The PPBN Connect Conference 2027 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
Each morning, our conference starts with us ALL TOGETHER in the main auditorium; 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 20 people for the smaller workshop, up to 25-30 depending on the speaker, topic and location. Eg: the large auditorium space compared to the newborn room and boudoir apartment room can only hold 20 Max.
YES, you can swap and change. No, you can’t be at two places at the same time… so choose wisely 🙂
Click on each tab below to open and read the workshop details.
FRIDAY 21st MAY 2027
Morning Photography Session - Strength in Motion: Lighting and Posing Dancers in the Studio - Leah Hoffman
LEAH HOFFMAN
HOFFA STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY
DANCE STUDIO SESSION
Friday 21st May
7:00 am – 8:00am
Main Auditorium
Demo
Models
Skill: Everyone
All in session
Strength in Motion: Lighting and Posing Dancers in the Studio
Dancers are athletes and artists in one body, and your lighting needs to show both. In this studio workshop, I’ll show you how I shape light to highlight strength, form and movement, creating images that feel powerful rather than posed. You’ll learn how to direct and position dancers so they look their strongest, and how pose, timing and light work together to nail the moment. We’ll explore creative lighting and composition you can take straight back to your own studio.
Whether you’re adding dance to your offering or chasing a more artistic edge, you’ll leave with practical techniques that work. Not a dance photographer? Everything here works just as well with athletes.
What you will learn…
- Shape light to emphasise form, muscle and movement
- Direct and position dancers to showcase their technique
- Combine light, timing and composition for striking images
About Leah:
I’m Leah Hoffman, the photographer and creative behind Hoffa Studios Photography. For over 14 years, I’ve specialised in photographing dancers, turning my passion for dance, creativity and photography into a successful fine art photography business. I capture the strength, movement and individuality of every dancer, creating timeless printed artwork that celebrates their journey. Most importantly, I strive to create an empowering experience where dancers leave the studio not only with beautiful artwork, but with greater self-confidence and belief in themselves.
Business Session - Stand Out or Fade Away - Amber Henry
AMBER HENRY
AMBER HENRY PHOTOGRAPHY
BUSINESS SESSION
Friday 21st May
9:15am – 10:15am
Main Auditorium
All in session
Stand Out or Fade Away
Who made all these rules anyway? Photography is packed with trends, algorithms, formulas, and people telling you what you should be doing. Amber Henry has built her career by doing the opposite. She’s experimented, crossed genres, broken rules, ignored trends, and created a style that is unmistakably her own that clients actively seek out.
This high-energy keynote will fire you up to stop chasing what everyone else is doing and start creating work that feels like you. Come ready to rethink the rules, embrace your individuality, have some fun, and then go and make the most of every opportunity this conference has to offer.
What you will learn…
- How to develop a recognisable photographic style.
- Why breaking trends can strengthen your brand.
- How to embrace your unique creativity in any genere.
About Amber:
Amber Henry is an internationally award-winning Master Wedding and Portrait Photographer, judge, mentor, and educator based in Michigan, USA. With nearly 20 years behind the camera, Amber is celebrated for her romantic, distinctive imagery and mastery of light and colour. Her work has been recognised and published worldwide, including top awards by WPPI, WPE, PPA, Portrait Masters, Click Masters, and Fearless Photographers. A Westcott Top Pro and multi-brand ambassador, Amber is also the founder of “Females Who Flash”, empowering women photographers through education, mentorship, and community. Amber’s motto is “Absolutely anyone can change their stars.”
Business Session - The Professional Photographers Scorecard: Score Yourself, Then Fix the Gaps - Elle Payne
ELLE PAYNE
ALWAYS BELLE PHOTOGRAPHY
BUSINESS SESSION
Friday 21st May
10:30am – 11:30am
Main Auditorium
All in session
The Professional Photographer's Scorecard: Score Yourself, Then Fix the Gaps
Most photographers didn’t start a business because they loved running a business. They started because they loved photography, and everything else got built around it over time. This session isn’t about telling anyone how to run their studio. Every photographer gets a one-page scorecard, and we work through the behaviours professional business owners have in place, one at a time, pausing after each so you can score yourself honestly.
We’ll cover your numbers, how clients find you, how your studio runs day to day, and how you spend your time. You’ll leave knowing exactly where your gaps are and what to fix first.
