
Join Tracy Sweeney for an intimate masterclass in newborn photography! Learn all the essentials for running a successful newborn photography business. Tracy will cover client experience, safety, setup, lenses, packages, product offerings and workflow. She will teach you how she stylizes newborn sessions using everyday fabrics, textures, and simple props to create stunning portraits. Learn how to master Tracy’s proven “One Set Many Images” technique that will save time while increasing image gallery options that boost profit. She will show you examples of how to pose baby beyond the traditional bean bag and how you can apply these skills to separate yourself from the competition. There will not be a live shooting demo, instead this interactive course will feature exclusive behind the scenes and lots of Q&A opportunity special to this small group experience. Bring all of your burning newborn photography questions and nothing will go unanswered.
LOCATION: Mystic Marriott Room 5
5 – 8 PM: INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS
If you’ve never wandered out into the dark with your camera or even wondered if you could even take dramatic night images, this workshop might be for you. Join David Zapatka, the Director of Photography for the United States Lighthouse Society and Emmy winning videographer and photographer at the Watch Hill Lighthouse for a nighttime photographic experience. David has been photographing lighthouses at night for 10 years and has published two photography books of these images. Join him for a Masterclass in Nighttime Landscape Photography with a beautiful lighthouse as your subject. This course offers exclusive private access to the Watch Hill Lighthouse, which is not open to the public. Visit a lighthouse doing its most important work, in the dark of night. Learn how to effectively illuminate a large scale landscape with very little light.
LOCATION: Offsite at Watch Hill Lighthouse (Register first at the Mystic Marriott)
DAY 2
TUE. FEB. 27
6:30 AM: EARLY MORNING YOGA (all attendees)
8 – 9 AM: BREAKFAST (all attendees)
9 – 9:30 AM: SUMMIT WELCOME (all attendees)
9:30 – 10:30 AM: KEYNOTE ADDRESS (all attendees)
What separates the good photographers from the GREAT photographers? While technique and gear certainly play a role, these are seldom the most important element to ‘greatness’.
Renowned fashion photographer Lindsay Adler will enlighten and share how concept development and a unique personal style are the keys to unlocking the next step in your career. She will guide you through exercises to determine your own style, and help you to channel your muses and to create memorable imagery even if you are on a budget.
LOCATION: Main Ballroom
10:30 – 11 AM: BREAK
11 AM – 12:30 PM: WORKSHOPS
If your current offering was a disservice would you want to know? Photographers often miss out on the opportunity to make albums a “must-have” for all photo sessions. Let’s dive into a case study on client experience with clients who didn’t want to invest in an album, and how to change their mind.
LOCATION: Room 1
Explore the impact of incorporating movement in portraiture. Sharing tips and best practices, Kesha Lambert will demonstrate how movement can be used to connect with clients and create captivating images.
LOCATION: Room 2
Do you have a unique Vision? Style? What are you passionate about shooting? How do you go about creating something unique that draws upon your passions? How do you go about creating a collection of images that give evidence to your differentiator, your passions, and your style?
In this session we will discuss the process of creating, planning, and executing a successful personal project and how that project can help you target the clients you dream of landing.
LOCATION: Room 3
Esteban Gil, founder of Steel and Flint society, speaks to the art, importance and technical process of film photography. Esteban will cover everything that you need in order to get started with capturing timeless moments. Which film to use in which lighting conditions? Which cameras should you get started with? Developing and scanning options? Whether you’re implementing it to your business or want to challenge yourself by being more deliberate about your personal projects, Esteban will walk you through the whole process. With a genuine passion for each click of the shutter, you will learn the technical and emotional aspects between light and chemistry. Revealing how the deliberate choices of composition, exposure, and development shape your end product.
In this crazy digital frenzy where memories sit in your hard drive, Esteban will convince you that the nostalgic art of film photography will not only help you appreciate the process, but it will make you a better, more understanding, deliberate photographer.
