To be more inspired – to be more knowledgeable – to be more connected – and to become more of the photographer you’ve always wanted to be, you must attend Imaging USA, the annual photo show and convention hosted by Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Sunday, February 1 – Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee.
Imaging USA is the longest running and largest all-encompassing national photographic convention, tradeshow and image exhibition in the United States – and this year’s event offers even more reasons why you should attend.
1. Start with a BIG money-saving deal!
The trade show has more than 600 booths and is THE place to get incredible deals on anything photography-related from gadgets to heavy duty equipment and anything in between.
There are more than 100 classes, an enormous photography exhibit and every day is topped by incredible networking events. That’s why each year more than 10,000 people drop by.
You’ll get your 3-day all-access pass for free if you join PPA, saving you $323 from the get-go, plus a 12-month membership with a long list of perks and benefits that will help you take your photography and business to the next level in 2015. Click here to join today!
2. Come early for the pre-convention classes & put yourself in the know
The 3 days prior to Imaging USA may be even more impactful important for your business. Thursday, January 29; Friday, January 30; and Saturday, January 31 is when you can immerse yourself in intensive, in-depth and hands-on education. You’ll have a choice of more than 60 classes on business, portraits, technique, weddings and many other topics, taught by a Who’s Who list of highly regarded and successful pros and celebrated photography instructors.
Click here for all the details!
3. Embrace the big show!
When you enter the Imaging USA Expo, you’ll see spread before you virtually everything happening in the world of photography for 2015 and beyond.
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- More than 600 tradeshow booths
- Educational presentations and demos on the expo floor
- Trade-show-only deals on products and services for pro photographers
- 2 photography exhibits
- A unique presentation by Peter Lik (he's the most acclaimed landscape photographer in the world right now!)
- More than 600 tradeshow booths
Click here for a FREE Expo Pass and save $35
4. An inspirational experience
Often, the best learning and motivational experience is to view and study the work of the best photographers; and Imaging USA will be filled with many special exhibits, so you can come face-to-face with the best images of today.
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- International Photographic Exhibit: An extraordinary presentation of thousands of award winning images from pros across the globe from PPA’s 2014 Loan and General Collections. (Grab your FREE Expo Pass here to get in)
- Peter Lik Exhibit: Enter the world of the most acclaimed landscape photographer of our time and learn from his visions and techniques in the many large-format prints on display.
- Grand Imaging Awards: Be there for one of Imaging USA’s most special moments – when the 2014 Medalists, Diamond Photographers of the Year and all the Loan Collection artists from the most-recent International Photographic Competition (IPC) will be honored.
- IPC Merit Café: If you’ve ever shied away from entering your work in photographic competitions, you’ll want to stop by this IPC Merit Café! There you’ll find a series of short seminars that will help you brush up on photographic competition and even on how to become a photography judge!
- International Photographic Exhibit: An extraordinary presentation of thousands of award winning images from pros across the globe from PPA’s 2014 Loan and General Collections. (Grab your FREE Expo Pass here to get in)
5. Your education never stops!
The pre-convention classes are just the start – during the 3 days of Imaging USA, there is a complete schedule of more than 100 additional classes, covering every conceivable topic (you have 10 tracks you can pick and choose from!) that will help transform your vision, your skills and your success.
6. Connect, Share and Grow
Maximize your professional growth and success by using Imaging USA as the most important networking opportunity of the year. You’ll be able to interact with industry key players, big name photographers and representatives of the top manufacturers and service companies and discuss your challenges and goals with a number of highly experienced mentors. Start conversations with the other 10,000 professionals attending Imaging USA – make new friends and associations that could accelerate your career and success. It can be life-changing and business-saving!
7. The power of the spoken word
What the more than 100 speakers at Imaging USA have to say will capture your attention just as much as their work. Listening to their words about their careers, their techniques and their failures and successes will help to expand your vision, chart your career path and understand that there is a world of opportunity awaiting you.