What you will learn…
- Which numbers you should know, and why they matter
- How professional studios find clients and run day-to-day
- Where your gaps are, and what to fix first
About Elle:
Elle is the owner of Always Belle Photography, a newborn and family studio in Eaglemont, Melbourne, with a team built mostly of paediatric nurse photographers. A paediatric nurse herself, she started the business accidentally twelve years ago and has since grown it into a studio that runs without her in it every day. She’s also a mum of two, which is what forced her to get serious about her time, her systems and her numbers.
Workshop - Advanced Outdoor Lighting - You Are More Powerful Than The Sun - Amber Henry
AMBER HENRY
AMBER HENRY PHOTOGRAPHY
ADVANCED LIGHTING OUTDOOR – WORKSHOP
Friday 21st May
1:00pm – 4:00pm
On Location
Hands-on Bring Gear
Models
Skill: Intermediate
ATT: Max 30 people
You Are More Powerful Than The Sun
Natural light is great… until it isn’t. To be the best you must stop waiting for perfect light and start creating it. In this hands-on outdoor off-camera flash workshop, Amber Henry will show you how to find the light that’s already there, understand where it’s coming from, and then completely change the game with flash.
We’ll talk about breaking the traditional “rules” of light, transforming ordinary locations into something extraordinary, and creating dramatic images when there seems to be nothing to work with. Most importantly, you’ll stop being intimidated by off-camera flash and start seeing it for what it really is: one of your biggest creative strengths!
What you will learn…
- How to find and manipulate any outside light
- The confidence to use off-camera flash anywhere easily.
- Create dramatic light compositions anywhere
About Amber:
Amber Henry is an internationally award-winning Master Wedding and Portrait Photographer, judge, mentor, and educator based in Michigan, USA. With nearly 20 years behind the camera, Amber is celebrated for her romantic, distinctive imagery and mastery of light and colour. Her work has been recognised and published worldwide, including top awards by WPPI, WPE, PPA, Portrait Masters, Click Masters, and Fearless Photographers. A Westcott Top Pro and multi-brand ambassador, Amber is also the founder of “Females Who Flash”, empowering women photographers through education, mentorship, and community. Amber’s motto is “Absolutely anyone can change their stars.”
Workshop - Family Studio - One Flash Lighting & Family Photography That Sells - Kate Buechner
KATE BUECHNER
UBER PHOTOGRAPHY
FAMILY STUDIO – WORKSHOP
Friday 21st May
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Main Auditorium
Demo / Models
Everyone
ATT: Max 30 people
One Flash Studio Lighting & Family Photography That Sells
Join Kate for a live family shoot in the studio. Using just one flash, she’ll show you how simple family lighting can be. She’ll explain how she gets everyone into a starting pose, then steps back to let real moments happen, working through a variety of poses, so Mum always finds a photo of herself she loves.
As she shoots, Kate explains why she’s taking each frame and how it connects to what families actually buy. You’ll see how she keeps the session fun and relaxed for kids, parents and even the reluctant dad. Then Kate walks you through her in-person sales session and shares what has kept her business going for over 20 years
What you will learn…
- Simple studio lighting for families using just one flash
- Natural poses, with enough variety that Mum loves one
- How to run a relaxed IPS session
About Kate:
Kate has been running über photography in Gordon, on Sydney’s North Shore, for 23 years. In that time she has photographed almost 5,000 families, with many repeat clients coming back multiple times. Kate’s approach is simple: make the session fun, let real moments happen and shoot with the sale in mind. Her in-person ordering sessions, with same-day sales for weekday shoots, are a big part of how she has stayed in business this long.
Workshop - Pets Outdoor - Dog Behaviour for Photographers: The Key to Low Stress Sessions - Kirstie McConnell
KIRSTIE McCONNELL
CLASSICO PORTRAITS
PET OUTDOOR – WORKSHOP
Friday 21st May
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
On Location
Demo / Models
Everyone
ATT: Max 20 people
Dog Behaviour for Photographers: The Key to Low Stress Sessions
You already know your craft. This session is about understanding dogs, so your shoots run more smoothly, your clients have a better experience and your business grows because of it. We’ll start with understanding the principles, and then you’ll watch me work with real pet dogs, not trained models, so expect sniffing, zoomies and at least one dog who really isn’t into the “stay” command.
