Inspiration Summit Sponsor

Photographing birds in a studio is exciting and the imagery captured is stunning! This seminar will help you fast track the development of your own bird photography skills in a safe and creative way. Specific topics include:

• An overview of my personal journey from photographing sitting birds to hosting gallery exhibitions of photographs of birds in flight
• How to prepare your studio to safely photograph birds
• Client/bird preparation and seasonal considerations
• The process

This will include a discussion of equipment recommendations, camera and flash settings, lighting diagrams and review of videos of actual sessions.

About Barbara Brady-Smith:  Barbara established her Pet Photography business in 2011. Since then she has earned her PPA Master Photography and Craftsman Degrees. She regularly mentors photographers and teaches at local PPA affiliates. She has been owned by many Golden Retrievers and currently volunteers with her therapy golden Joey at local schools and medical facilities. In her book, ‘Hug Tails, Portraits of Therapy Pets,’ she documented the wonderful therapy activities of over 120 dogs, cats and even a miniature horse. She has held gallery exhibitions of her bird and horse photography.

Join Joe Campanellie for an informative discussion about nature photography right in your backyard. Joe will cover:

• How to attract the birds to your feeders
• Technical aspects of avian photography
• Creating pleasing props and backgrounds for your subjects
• Details for one of the most difficult skill sets...flight photography

Whether in your backyard or in your neighboring parks these are techniques that can be used at every skill level to improve your photography. And, even if you are not an avian or nature photographer, there will be lots of information about techniques that you can apply to your own area of expertise.

About Joe Campanellie:  Joe Campanellie is a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, Certified Professional Photographer, and an Approved Affiliate Juror with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He also has the distinction of being 1 of a very few individuals worldwide to hold the prestigious Fellowship Degree from the American Society of Photographers. Before relocating to Florida, Joe and his wife ran a high end portrait studio in Maryland for over 30 years. Moving to Florida gave Joe the opportunity to pursue his love of avian and nature photography on a full time basis. Joe maintains an active speaking and judging schedule on the national and international levels addressing professional photography organizations. His work has been accepted into a number of juried photography shows where he has been awarded some of the top honors. To date Joe has been a PPA Medalist 13 times including 6 Diamond Photographer of the Year Awards as well as 54 Imaging Excellence Awards. He has been selected for Team USA in the World Cup Photographic Competition, has received 11 ASP State Elite Awards and recently had 2 finalist images in PPA’s International Photographic Competition.

Your business success is 100% reliant on YOU the business owner,  as well as how you show up and the actions you take. We get into business because we are great at our trade or craft, but not always with business skills. In fact, that is a totally different skill set. So, the question is: how do you ever expect to have sustained business success if you can’t master your mindset and habits as the business owner? How do you show up with the energy required to manifest powerful results in your business without the stress and time away from your family? What if you could master this, have unshakable self-belief and become a productivity machine to create the cashflow you deserve? That’s exactly what we are going to cover in this powerful workshop where you will leave with not only inspiration but actionable tools and techniques to plug straight into your business and life.

About Johl Dunn:  Johl has successfully operated both wedding and portrait photography studios for over 20 years and has now turned his hand to helping other photographers grow their passion into a fulfilling and thriving business. Now a full-time mindset and business coach, Johl helps ambitious photographers build highly profitable businesses by creating a sales and marketing engine as well as completely rewiring their subconscious programming and limiting beliefs. It is a process that is designed in a particular order to slowly move his clients through changing habits, routines and thought patterns so new opportunities & ideas surface and their businesses start to thrive. It’s a holistic approach that reduces stress, achieves balance, enhances fulfillment, and brings about wild business success.

In this program, StoryBrand Certified Guide Mary Fisk-Taylor invites you to go beyond the book to gain an in-depth understanding of the StoryBrand Framework and its transformational power for your business. Mary, who studied in person with Donald Miller and his team, will take you on an immersive journey through the 7-part StoryBrand Framework, revealing how each element can revolutionize the way you connect with clients and create compelling marketing that truly resonates. 