LOCATION: Room 4
12:30 – 1:30 PM:
LUNCH | VENDOR LOUNGE | PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
1:30 – 3 PM: WORKSHOPS
Join us in ‘Through the Lens of Respect,’ a transformative presentation that blends artistry with ethics. Learn to capture the magic of weddings while respecting and affirming the love stories of all your clients, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community. You will walk away with tools to increase profits while building a business that’s sensitive, inclusive, and truly meaningful.
LOCATION: Room 1
Learn how to enhance storytelling within your work with Meg Loeks! In this children’s portraiture workshop you will learn everything from creative inspiration to color theory and more. Meg will walk you through her composite process and how she simplifies complicated frames by breaking them into parts. Attendees will learn some of her favorite editing techniques within post processing to amplify details and create a polished look. Discover simple yet powerful ways to strengthen the narrative within children’s portraits!
LOCATION: Room 2
Rob Grimm will discuss the most important aspects of beverage photography from understanding brand strategies, pre-production and lighting techniques. Rob will detail what every beverage photographer needs to understand and how to approach client work. He will also discuss his use of AI as an “in-camera” technique to tell brand stories in ways that were unattainable before. While AI has become a polarizing topic Rob views this as an important tool in content creation. Understanding how to use AI will be critical to the success of beverage photography.
LOCATION: Room 3
If you want to explore the art of boudoir photography to empower individuals and celebrate their confidence, then this workshop is for you. You’ll learn pointers on how to create a safe and comfortable environment, guide clients through flattering poses, and build a successful boudoir business that empowers you and your clients. You want your clients to walk out of your studio raving about your photography experience and feeling like a badass, confident queen!
LOCATION: Room 4
3 – 3:30 PM: BREAK
3:30 – 4:30 PM: PANEL DISCUSSION (all attendees)
Framing the Future – The AI Revolution
5:30 PM: SPEAKER SUPPER CLUBS (all attendees)
LATE NIGHT: NETWORKING GROUPS (all attendees)
DAY 3
WED. FEB. 28
6:30 AM: EARLY MORNING YOGA (all attendees)
8 – 9 AM: BREAKFAST (all attendees)
9 – 10:30 AM: KEYNOTE ADDRESS (all attendees)
LOCATION: Main Ballroom
10:30 – 11 AM: BREAK
11 AM – 12:30 PM: WORKSHOPS
For the photographer ready to advance into a new stage of entrepreneurship—email marketing is the key to increasing your revenue, productizing your service, and scaling your business beyond trading time for money.
LOCATION: Room 1
Discover the secrets to thriving in the high-end headshot photography market. With over a decade in the business and almost 30 years in sales, Samantha Schannon shares how she has entered the world of Studio Luxury Headshot and Personal Branding Photography. Join this 90-minute class to explore:
- How to consistently achieve high-dollar sales.
- How to create deeper client relationships by offering a full-service experience.
- The psychology of pricing and maximizing profits.
- How to establish systems, from posing to CRM usage, that take the guesswork out of planning sessions
- Strategies for finding high-spending clients and closing the sale.
This class is perfect for photographers at any stage, offering you the tools to thrive in the upscale headshot market, that will naturally translate into glowing reviews and a steady stream of referrals.
LOCATION: Room 2
Hugo Ceneviva brings his experience of 10 years working as a high end retoucher will present to you all techniques that he uses on his workflow. He will tell you all about his story and will cover many examples to show the wide variety of clients and challenges.
With a versatile skill set, Hugo will show you how to understand and read your images before start working on it, understanding the shapes and textures that help build every shot. We will also dive in the world of details, and why they are so important when it comes to images.
- Importance of a retoucher in a project
- Difference between high-end and regular retouching
- It’s all about the details: how details make a difference in your images and prices
- Styles of retouching and how they are used in commercial projects
- Case studies of 5 to 10 of my projects, breaking down the creative process, idea, and execution
- Incorporating AI into my workflow
- How I see the future with AI integration
- Final thoughts and some inspiration for the new generation
LOCATION: Room 3
If you are interested in hosting successful, highly profitable mini sessions, join Tracy Sweeney as she takes you step-by-step through her entire process. Tracy will teach you her proven, efficient system to get you fully booked, especially during “off season.” She’ll share her best tips for unique, yet efficient, portrait sessions. You will learn how to price your packages strategically and most importantly, how to upsell, for additional profit, without additional work! Learn marketing, preparation, and client experience strategies for mini session success and consistent high-earning income. Tracy is a child & family photographer, however, this course is applicable for all portrait photographers as the strategies can be applied universally.