Then it’s your turn so bring your camera. We’ll also talk about using this point of difference in your marketing. Whether you photograph dogs every week or you’re thinking of adding them to your offering, you’ll leave knowing what the dog is telling you, and what to do about it.
What you will learn…
- Read a dog’s early stress signals and when to stop.
- Set yourself up for success: the greeting, the must-haves in your bag, the breaks and the rewards.
- What to ask a client before the shoot, so even the most nervous dog owners trust you, refer you and come back.
About Kirstie:
Kirstie has one rule she won’t budge on: know your subject. For her, that means reading what a dog is telling you before it has to tell you twice. She opened one of Australia’s first specialist pet photography studios in 2012, then helped found The Pet Photographers Club and the International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards, hosting three international retreats and two online conferences.
While living in Italy, she photographed families and couples on luxury holidays, with no time for reshoots. She now runs Classico Portraits Australia in Mornington, where the dog is always part of the family.
Workshop - Newborn Studio - Jodie Andrews
JODIE ANDREWS
JODIE ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY
NEWBORN STUDIO – WORKSHOP
Friday 21st May
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Lounge
Demo / Models
Everyone
ATT: Max 20 people
Think Outside the Box: Newborn Photography Reimagined
Purpose-built studio or endless space to create extraordinary newborn portraits? Join Jodie Andrews, three-time Australian Newborn Photographer of the Year, for a hands-on workshop that challenges traditional approaches to newborn photography. See how Jodie has revolutionised newborn photography in a custom-built Mobile Studio (converted Motorhome into a mobile studio). Plenty of people said it couldn’t be done, but Jodie saw possibilities where others saw limitations. Determined to bring her vision to life, she challenged convention and made it happen! Discover how she turned an ambitious idea into reality and why she did it!.
Learn how to work creatively in small spaces, refine your newborn posing and use clever problem-solving to transform simple setups into beautiful images. Jodie will demonstrate her approach to capturing the details that make a difference, then take you behind the scenes to explore her editing process and workflow strategies. Leave inspired with practical ideas to create stunning newborn portraits in any space.
What you will learn…
- Create beautiful newborn portraits in small spaces
- Refine newborn posing and creative problem-solving
- Improve editing and streamline your workflow
About Jodie:
Jodie Andrews is a three-time Australian Newborn Photographer of the Year, renowned for her creativity, technical expertise and passion for newborn photography. She challenges traditional approaches, showing photographers how to create beautiful, timeless portraits without needing a large studio or elaborate setups. Through her hands-on teaching, Jodie shares practical posing techniques, creative problem-solving, editing skills and efficient workflows to help photographers refine their craft, work smarter and discover new possibilities in their newborn photography.
Workshop - Personal Branding at the Island Bar - Paula Brennan
PAULA BRENNAN
PAULA BRENNAN PHOTOGRAPHY
PERSONAL BRANDING – WORKSHOP
Friday 21st May
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The ISLAND Bar
Demo / Models
Everyone
ATT: Max 25 people
Personal Branding on location at "the Island Bar"
After a sold-out session at the last conference, Paula is back by popular demand!
With more than two decades of professional photography experience, Paula Brennan has built a successful business around personal branding photography, helping entrepreneurs and business owners show up with confidence and connect with their ideal clients. Having transitioned from the demanding world of weddings and portraits into a specialised personal branding business model, Paula understands what it takes to evolve your photography business into something more profitable and sustainable.
As a photographer, educator and mentor, she now helps other photographers develop their skills, refine their marketing and build a business that supports the lifestyle they want. At PPBN Connect Conference 2027, Paula will share practical insights drawn from her own journey, giving photographers fresh ideas for attracting clients, creating premium experiences and unlocking new opportunities for growth.
Full workshop descriptions to come shortly
Workshop - Boudoir - The Self-Booking Studio: Less Admin, More Visibility - Jennifer Williams
JENNIFER WILLIAMS
JENNIFER WILLIAMS BOUDOIR
BOUDOIR – WORKSHOP
Friday 21st May
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Appartment
Demo / Models / Laptop
Everyone
ATT: Max 20 people
The Self-Booking Studio: Less Admin, More Visibility
Imagine a studio where clients book themselves, workflows run smoothly, and potential clients can see exactly what it’s like to work with you. Jen shares how she simplifies online bookings and automates her backend, alongside her approach to attracting and photographing women in their 40s, 50s and beyond using elegant, sensual posing with natural and ambient light. She’ll also share how she makes herself visible behind the scenes, edits real studio moments into engaging social media content, and encourages clients to leave Google reviews. Discover practical strategies for building trust, attracting an often overlooked demographic, and creating a more efficient photography business.
