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PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF IOWA

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Upcoming events

    • Monday, October 27, 2025
    • 10:00 AM
    • Virtual

    Details coming soon!

    Enter panels to win Iowa's Child and/or Senior Photographer of the Year Award!

    • Monday, November 03, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
    • The District Venue 1350 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny, IA 50023
    Register

    Join PPI for a full day course featuring a few of Iowa's top educators in the photo industry: Jaimy Ellis, Adam Hunter and the legendary Dan McClanahan. 

    PPI President Jaimy Ellis will kick off the event at 9:30am with a demo on the latest in AI workflow and retouching programs: Evoto and Imagen. Get a behind the scenes look at her post production routine and how she's shaved hours off editing and free'd up time to add more services to her business.

    After lunch Dan McClanahan will be giving an updated version of his most recent Imaging USA platform, Shoot With Purpose. It will cover philosophy, creativity, Dan’s digital business model (created after 10 years of IPS), and a ton of image breakdowns with lighting diagrams and BTS. The through-line is defining your unique purpose and using that as a guidepost in all of your decision making and image creation. He hopes to leave you pumped up and motivated to keep pressing forward in your photographic journey! Q&A will be open to anything attendees want to ask Dan about, so bring your questions and share your struggles. The community building this night will be awesome.

    Stick around after Dan's class for networking and the presentation of awards from our fall print competition followed by a demo from Adam Hunter on how he uses a "light painting" technique for commercial and automotive photography. 

    This event is one you WILL NOT want to miss.  Sign up today and get refreshed and recharged by spending some time with like-minded photogs and creatives.

    • Tuesday, November 04, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • McClanahan Studio, 208 5th St Suite 302, Ames, IA 50010
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    In the morning, Dan will give you a tour of his historic loft studio before guiding you through a hands-on demo of how he constructs his favorite studio lighting formulas. You will get a few brief opportunities to shoot if you want, bring a camera! A mid-range zoom like a 28-70mm will be best lens choice. 


    As the day progresses, we’ll grow in complexity and get into gels / atmosphere / filters. During this day, Dan will be an open book so bring your questions and don’t be afraid to ask them!

    • Monday, January 05, 2026
    • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • Oxford, Iowa + Virtual
    Register


    • Monday, March 09, 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • Virtual

    Details coming soon!

    Must be a PPI member to be eligible for awards.

    • Friday, April 10, 2026
    • 4:00 PM
    • Monday, April 13, 2026
    • 5:00 PM
    • Iowa
    Register

    Professional Photographers of Iowa (PPI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering professional and aspiring photographers and creative entrepreneurs across Iowa and the Midwest. Through hands-on workshops, inspiring events, and a welcoming community, we help photographers grow their skills, build meaningful connections, and thrive in the industry.

    Focus Forward, PPI's Annual Convention | April 10–13, 2026 | Iowa

    Inspiration. Education. Connection.

    Focus Forward is for professional and aspiring photographers, creative entrepreneurs, and small business owners who crave more than just education—they want connection, inspiration, and growth. Whether you're refining your craft, building your business, or simply looking for your people, Focus Forward is your place to learn, recharge, and belong. From seasoned pros to fresh faces, if you believe in the power of photography and community, you’re one of us.

    Join us for a high-energy, hands-on convention designed to elevate your craft and recharge your passion. Over the course of four unforgettable days, you'll experience:

    • Dynamic speakers from both photography and small business industries covering topics like SEO, email marketing, content creation, and motivation.

    • Live demos and hands-on workshops covering everything from lighting and posing to marketing and mindset

    • Meaningful networking with photographers and creative entrepreneurs from across the Midwest

    • An awards brunch to celebrate industry excellence

    • And a themed party (Pajama Jam, anyone?) to cap it all off with connection and fun

    • Vendor Meet and Greet (trade show) to stay up to date on all the current products and tech.

    Why Attend?
    Because you’re not just a photographer—you’re a creative entrepreneur. And this is your space to grow. At Focus Forward, you’ll walk away with:

    ✅ Fresh ideas and skills to implement immediately
    ✅ New friends and mentors who get it
    ✅ A renewed sense of confidence and creative purpose

    Let’s move your business—and your artistry—forward, together.

    A digital print competition will be hosted prior to the convention on March 9th. You must be a PPI member to win awards. Be sure to join or renew your membership!

Past events

Monday, September 08, 2025 Family Photography Workshop with Kim LaFauce
Monday, June 02, 2025 Concept to Creation With Stacy McDonald: From storytelling spark to finished frame.
Saturday, February 15, 2025 Winter Convention 2025
Monday, January 06, 2025 Competition College 2025
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Lunch and Learn - Print Comp - Zoom - Members Only
Monday, April 22, 2024 Focus on Family
Saturday, March 23, 2024 Pre-Con Business Course
Saturday, March 23, 2024 Winter Convention 2024
Monday, February 05, 2024 Competition College 2024
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 Lunch and Learn - Zoom - Members Only
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Lunch and Learn - Zoom - Members Only
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 Lunch and Learn - Zoom - Michael Mowbray MoLight
Sunday, November 05, 2023 Fall Event 2023
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Lunch and Learn - Zoom
Tuesday, August 08, 2023 Cameras and Cocktails
Monday, July 31, 2023 Focus on Editing
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 Cameras and Cocktails - Sticky Marketing
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Cameras and Cocktails
Tuesday, June 06, 2023 FOCUS on Lighting with John Gress
Tuesday, May 09, 2023 Cameras and Cocktails - Client Education
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 FOCUS on Weddings
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Cameras and Cocktails
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Cameras and Cocktails
Friday, February 03, 2023 Winter Convention 2023
Monday, January 09, 2023 Competition College
Monday, September 12, 2022 Virtual Q&A on Business
Monday, July 18, 2022 Capture and Create: Wildlife Safari and Photoshop Combo
Sunday, June 12, 2022 Nathan Loker - Sport Seniors Day Course
Monday, May 02, 2022 Ann O'Neill Deal- Pet Photography
Friday, March 18, 2022 Winter Convention 2022
Sunday, January 09, 2022 Competition College
Monday, November 29, 2021 November Board Workshop
Monday, November 15, 2021 Dana Rose: Creating A World of Your Own Virtual Class for PPI Non Members
Sunday, November 14, 2021 PPI Fall Event
Monday, August 30, 2021 Behind the Scenes: The Magic of Santa
Monday, June 28, 2021 Wanna Treat?
Sunday, April 11, 2021 Focus on Seniors
Sunday, February 21, 2021 PPI Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 21, 2021 RSVP to Attend WC21 in Person on Feb 21
Thursday, February 18, 2021 Iowa CPP Meeting
Thursday, February 18, 2021 WC21 Pre-Con with Judy Reinford
Monday, February 15, 2021 Winter Convention Print Entry Deadline
Sunday, November 08, 2020 PPI Fall Event
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 Focus on Newborns
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