LOCATION: Room 4
12:30 – 1:30 PM:
LUNCH | VENDOR LOUNGE | PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
1:30 – 3 PM: WORKSHOPS
“Be motivated by the fear of being average” is one of the most inspirational quotes I’ve ever read as a creative. For years, we try and run our creative and business sides around what everyone else is doing. How does everyone edit? How does everyone light? How does everyone market themselves?
All we are doing is conforming to being an average photographer. If we do things like everyone else, we will NEVER stand out in this industry.
After years of being an average photographer, I made a conscious decision to not conform to what everyone else is doing and I started using light in a way that allowed me to stand out. I am not an OCF photographer. I am not a natural light photographer. I am a creative light photographer.
What does being a creative light photographer mean ? It means that I have learned very specific techniques to have in my arsenal for all kinds of lighting situations. If you’re interested in using OCF AND Natural in a way that not many people do, you need to sign up for this class.
STOP BEING LIKE EVERYONE ELSE and start getting creative!
In this Talk, I will teach you how to use unconventional lighting techniques with OCF and Natural light as well as other techniques I use at my weddings that help me stand out and reach my ideal clients.
Do you want clients to hire you because of your work or because of your prices? if you want your work to stand out and clients to hire you no matter how much you charge, this is the class to be in!
LOCATION: Room 1
Join legendary photographer and Nikon Ambassador, Joe McNally, for a slow walk in finding pictures and an exercise in creativity! Joe will demonstrate how to manage light with a few flashes in hand, small light shapers, and how to blend flash and existing light. Lighting for portraiture can be a challenge because different faces require different lighting. It’ll be a fast-paced, fun excursion where he’ll tackle problem-solving on the fly and strategies for success.
LOCATION: Meet at Room 2
Dive into the dynamic world of visual storytelling course, “Creative Fusion: Combining the Art of Design, Photo, and Video.” Embracing the philosophy of “Jack of all, master of none,” this course is crafted for commercial photographers eager to broaden their creative horizons and content creators looking to enhance their skill set beyond traditional photography.
In this immersive experience, you’ll explore the interconnected realms of design, photography, and video, including the captivating world of motion graphics. Our journey will be anchored in the vibrant and fast-paced world of pickleball (don’t worry this could also apply to anything else), providing a unique and engaging context for our demonstrations and hands-on activities.
LOCATION: Room 3
Come dive into the exciting world of underwater photography with Elizabeth Blank. Learn everything you need to know to get started in this exciting genre of photography. The class will start with Elizabeth discussing the equipment, lenses, and settings needed to shoot underwater and how to best prepare your clients for this unique type of shoot. Elizabeth will share her “Session Prep Guide” and cover the five things she does before every single shoot. Participants will have the opportunity to join Elizabeth in the pool where they can photograph models underwater (while participants are not required to get in the pool, it is encouraged, if possible). Elizabeth will be on hand and readily available to answer all questions that participants may have while shooting in the pool. This program is sure to get your creative juices flowing and will leave you wondering what’s taken you this long to “jump in”!
LOCATION: Marriott Hotel Pool
3 – 3:30 PM: BREAK
3:30 – 4:30 PM: SMALL GROUP MENTORING<
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS (all attendees)
6 PM: COCKTAIL HOUR (all attendees)
7 PM: TIME TRAVELERS BALL (all attendees)
DAY 4
THU. FEB. 29
8 – 9 AM: BREAKFAST (all attendees)
9 – 10:30 AM: WORKSHOPS
Whether you are looking to gain experience in the wedding industry or to grow your skills as a photographer, second shooting can get you there! Throughout this course we will review basic etiquette, professionalism, and best practices. Talk gear and settings, responsibilities, and how to get those often missed shots and the extra creative ones. By the end of the course you will have the tools to master your role as the second photographer and take your own portfolio to the next level.