What you will learn…
- Streamline online bookings and automate your studio workflows.
- Market to and confidently photograph women aged 40+
- Edit behind-the-scenes content, increase visibility and generate Google reviews
About Jeniffer:
Jennifer Williams has been photographing women in Vancouver, Canada, since 2008, making her one of boudoir photography’s early pioneers. With over 1,000 women photographed and more than 130 five-star Google reviews, she’s known for elegant, sensual posing and her use of natural and ambient light. Jennifer combines her signature photography style with streamlined online bookings, clever automation and behind-the-scenes social media content to build visibility, trust and a thriving boudoir business.
Workshop - Advanced Business - Your First AI Employee: Built Live in the Room - Ben Mc Coy
BEN MCCOY
GOODLIFE PORTRAITS / WITH THE BENJAMIN
ADVANCED BUSINESS WORKSHOP
Friday 21st May
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Bring Your Laptop
ATT: Max 25 people
Your First AI Employee: Built live in the room
Bring your laptop. You’ll leave with an AI agent that actually knows your business, built by you, in the room. We connect it to your real world: it reads your website and your socials, learns your prices and your voice, hooks into your inbox and calendar. Then we put it to work live: auditing your site like a lost customer, drafting replies to your real enquiries in your words, writing your next week of posts. This is the Claude-heavy session. No slides-only theory, no generic AI tips. You build it, it works, you take it home running. If you can tag a photo, you can do this.
What you will learn…
- Build your own AI employee, live!
- Your admin, answered. Your calendar, filled. While you shoot.
- Leave with it running, not with a notes page
About Ben:
I’m Ben McCoy. I’ve run my own $1m+ portrait studio in Perth for over a decade, and in the last two years I rebuilt it around AI: an agent crew that answers enquiries, fills the calendar, chases follow-ups and does the admin while we shoot. Now I install that same machine into other photographers’ studios through With The Benjamin. No theory. I show you the real thing running, then we build yours.
Business Panel - ASK THE PHOTOGRAPHERS: Anything Goes! - Mark Rossetto
MARK ROSSETTO
PPBN CEO
PANNEL
Friday 21st May
4:45pm – 5:15pm
All in Session
ASK THE PHOTOGRAPHERS: Anything Goes!
Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a successful photography business? Now is your chance to find out!
Hosted by Mark Rossetto, this is your opportunity to hear directly from a panel of successful photographers as we ask the questions you’ve always wanted answered. From pricing and profitability to marketing, sales, client relationships, business challenges and the lessons they’ve learned along the way, we’re going beyond the pretty pictures to uncover what it really takes to succeed in this industry.
Expect honest conversations, real-world experiences, unexpected insights and maybe a few uncomfortable questions!
No scripts, no sugar-coating, just photographers sharing what they’ve learned through experience. Come ready to listen, learn and discover the things you didn’t even know you needed to ask!
SATURDAY 22nd MAY 2027
Morning Photography Session - High End Maternity - Tanha Basile
TANHA BASILE
WINNI & MINI PHOTOGRAPHY
MATERNITY STUDIO – WORKSHOP
Saturday 22nd May
7:30am – 8:30am
Main Auditorium
Demo
Models
Skill: Everyone
All in Session
High End Studio Maternity
You don’t need more gear. You need to know what to do with one light. In this studio workshop, I’ll show you how I create minimal, editorial maternity portraits that look like they belong in a magazine, using a single light. You’ll learn how to shape light around the bump, pose pregnant clients so every curve catches it, and style and retouch images that feel luxurious, not overdone.
You’ll watch me shoot live and see exactly how I build each look, from the first light placement to the final frame. You’ll walk away with a lighting setup you can repeat in any space, the confidence to direct your clients, and a signature look worth charging more for.
What you will learn…
- Mastering one light: modifiers, placement and shaping for editorial drama.
- Posing pregnant clients to sculpt the bump and catch light
- Maternity images that look magazine-ready.
