Image By: Lindsay Walden
2026 KPPA
Winter Shutter Expo
February 13th - 15th, 2026
Holiday Inn At The Campus
1641 Anderson Avenue
Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Early Registration (Black Friday Nov. 28th - Dec. 12th): $175
Holiday Special: End of the Year Sale (Dec. 13th - Jan. 1st): $200
Registration: $225
Single Day Registration: $135
Banquet Ticket Only: $50
Schedule
Friday, February 13, 2026
11am - 1pm Registration
12 Noon - 1pm First Timer Welcome
1pm – 5pm KPPA Annual State Image Competition
Find competition rules and information by following the link. NOTE: New RULES and CATEGORIES…PLEASE read to enter correctly.
https://kppa.org/competition_main
5pm - 7pm Dinner on your own
7pm - 9pm Lisa Wilson - Unlock the Power of Your Google Business Profile
Saturday, February 14, 2026
7am - 8am Registration
8am – 12 Noon Lindsay Walden - Newborn and Luxury Photography
12 Noon – 1pm Lunch and Annual Meeting
1pm – 5pm Denise Watrous - Andiamo! Welcome to the World of Destination Portraits
6pm - 7pm Cocktail Hour
7pm - 9pm KPPA Banquet and Awards - Nashville Stars Theme
Sunday, February 15, 2026
7am - 9am Board Meeting - Swearing in New Board
9am - 1pm Zara Ashby - Empowering Branding Photography: Turning Headshots into Brand Stories
All Schedules Subject to Change
Image By: Lindsay Walden
Image By: Denise Watrous
Hotel Accommodations
Holiday Inn At The Campus
1641 Anderson Avenue,
Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Guests may call the hotel directly at 785-539-7531 Group Code "KPP"
Guests may also book online with the link below, the discounted rate has already been applied.
Friday Featured Speaker
Lisa Wilson
"Unlock the Power of Your Google Business Profile"
You don’t need to be an SEO expert to unlock the powerof your Google Business Profile. In this session, you’ll learn how to use this often-overlooked and FREE tool tomake your photography business stand out in local searches and hopefully one day appear on the coveted Google Map Pack. You’ll discover the SEO factors that matter most for photographers, from reviews and keywords to photos and posts. You will find out how to prioritize your efforts for maximum impact. You will walk away with an actionable roadmap to help your studio rank higher and turn local searches into paying clients. This is a process Lisa has recently started to implement from the ground up, and she looks forward to sharing quantifiable results that prove these strategies work.
Saturday Featured Speaker
Lindsay Walden
"Newborn and Luxury Photography"
https://lindsaywaldenphotography.com/
Learn how to elevate your newborn photography into a high-touch, high-profit brand. Internationally published photographer Lindsay Walden will demonstrate her refined newborn posing and lighting flow, then share the business strategies behind her six-figure Dallas studio. From pricing with confidence to attracting affluent clients andcreating an unforgettable client journey, you’ll walk away with the tools and mindset shifts needed to thrive in the luxury market.
Lindsay Walden is an award winning and internationally featured fine art photographer based in Colleyville, Texas, near Dallas/Fort Worth. As a photographer her goal is to create art for her clients that is innovative and fresh all while giving them a seamless and truly luxurious experience. Every detail in the client experience matters. She focuses on styling stunning photography sessions uniquely designed for each client and providing them with a one of a kind experience. From her fabulous hair and makeup artist to hundreds of couture gowns and fun props, she has everything her clients need for a beautiful session.
Lindsay has mentored hundreds of photographers from around the world. Her favorite subject to teach is the business side of the photography world. “What’s the point of working so hard to create beautiful art if you can’t make a good living doing so?” Lindsay averages $8000 in sales per client and owns a multiple six figure studio. She teaches a detailed approach to pricing, branding and marketing to the luxury client. She loves nothing more than seeing her students succeed in their businesses.
Saturday Featured Speaker
Denise Watrous
"Andiamo! Welcome to the World of Destination Portraits"
Sponsored By McKenna
https://watrousphotography.com/
Turn your love of travel into unforgettable photography experiences! In this program, Denise shares how she built a thriving business photographing clients in dream locations around the world. Learn step-by-step how to start booking destination sessions, what to know before you go, and how to prepare for the unexpected.
From permits and legalities to flights, gear, hidden expenses, and client communication, Denise covers everything you need to successfully plan and execute a destination portrait session. You'll discover how to create extraordinary portraits in places you've never seen before--while delivering an experience your clients will NEVER forget!
Denise Watrous has been a professional photographer since 1988 and has never worked outside of the industry. Based in Waukesha, WI, she is known for her bold, luxury portraits, ranging from high school seniors and destination sessions, to glamorous and award winning pageant headshots, for clients across the country.
As a Certified Professional Photographer and Craftsman Photographer, Denise has built her career on both artistry and business strategy. She is passionate about teaching fellow photographers how to elevate their craft, master client experience, and grow profitable studios. When she's not in her rhinestone-filled studio or on the road creating destination portraits, Denise is sharing her knowledge from the stage, helping other photographers blend creativity with smart business practives to create work that truly stands out.
Sunday Featured Speaker
Zara Ashby
"Empowering Branding Photography: Turning Headshots into Brand Stories"
Today’s clients want more than a polished portrait—they want images that communicate identity, purpose, and personality. This workshop teaches photographers how to transform standard headshots into compelling brand story sessions that help clients stand out online and in their businesses.
Attendees will learn the full strategy behind branding photography: brand-focused client discovery, crafting story-driven shot lists, selecting wardrobe and props with intention, posing for authenticity, and designing sessions that deliver usable content for websites and social media. Through real case studies, guided planning exercises, and take-home worksheets, photographers will learn how to build sessions that produce images with meaning—not just aesthetics.
This workshop is designed for portrait and headshot photographers who want to elevate their work, increase value to clients, and expand into high-demand personal branding photography. Participants will leave with a comprehensive framework for designing, shooting, and confidently selling brand story sessions, including pricing strategies and deliverable structures that enhance profitability.
Give your clients more than a headshot. Give them visual storytelling that gets them noticed.
Zara Ashby is an accomplished branding and boudoir photographer with 16 years of experience, specializing in empowering women entrepreneurs through authentic brand photography. She mentors others in building brands that reflect values and inspire confidence.
Register today for Winter Shutter Expo!
Early Registration (Black Friday Nov. 28th - Dec. 12th): $175
Holiday Special: End of the Year Sale (Dec. 13th - Jan. 1st): $200
Registration: $225
Single Day Registration: $135
Banquet Ticket Only: $50