What You Will Learn:

• Define Your Brand’s Clear Message: Discover how to pinpoint your customers’ primary needs and develop a messaging strategy that positions your brand as the solution. 
• Clarify Your Customers’ Journey: Uncover the steps to clarify the role of your brand in helping clients overcome their challenges, ultimately becoming the hero of their own story. 
• Craft a Call to Action That Drives Results: Learn the critical elements of a powerful call to action that motivates your clients to take meaningful steps toward your services. 
• Streamline Your Marketing: By focusing on only what matters to your audience, you’ll cut through the noise, save time, and focus your marketing dollars on messaging that works. 
• Position Your Brand to Stand Out: Learn the psychology behind positioning statements and how to differentiate your business from competitors in a way that builds trust and authority. 
• Practical Applications Beyond the Book: Mary will share real-life examples and strategies she’s used in her own business, revealing how StoryBrand became the backbone of her marketing approach and the essential resource she turns to for every major campaign. 

Whether you’ve read the book or are entirely new to StoryBrand, this session will guide you through practical applications of each part of the framework, bringing clarity to how you can apply it effectively to your own business. You’ll leave with actionable insights and a clear vision for transforming your brand’s story. Additional resources, including the interactive tool on www.mystorybrand.com, will also be available for you to further implement what you learn.

About Mary Fisk-Taylor: Mary Fisk-Taylor is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in portrait and wedding photography. As the co-owner of Hayes & Fisk Photography in Richmond, Virginia, Mary, alongside her partner Jamie Hayes, has built a highly acclaimed studio renowned for exceptional portrait and wedding services. Their work focuses on preserving cherished family legacies through beautifully captured and printed memories, ensuring these moments are proudly displayed in clients' homes. Mary is passionate about empowering fellow creatives in the small business realm. She is dedicated to teaching and sharing insights on maintaining a profitable and sustainable studio. Her mentorship aims to inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs, fostering a community of thriving small businesses in the creative industry. 

Mary is proud of her two beautiful children, Alexandra and Jackson. She and her husband, Daryl, enjoy the flexibility and joy that owning a successful photography studio provides their family. Mary served on the PPA Board of Directors for many years and was President in 2022. She is a member of the Society of XXV, a past President of the PPA Board of Charities, and holds offices and board positions with Virginia PPA. She is also active with Operation Smile International, serving as a staff photographer for various events and missions. At 35, Mary was named one of Virginia’s Top 40 under 40 for her leadership, volunteer work, and business acumen. 

Accomplishments: 

• Past PPA President
• Past PPA Charities President
• Virginia PPA Photographer of the Year (5 times)
• National Award Recipient (3 times)
• PPA Business Education Award
• Top 40 under 40 for the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Society of XXV Member
• Master Photographer, Craftsman Photographer, Certified Professional Photographer
• Education Fellowship from ASP
• Diamond Photographer of the Year 2024

Certifications:

• Google Analytics Certification
• Google Ads Certification
• HubSpot Email Marketing Certification
• Certified StoryBrand Guide

In this program, Adam Goldberg of AGoldPhoto Pet Photography will share how his passion for taking photos of adoptable animals lead him to a career as professional pet photographer with his own studio and a successful business that supports him, his wife and their 2 year old son.

About Adam Goldberg: Adam Goldberg is a professional pet photographer with a studio in Tampa, Florida. He began taking photos of shelter animals in 2014 and fell in love. Adam quit his job in 2017 and became a pet photographer full-time. He and his wife traveled the US hosting Pet Photo Shoot Fundraisers until 2020, when the world changed forever. In August of 2020, Adam opened a physical studio and continues to photograph shelter animals every week.