It’s unlikely you’ll be able to attend all their presentations, but these guest speakers should be at the top of your list.
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- Peter Lik – Imaging USA isn’t just exhibiting some of his best work, but the man himself is appearing Monday, February 2, from 8–9pm with An Evening with Peter Lik. Few photographers have accepted the challenge of landscape photography with more energy and bravura – and succeeded so much. Still don’t know who he is? Does a $10.5 million sale this past fall for a set of three images ring a bell? Well that’s Peter Lik!
- During his keynote, Peter will explain how he does it, from where he draws his inspirations and why you can do it too. One more tidbits: this is the first time that this high caliber PPA photographer accepts to address a group of photographers, ever! So you want to be there!
- Russ Harrington: Music & Celebrity Portraits – The undisputed master of celebrity images (musicians, actors, models, etc.) will share some of the more than 600 album covers he has shot. He will also reveal insights and insiders’ secrets about how to interact with celebrities and their teams in front of and off the camera to obtain the best photos in the shortest time.
- Tim Flach: How We Navigate Images and the Significance of Left Gaze Bias – Tim Flach is known throughout the world for his animal images and his presentation at Imaging USA focuses specifically on the relationships between people and animals. Using some of his images as examples, he’ll help you understand the animal mind and behavior, which are critical to capturing photos that convey a message from their world.
- Peter Hurley: From Zero to #SHABANG! – One of the world’s great portrait photographers will share The Hurley System that takes portraiture beyond mere pictures of a person. Peter is famous for creating a special environment in which he is able to capture the personality, emotions and the inner being of his subjects, culminating in the moment that Peter calls #SHABANG.
- Julieanne Kost: From Camera to Client – Winning Workflow for Success – The combination of a woman’s eye and the highest level of Adobe Digital Imaging mastery makes Julieanne Kost THE expert on Lightroom 5 Photoshop CC that you must experience. Julieanne will take you deep into the features and functions of these critical professional tools, starting you on your path to mastering workflow, file management, image enhancement and many other tips and techniques that will give you a competitive advantage.
- Peter Lik – Imaging USA isn’t just exhibiting some of his best work, but the man himself is appearing Monday, February 2, from 8–9pm with An Evening with Peter Lik. Few photographers have accepted the challenge of landscape photography with more energy and bravura – and succeeded so much. Still don’t know who he is? Does a $10.5 million sale this past fall for a set of three images ring a bell? Well that’s Peter Lik!
8. All work but also plenty of fun!
Imaging USA promises to be an intensely educational and mind-opening experience, which is why there are many parties and celebrations scheduled to help you relax and enjoy the event. Three not-to-be-missed are:
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- PPA Charities Boots & Bling Celebration & Auction, Saturday, January 31, 8–10 pm. Kick off Imaging USA in good spirits. This is open to any Imaging USA attendee, so come enjoy the fun and browse the PPA Charities auctions… all for good causes!
- Big Game Super Party Imaging USA Kick-Off sponsored by Canon, Sunday, February 1, 5:30–10 pm (all-access badge or separate party ticket purchase necessary).
- To all of the football fanatics out there (and to those who crave the commercials)—fret not, the game will be shown and on top of drinks and food, a DJ and a full party room, there will lots of games including pool, air hockey, skeeball and a radar speed pitch cage!
- Imaging USA Closing Party, Tuesday, February 3, 8–11 pm (all-access badge or separate party ticket purchase necessary).
- PPA Charities Boots & Bling Celebration & Auction, Saturday, January 31, 8–10 pm. Kick off Imaging USA in good spirits. This is open to any Imaging USA attendee, so come enjoy the fun and browse the PPA Charities auctions… all for good causes!
An event as big as Imaging USA can’t be entirely presented here, as there are more meetings, gatherings and opportunities to grow as a professional; but you can learn about all Imaging USA has to offer when you click here.
Remember, your all-access pass to Imaging USA 2015 is free when you join PPA, saving you $323. Click here to join today!