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• Concept to Creation With Stacy McDonald: From storytelling spark to finished frame.

  • When
    Monday, June 02, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    The Photician 803 1/2 Main St., Adel, IA 50003
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  
  

  Step into a day of creative exploration and image-making with fine art photographer Stacy McDonald. This hands-on workshop invites photographers of all levels to step beyond traditional portraiture and into the world of conceptual and self-expressive photography. You'll gain insight into Stacy’s creative process—how she builds stories through symbolism, emotion, and personal connection—and watch as she demonstrates both a client-directed conceptual shoot and one of her signature self-portraits.

  Whether you’re looking to develop a personal project, add storytelling to your client work, or simply reconnect with your artistic voice, this experience offers a space to experiment, connect, and grow. Through collaborative brainstorming, and guided practice, each group will get the chance to design and plan a concept before photographing it together in Stacy’s studio. You’ll leave with fresh inspiration, practical tools for building a conceptual piece, and images you’ve helped create alongside others.

  Bring your curiosity, camera, and any objects that spark your imagination—dresses, fabrics, florals, books, bones, buckets...nothing is too strange! Let’s see what happens when we bring our stories to life together.

  Spots are limited, sign up today! Find more sample images and bio information on Instagram or Facebook.

  
  

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• Workshop TBD

  • When
    Monday, September 08, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Eastern Iowa

  Details coming soon!

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• Fall Print Competition

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

  Details coming soon!

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

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• An Afternoon with Dan McClanahan

  • When
    Monday, November 03, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Central Iowa

  Join PPI for an afternoon course with Dan McClanahan. Registration will open in June. Mark your calendar now so you don't miss out. Stick around after Dan's class for networking and the presentation of awards from our fall print competition.  More details coming soon!

  Check out more information on a full day with Dan at his studio for a hands-on workshop HERE.

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• Hands-On Workshop with Dan McClanahan

  • When
    Tuesday, November 04, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    McClanahan Studio, 208 5th St Suite 302, Ames, IA 50010
  • Spaces left
    25

  More Details coming soon!

  This is truly an event you wont want to miss.  Dan McClanahan is welcoming a limited number of attendees to his studio in downtown Ames, Iowa for a full day of inspiration, hands-on education and community connection. Registration will open in June and is limited to 25 attendees.

  Don't miss the chance to dive deep into lighting and client interaction with Dan in the very location where he makes all his magic happen.

  Join more creatives the night before for awards and networking, more details coming soon.

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• Competition College 2026

  • When
    Monday, January 05, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Oxford, Iowa + Virtual
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

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• Annual Print Competition

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

  Details coming soon!

  Must be a PPI member to be eligible for awards.

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• Focus Forward - Annual Convention

  • Start
    Friday, April 10, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • End
    Monday, April 13, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Iowa

  Professional Photographers of Iowa (PPI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering professional and aspiring photographers 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.

  Whether you're a seasoned pro or building your photography business from the ground up, Focus Forward is where creative momentum meets community.

  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

  • 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

  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.
  Registration opens July 25, 2025. Don’t miss the one-day $100-off launch sale!

  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!

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