LOCATION: Room 1
Discover the key elements and best practices for planning and executing a successful branding photoshoot for your clients. Throughout this session, you’ll gain valuable insights into helping your clients set their intentions and bring their vision to life. We’ll also explore strategies to streamline the entire process, from selecting ideal locations, outfits, and props to ensuring a seamless and elevated client experience. By the end of this talk, you’ll be well-prepared to deliver personalized and impactful branding photoshoots for your clients.
LOCATION: Room 2
Join world-renowned dog photographer Kaylee Greer as she takes you behind the scenes on her journey from volunteer shelter photographer to shooting for some of the largest commercial pet brands in the world. In this class, Kaylee will pull back the curtain on what it’s like to take the leap from private clients to big brands, and dive into the details of what you’ll need to make it in the commercial photography world. Oh, and did we mention there will be dog photos??
Join world-renowned dog photographer Kaylee Greer as she takes you behind the scenes on her journey from volunteer shelter photographer to shooting for some of the largest commercial pet brands in the world. In this class, you’ll adventure with Kaylee through her entire process; from fielding commercial inquiries, to quoting jobs, all the way to working on-location at a full-scale commercial photo shoot. And of course, there will be plenty of amazing dog photos along the way!
LOCATION: Room 3
Composition can be a challenging puzzle for many food photographers, with its myriad elements and techniques. However, we believe that the key to unlocking this puzzle lies in the art of storytelling through food. In this session, we’ll show you how to speak the language of food stories and use them like a guide, helping you navigate through the intricacies of composition with newfound clarity. By learning to weave stories into your compositions, you’ll not only enhance visual appeal but also evoke emotions that linger in the viewer’s mind. We’ll dive deep into the various facets of composition, from colors and textures to backdrops, props, angles, negative space, and the strategic placement of hero and supporting elements. Join us on this journey to not only simplify the composition process but also to elevate your food photography by infusing compelling stories into your visuals.
LOCATION: Room 4
10:30 – 11 AM: BREAK
11 AM – 12:30 PM: WORKSHOPS
Are your ideal clients on Google? The average person uses Google search 3-4 times a day, and as a platform there are 99000 searches per SECOND each day. It’s the built in search for both iPhone and Apple, so its safe to say: everyone is on Google. The question should be: how do you effectively get in front of them first?
LOCATION: Room 1
No one wants to be a pushy salesperson, but everyone could use an extra $50k+ in their account. This class will show you techniques on how to generate more profit from your current clients, without coming off “salesy”. With just a few simple tweaks you can go from making $300 to $3000+ per client. And who can say “no” to that.
LOCATION: Meet at Room 2
No matter what type of work you shoot, every photographer’s career longevity and success is based in large measure on how they protect their work and run their business. In this focused session, Thomas Maddrey, Chief Legal Officer for ASMP and a former commercial photographer will walk you through the most important things you need to know to set yourself apart from your competition, and do it legally. Topics include copyright registration, contract basics, ways to protect your work, how to not wind up in disputes, and what to do when your business hits a speedbump. Thomas will also connect attendees with resources and guides to take with them for future use.
LOCATION: Room 3
As a self-employed entrepreneur, retirement might seem scary! Create a simplified roadmap so you can focus confidently towards planning and building security in your retirement. From how to get started, figuring out how much you’ll need, knowing the types of accounts to utilize and how to invest within those accounts to maximize your wealth building potential. Ease your mind knowing you can retire from lens to legacy!
LOCATION: Room 4
12:30 – 1:30 PM: PHOTO SHOOT OUT
1:30 – 2 PM: CLOSING (all attendees)
Monday., February 26, 2024
3:00 PM
Hotel Check In Begins
Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
Monday., February 26, 2024
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Intensive Workshops
OFFSITE: Commercial & Creative – Rob Grimm & Meera Seetharaman: Editorial Food & Beverage Photography Masterclass: The Shipwright’s Daughter Restaurant, Mystic, CT (10 min. drive from the Marriott).
