Carolina Photo Expo 2024

July 19-22, 2024

Image by Gary Box

Welcome to Carolina Photo Expo, PPNC’s annual state convention featuring over 10 amazing speakers over three days of classroom and hands-on education.  Each year, our organization scours the country to find photographers who are on the forefront of the photography industry.  PPNC prides itself on being a teaching organization and our state convention helps our photographers push their craft to the next level.

With a full line of platform classes, lunch and learns, hands 0n events, and roundtable style discussions, you’re sure to take home a wealth of knowledge.  Attending Carolina Photo Expo is a must for any photographer looking to advance their craft or grow their business.

Registration is open to both members and non-members and fees are tiered, increasing as the event approaches. Register early in order to get the best rate!

Trade Show Vendors

Thank you to our sponsors!

Meet our speakers

Platform Classes July 20-22

Gary Box, Carolina Photo Expo, Photography workshops in NC, Professional Photographers of NC

Gary Box

Seniors, converting photos into dollars

Diana Robles, Photography workshops in NC, Professional Photographers of NC, Carolina Photo Expo

Diana Robles

Maternity 101: lighting, posing,         and styling simplified          

John Gress, Photography workshops NC, Professional Photographers of NC, Carolina Photo Expo

John Gress

Learn how to make dramatic portraits using multiple lights!

Gregory and Lesa Daniel, Photography workshop in NC, Professional Photographers of NC, Carolina Photo Expo

Gregory & Lesa Daniel

       Selling the Wall Portrait     

Leon Johnson, Photography workshops in NC, Professional Photographers of NC, Carolina Photo Expo

Leon Johnson

  How to Get Started Fine Art Portraits      

Justin Grafton, Photography workshops in NC, Carolina Photo Expo, Professional Photographers of NC

Justin Grafton

      Volume Photography               

Jessica Robertson, Photography Workshops in NC, Carolina Photo Expo, Professional Photographers of NC

Jessica Robertson

Seven Secrets for stepping up your Profit

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Tomayia Colvin

Marketing Doesn’t Have to be Complicated

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Marcelle Raphael

Mastering Maternity with Limited Resources

John Branch copy

John Branch

Steps to less stress (confidence) for every wedding day

Academy Classes - All day Pre-con class July 28th $150

Sally headshot

Sally Lumpkin

Portrait editing using solely             Lightroom             

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Karen Doody

Get Creative with Macro Photography

crystal Headshots

Crystal Wadell

Build Your Authority With Content and SEO

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Brian Mullins

Commercial architectural photography

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Angela Daly

Beginner Portrait Painting in Photoshop

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Aurora & Jeannie

Life is hard, lighting doesn’t have to be

Carolina Photo Expo
July 19-22, 2024

Sheraton Chapel Hill
One Europa Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 968-490

Group Rate $129, room block opening soon!

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 28th
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Academy Classes
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Academy Class Lunch Provided by PPNC
1:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Resume Academy Classes
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Dinner on your own
7:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Meet and greet in the Lobby Bar and light
Hors d’oeuvres served in the hallway by the conference rooms for CPE attendees

Saturday, July 29th
8:00 – 9:30 am: Brian Mullins – Headshots.
9:45 am – 11:15 am: Tosha Gaines – Photographing Atypical Subjects
11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Marcelle RaphaelMaternity.
1:00 pm – 2:45 pm – Lunch & Learn celebrating our new members. Lunch provided by PPNC.
Lunch and Learn with Sally Lumpkin – PPNC’s Merits and Degrees explained begins at 1:45pm 

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Trade Show 
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Dinner of your own 
8:00 to 11 pm: Models with instructors for shooting bays, round tables, chit chat at the bar
9:00 – Until – Cornhole tournament
 

Sunday, July 30th
8:00 – 9:30Tomayia Colvin – Marketing Doesn’t Have to be Complicated 
9:45 – 10:45 am: Business meeting (Mandatory for members) 
11:00 am – 12:30: Leslie Spurlock – Photojournalism and Documentary Photography 
12:30-2:00 Lunch & Learn provided by PPNC, Jerry DeLuca Copyright law & touch on AI
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Trade Show 
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Rhea Whitney Reid – Part-time to full time
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Motivation from Aurora DeLuca
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Dinner on your own 
8:30 pm – 11:30 pm: Models with instructors for shooting bays, and round tables, chit chat at the bar and cornhole tournament 

Monday July 31st
8:00 am – 8:45 am: Teresa PorterKeynote – The Sunset Rule 
9:00 am – 10:30 am: Betsy Byrd – Equestrian photography.
10:45 am – 12:15 pm: Jeff Wenzel – Creative Portraits with Gels 
12:30 – 2:00 pm: Lunch provided by PPNC: Former presidents luncheon 
2:15 pm – 3:45 pm: John BranchWeddings 
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Kira Derryberry – Getting hired for YOU 
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Awards Dinner 

Frequently asked qestions

At Carolina Photo Expo, you don’t have to choose!  Your registration includes access to all platform, lunch and learn and round table events.  Academy classes are sold separately

Our host hotel is conveniently located less than 5 minutes from Raleigh Durham International Airport.

Once you have registered for the event, you may cancel at any point prior to 60 days and receive a full refund.  Cancellations within 60 days may be transferred to a new attendee  however no refunds will be issued.

Each year Carolina Photo Expo holds our annual awards ceremony.  Members receive awards from both image competition and service activity within the organization.  Click here to learn more about our awards.

Significant others are welcome to attend all evening events with the purchase of a meal ticket however they will not be able to attend any classes.

Some classes require nothing more than note taking materials while hands on classes may require lights, cameras and more.  Be sure to check the course description for what to bring.

If you’re just starting out then this is the place for you!  You’ll learn more in these three days that you would in months or years with trial and error.

Yes, if you’re a PPA member, you’ll receive 1 service merit.