Pete will share his approach and commitment to his favorite genre of photography: Black and White. He’ll share his mindset, vision, metering techniques, and how he finishes all of his black and white photographs. Bring your questions!  Pete will allow time at the end of his presentation to answer anything left unaswered.

About Pete Rezac:  Pete has been a photographer practicing black and white photography for 30 years. He just loves to help other photographers in any way he can. He's made countless mistakes and crossed many hurdles in those 30 years so hopefully that experience can help you avoid them.

Join Belinda as she reveals key insights behind her internationally recognized, award-winning pet photography. This 30-minute talk is packed with actionable tips and creative strategies designed to elevate your work and help you create images that captivate judges and stand out in competitions. Perfect for photographers looking to push the boundaries of their artistry and take their skills to an award-winning level.

About Belinda Richards: Belinda Richards, BFA, M.Photog, FSWPP, Icon Double Master, recognized as the Australian Pet and Animal Photographer of the Year three years in a row, has shattered the notion that pet photography is merely about snapping pictures of adorable dogs. As the visionary founder and Creative Director of Frog Dog Studios, Belinda has earned a reputation for capturing animals' unique expressions, poses, and personalities. Her remarkable talent is evident in her digital composite works, which not only showcase her mastery of Photoshop but also convey subtle social commentary by giving animals human-like qualities. Belinda's love for her art drives her to personally oversee every aspect of the creative process, from capturing the perfect shot to ensuring flawlessly executed prints. Combining her innate understanding of animals with her technical prowess, she effortlessly captures her subjects in a way that is truly unique, resulting in fine art portraits that communicate, connect, and emote.

Are you struggling to understand your Google Business Profile and how it can work in your favor? If you just can't wrap your head around it, this webinar is for you. Join photographer and photography marketing coach Leah Severson as she demystifies the power of your Google Business Profile and how you can use it to get free leads from Google.

About Leah Severson: Leah Severson has operated a successful portrait studio in the Indianapolis area for more than 2 decades. For the last ten years, she's also been teaching photographers across the country how to market their studio using free methods, such as client referrals, display marketing, social media, and most importantly, Google.

Get ready for an up-close look at five of Alicja's most unforgettable animal portraits and the wild stories behind them! In this live presentation, she’ll take you behind the scenes, sharing not only the surprising moments that led to each shot but also practical details like the exact settings, camera, and lenses used. You’ll learn about the technical side of each image with EXIF data and get insights on how the right gear can bring unexpected places to life in ways you wouldn’t believe. Whether you’re a photographer or just curious, this talk will inspire you to look at the world—and your own shots—a little differently. Come ready to be surprised by how a camera can transform even the most unlikely scenes into something extraordinary!

About Alicja Zmyslowska: I am a dedicated dog photographer based in Upper Silesia, Poland, with 18 years of experience capturing the beauty and individuality of canine subjects. My work combines my two greatest passions—dogs and creating art—enabling me to pursue a lifestyle that is both fulfilling and deeply expressive. As the first Canon Europe Ambassador specializing in dog photography, I am honored to share my vision on an international stage. My work has been published in various art, photography, and dog-centered magazines, reaching a diverse audience and contributing to the recognition of dog photography as a fine art form. Throughout my career, I have photographed dogs in 20 countries across 3 continents and led workshops worldwide for over a decade, guiding others in exploring the unique art of dog photography. For me, it is essential to seek new creative challenges continually, keeping my creativity alive and pushing myself to remain authentic. My art is about self-expression and emotion, striving always to create something unique that resonates with both myself and others. My work has been recognized in prestigious international photography competitions, including a 3rd prize in the Animal/Pets category at the International Photo Awards, alongside accolades from I Shot It by Leica, National Geographic Big Contest Poland, International Pet Photographer of the Year, Siena Awards, Neutral Density Awards, and Monochrome Awards. In every piece, I aim to convey the essence of my subjects in a way that transcends traditional pet photography, creating images that are timeless, evocative, and uniquely my own.