ON SITE: Commercial – ASMP: Introduction to Commercial Photography Masterclass
Monday., February 26, 2024
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Intensive Workshops
ON SITE: Portrait – Tracy Sweeney: Newborn Essentials Masterclass
Monday., February 26, 2024
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Intensive Workshops
OFFSITE: Creative – David Zapatka: Nighttime Landscape Photography Masterclass: Watch Hill Lighthouse, Watch Hill, RI (30 min. drive from the Marriott).
REGISTRATION REQUIRED for Intensive Workshops.
Included with Summit tickets. Limited seats available. Registration link will be sent to Summit ticket holders.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
6:30 AM
Early Morning Yoga
All Attendees
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
All Attendees
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Opening: Summit Welcome
All Attendees
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Keynote Address with Lindsay Adler: From Good to Great: The Keys to Unlocking the Next Step in your Career
All Attendees
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Workshops
Weddings – Shaun Gordon: The Ultimate Album System
Portrait – Kesha Lambert: Portraits in Motion
Commercial – Adam Coppola: Personal Projects/Dream Clients
Creative – Esteban Gil: The Analog Renaissance
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch | Vendor Lounge | Portfolio Reviews
All Attendees
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Workshops
Weddings – Theo Nash: Through the Lens of Respect – Ethical & Affirming Wedding Photography
Portrait – Meg Loeks: Elevating the Ordinary – Enhance Storytelling Within Your Work
Commercial – Rob Grimm: Beverage Photography Essentials & the Use of AI
Creative – Angelica Pompy: Empowerment Through the Lens – A Boudoir Photography Workshop
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Break
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Panel: Framing the Future – The AI Revolution
All Attendees
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
5:30 PM
Speaker Supper Clubs
All Attendees
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Late Night
Late Night Networking Groups
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
6:30 AM
Early Morning Yoga
All Attendees
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
All Attendees
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Keynote with Joe McNally: The Language of Light
All Attendees
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Break
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Workshops
Weddings – Natalie Franke: Lens on Leads – Email Marketing for Photographers
Portrait – Samantha Schannon: The $3,500 Studio Headshot Market – Secrets for Success
Commercial – Hugo Ceneviva: Creative Retouching – Diving Deep in the World of Pixels and Colors
Creative – Tracy Sweeney: Family and Children’s Photography – Mastering Mini Sessions
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch | Vendor Lounge | Portfolio Reviews
All Attendees
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Workshops
Weddings – Estaban Gil: Creative Wedding Light Photography – An OCF Workshop
Portrait – Joe McNally: Photo Walk (Limited Spots)
Commercial – Steve Walter: Creative Fusion – Combining the Art of Design, Photo, and Video
Creative – Elizabeth Blank: A Deep Dive: Underwater Photography (Limited Spots)
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Break
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Small Group Mentoring | Portfolio Reviews
All Attendees
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
6:00 PM
Cocktail Hour
All Attendees
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
7:00 PM
Time Travelers Ball & Dinner
All Attendees
Thursday, February 29, 2024
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
All Attendees
Thursday, February 29, 2024
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Workshops
Weddings – Mandy Wright: The Art of the Second Photographer
Portrait – Angie McPherson: Branding Photoshoots
Commercial – Kaylee Greer: One Shoot to Change it All
Creative – Meera Seetharaman: How to Craft Stunning Compositions Using Food Stories
Thursday, February 29, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Break
Thursday, February 29, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Workshops
Weddings – Roy Serafin: SEO
Portrait – Michael Davis: In-person Sales
Commercial – Thomas Maddery: Legal Crash Course
Creative – Garret Ward: Self-Employed Photographer’s Retirement Guide
Thursday, February 29, 2024
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Photo Shoot Out
Thursday, February 29, 2024
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Closing