The PPBN Connect Conference 2026 brings together some of the best minds and biggest hearts in the photography industry!
Our speakers aren’t influencers or theorists — they’re real photographers who walk the walk and talk the talk. Every one of them is an expert in their genre, from family and newborns to branding, weddings, and pets. They’ve built thriving photography businesses, faced the same challenges you have, and know what it takes to succeed in today’s market.
You won’t find fluff, hype, or vague inspiration here. Each session is packed with practical, actionable strategies you can implement the moment you get home. You’ll leave inspired, motivated, and armed with clear next steps to elevate your business and your craft.
These are people from within our own PPBN community – photographers who genuinely love what they do, believe in sharing their knowledge, and are passionate about giving back to help others grow.
So get ready to learn, laugh, and level up.
Because this lineup? It’s the real deal.
Session Speakers
Our conference sessions are where business meets inspiration. Up to 60-minute talk dives deep into the strategies, systems, and mindsets behind running a thriving photography business. These sessions are designed to spark ideas, challenge your thinking, and leave you with clear next steps to grow your business with confidence.
Workshop Speakers
Our genre-specific workshops are where learning meets real experience. Each 3-hour session gives you hands-on opportunities to shoot, pose, light, and interact with clients under the guidance of industry experts. But it’s not just about taking photos – depending on the speaker and topic, you’ll dive into client experience, retouching, and even the sales process. Every workshop is unique, so make sure you read the descriptions carefully before selecting your session.
Please note: These are more intimate with a Max of 25 people and a minimum of 15 participants is needed for each workshop to go ahead – so rally your friends in your genre and let’s make it happen!
YES, you can swap and change. No, you can’t be at two places at the one time… so choose wisely 🙂
PLEASE NOTE: SESSION AND WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS WILL BE COMING SOON
Conference Schedule
This is what you need to do and where you need to be… in a snapshot!
Thursday – Registrations open from 4:30pm – 5:30 pm and then everyone is invited for welcome drinks at the bar that evening.
Friday and Saturday – All are invited to the morning beach sessions at sunrise.
Rego and tradeshow opens at 8:00 – 9:00am. Come get your coffee, check out the trade and get your front row seat!
EVERYONE is together at both morning sessions
Then break for Lunch, tradeshow and community
Attend ONE workshop for that afternoon.
EVERYONE MUST come back together for the afternoon Mystery Speakers.
Before heading out for the evening social events.
Sunday – As most people will be heading home at some stage. This is a casual, connect and co-working time in the Hotel.
FRIDAY 22ND MAY 2026
CRAIG TURNER-BULLOCK & CHARLOTTE REEVES
UNLEASHED PHOTOGRAPHY
EARLY MORNING BEACH PET SESSION – WORKSHOP
Friday 22nd May 6:30 am – 7:45 am
Join Charlotte and Craig for a sunrise beach session where they’ll demonstrate how to capture dogs at their best and create a varied portfolio of images for clients.
ELLE PAYNE
ALWAYS BELLE PHOTOGRAPHY
9 STEPS TO BUILD, IMPLEMENT AND OPTIMISE GROWTH
SESSION 1 – Friday 22nd May 9:30am – 10:30am
This session explores a nine-step framework behind building a scalable and profitable photography business. This session takes you from defining your goals and understanding your numbers to implementing systems, leading a team, and creating consistent marketing and client experiences. You will then learn how to optimise performance by analysing data and making targeted improvements that increase profit and efficiency. Elle’s straightforward approach, using practical spreadsheet tools, will give you the clarity and structure to grow your studio with purpose.
Natasha Simpson
SESSION 2 – Friday 22nd May 10:30am – 11:30am
Workshops
DOUG WEITTENHILLER
TWIG & OLIVE
Friday 22nd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Join Doug from Twig & Olive for a high-impact, hands-on workshop that explores what makes family photography both emotional and profitable. You’ll learn how to direct families with authenticity and energy, capturing real connection rather than stiff poses. Then, dive into the full modern workflow, covering AI-assisted editing, marketing automation, and client communication systems that actually save time and grow business. This session blends creativity, technology, and practical strategy, giving you tools you can use immediately. Expect to shoot, think, and laugh while re-imagining how family sessions can truly thrive in today’s market.
