Carolina Photo Expo 2023

July 28-, 31 2023

Image by Tosha Gaines

Welcome to Carolina Photo Expo, PPNC’s annual state convention featuring over 15 amazing speakers of 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!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Meet our speakers

Platform Classes July 29-31

25E5DAB8-0BDE-4972-89B4-59E6E50BAB12

Tosha Gaines

Photographing Atypical Subjects

Rhea | Branding Session

Rhea Whitney

        Part time to full time                      

Leslie headshot

Leslie Spurlock

Covering History and Dying Cultures

Derryberry2022

Kira Derryberry

       Getting Hired for YOU              

Jeff Wenzel headshot by Marika _MHP5773-2

Jeff Wenzel

   Creative Portraits with Gels        

brian-mullins.photographer.0002.bw

Brian Mullins

      Headshots made simple               

Betsy-Bird-RidetheSkyEquine

Betsy Bird

Photographing Horses for Non-Equine Photographers

273024353_10165833338555287_1489781703044142395_n (1)

Tomayia Colvin

Marketing Doesn’t Have to be Complicated

87987732_1045140419212480_3150876716600131584_n

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             

KarenDoody-Headshot1

Karen Doody

Get Creative with Macro Photography

crystal Headshots

Crystal Wadell

Build Your Authority With Content and SEO

brian-mullins.photographer.0002.bw

Brian Mullins

Commercial architectural photography

unnamed

Angela Daly

Beginner Portrait Painting in Photoshop

Untitled-1

Aurora & Jeannie

Life is hard, lighting doesn’t have to be

Carolina Photo Expo
July 28-31, 2023

Marriott Research Triangle Park
4700 Guardian Dr, Durham, NC 27703
(919) 941-6200

Group Rate $109, book your room by July 6th 2023  to get your room rate!

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
7:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Meet and greet in the Lobby Bar

Saturday, July 29th
8:00 – 9:30 am: Brian Mullins – Head shots.
9:45 am – 11:15 am: Betsy Byrd – Equestrian photography.
11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Marcelle RaphaelMaternity.
12:45 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, 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) 
11:15 am – 12:30: Leslie Spurlock – Photojournalism and Documentary Photography 
12:30-2:00 Lunch provided by PPNC (Introduce our tradeshow vendors)
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Trade Show 
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Rhea Whitley – Part time to full time
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: Aurora DeLuca – Keynote
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: Tosha Gaines – Photographing Atypical Subjects
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.