PLEASE NOTE: DOUG WILL BE RUNNING THE SAME WORKSHOP ON BOTH DAYS
CRAIG TURNER-BULLOCK & CHARLOTTE REEVES
EDITING PET SESSION
Friday 22nd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
The classroom session will include editing images from the beach shoot to showcase images that sell in client galleries, tips and special considerations for working with dogs and what products sell in our own businesses
TANAH BASLIE
Mastering Newborn Posing & High-Value IPS
NEWBORN – WORKSHOP
Friday 22nd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
This workshop gives photographers a rare chance to learn directly from Tanha of Winni & Mini, one of Australia’s most sought-after newborn and maternity artists. Together, you’ll refine newborn posing with simple, safe techniques, learn how to draw out genuine emotion from expectant mothers, and get hands-on practice with Tanha’s signature flow. Then she’ll take you behind the curtain of her in-person sales approach — the exact system that consistently delivers average orders of $3,000+. By the end, you’ll walk away with clear posing confidence, a smoother client experience, and a proven IPS framework you can start using immediately.
PAULA BRENNAN
Friday 22nd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
TRINA JULIUS
Friday 22nd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
MICHEAL BRIGGS "BRIGGSY"
Candid Connection & Champagne Moments
WEDDING – WORKSHOP
Friday 22nd May 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Step into Briggsy’s world of candid, personality-driven wedding photography, where real connection wins every time. This high-energy workshop shows you how to bring your own personality into every interaction so couples feel relaxed, understood, and ready to have fun. You’ll learn how to communicate with clarity, direct without over-directing, and create an environment where genuine moments unfold easily.
Briggsy will also break down how to quickly and prolifically create your own BTS content while you shoot, keeping it simple and achievable no matter how hectic the day is. Expect movement, playfulness, micro-prompts, and reading the vibe of every couple. And yes, you’ll wrap it up with Briggsy’s signature champagne moment, learning how to capture the chaos with style.
JODIE SHANKS
Friday 22nd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
MYSTERY SPEAKER
SESSION 3 – Friday 22nd May 4:30pm – 5:00pm
SATURDAY 23RD MAY 2026
SPEAKER TBC
Saturday 23rd May 7:00am – 8:00am
KYLIE GARNER
SESSION 5 – Saturday 23rd May 9:30am – 10:30am
JOHL DUNN
STRATEGIC. SCALE. GROW
SESSION 5 – Saturday 23rd May 10:30am – 11:30am
Workshops
DOUG WEITTENHILLER
TWIG & OLIVE
Friday 22nd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Join Doug from Twig & Olive for a high-impact, hands-on workshop that explores what makes family photography both emotional and profitable. You’ll learn how to direct families with authenticity and energy, capturing real connection rather than stiff poses. Then, dive into the full modern workflow, covering AI-assisted editing, marketing automation, and client communication systems that actually save time and grow business. This session blends creativity, technology, and practical strategy, giving you tools you can use immediately. Expect to shoot, think, and laugh while re-imagining how family sessions can truly thrive in today’s market.
PLEASE NOTE: DOUG WILL BE RUNNING THE SAME WORKSHOP ON BOTH DAYS
NATASHA SIMPSON
Saturday 23rd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
BELINDA RICHARDS
Saturday 23rd 1:00pm – 4:00pm
KYLIE GARNER
Saturday 23rd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
ASHLEY SPAGNOLO
Luxury Weddings, Elegant Posing & High-End Branding
WEDDING WORKSHOP
Saturday 23rd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Join Ashley for a deep dive into the refined world of luxury wedding photography. This workshop explores how to bring elegance, structure, and intention to every frame. From graceful posing and body-aware direction to composing scenes that feel editorial yet emotionally grounded. Ashley will guide you through lighting choices (including direct flash), working confidently in fast-paced environments, and crafting imagery that aligns with a high-end aesthetic. You’ll also uncover the foundations of building a luxury brand from client experience to visual style and consistency. Perfect for photographers ready to elevate their portfolio and position themselves at the top end of the market.
Allison Cole
Saturday 23rd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
MELANIE BIRT
SYDNEY HEADSHOT PHOTOS
HEADSHOTS/EVENT – WORKSHOP
Saturday 23rd May 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Join professional photographer Melanie Birt for a hands-on session exploring lighting, posing, and expression in real-world studio and corporate environments. Learn how to achieve flattering, consistent results for individuals, teams, and large-scale events using both strobe and continuous setups. Melanie will share practical techniques for directing clients, guiding posing flows, and drawing out authentic expression to convey personality and purpose. She’ll also discuss collaborating with sponsors and makeup artists, and managing on-site workflows for volume and event headshots. The session concludes with insights into the business of corporate event photography—capturing the essence of an event, efficient culling strategies, and curating galleries that not only document the occasion but also help clients promote future events.
MYSTERY SPEAKER
SESSION 6 – Saturday 23rd May 4:30pm – 5:00pm