About Tanha:
Tanha is a Gold Coast photographer with more than 13 years behind the lens. She’s the founder of Winni & Mini Photography, a luxury newborn, maternity and family studio in Hope Island, and her work has been featured in Vogue and Gallery Lane. She also runs Siren Sessions, her dark, moody boudoir and empowerment brand. It’s the same eye with a very different mood. Whether it’s a baby’s first days or a woman meeting her boldest self, the goal is the same: make you feel seen. She walks into a room like she owns it, and her clients walk out feeling like they do too.
Business Session - Packaging & Selling Products in Today's Market - Leah Hoffman
LEAH HOFFMAN
HOFFA STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY
BUSINESS SESSION
Saturday 22nd May
9:15am – 10:15am
Main Auditorium
All in Session
Packaging & Selling Products in Today's Market
In this session, I’ll share how I’ve adapted my business to confidently sell printed artwork while creating an experience clients genuinely value. We’ll explore how to educate clients before they even step into the studio, structure the photographic experience to support the sale, overcome common objections such as price and “I don’t have wall space,” and make the viewing appointment feel exciting rather than pressured.
You’ll walk away with practical ideas you can implement in your own business to increase artwork sales, strengthen your client experience and sell with confidence.
What you will learn…
- Sell printed artwork that clients love
- Educate your clients to set yourself up for the win
- Sell with confidence, without selling at all!
About Leah:
I’m Leah Hoffman, the photographer and creative behind Hoffa Studios Photography. For over 14 years, I’ve specialised in photographing dancers, turning my passion for dance, creativity and photography into a successful fine art photography business. I capture the strength, movement and individuality of every dancer, creating timeless printed artwork that celebrates their journey. Most importantly, I strive to create an empowering experience where dancers leave the studio not only with beautiful artwork, but with greater self-confidence and belief in themselves.
Business Session - The Single Most Important Thing in Your Business.. - Dean Mansbridge
DEAN MANSBRIDGE
ZANZO PORTRAITS & HOBART HEADSHOTS
BUSINESS SESSION
Saturday 22nd May
10:30am – 11:30am
Main Auditorium
All in Session
The single most important thing in your business...
Well, I don’t wanna drop any spoilers, so I can’t say too much. Let’s just say you’ll wanna be here for this one.
What you will learn…
- Why everything in your business matters
- How only one thing in your business really matters
- The importance of zooming out and feeling in.
About Dean:
Dean’s natural ability to connect with people of all ages from all backgrounds has helped him become one of the best photographers in the universe… According to his Mum
Workshop - Advanced Studio Lighting - Light it Like You Mean It - Amber Henry
AMBER HENRY
AMBER HENRY PHOTOGRAPHY
ADVANCED LIGHTING STUDIO – WORKSHOP
Saturday 22nd May
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Main Auditorium
Hands-on Bring Gear
Models
Skill: Intermediate
ATT: Max 30 people
Light it like you mean it!
Creating beautiful light is only the beginning. Once you understand how to build and control your light, you can stop worrying about getting it “right” and start having fun creating something completely your own. In this studio-based workshop, we’ll start with solid, flattering light…and then turn up the creativity with colour, gels, effects, movement, and unexpected combinations!
Learn how to take a simple lighting setup and easily create multiple looks that feel completely different, giving you a wide portfolio with variety, personality, and serious visual impact. Amber believes mastering light shouldn’t make your work predictable; it should give you the freedom to create images your clients can’t stop bragging about!
What you will learn…
- How to build beautiful, intentional studio light.
- Effortlessly turn one set up into multiple looks
- How to combine light, gels, and creative effects.
About Amber:
Amber Henry is an internationally award-winning Master Wedding and Portrait Photographer, judge, mentor, and educator based in Michigan, USA. With nearly 20 years behind the camera, Amber is celebrated for her romantic, distinctive imagery and mastery of light and colour. Her work has been recognised and published worldwide, including top awards by WPPI, WPE, PPA, Portrait Masters, Click Masters, and Fearless Photographers. A Westcott Top Pro and multi-brand ambassador, Amber is also the founder of “Females Who Flash”, empowering women photographers through education, mentorship, and community. Amber’s motto is “Absolutely anyone can change their stars.”
Workshop - Family Outdoor - Photographing Families in the Real World: Connection Over Perfection - Natalie Howe
NATALIE HOWE
HOWE STUDIOS
FAMILY OUTDOOR – WORKSHOP
Saturday 22nd May
1:00pm – 4:00pm
On Location
Hands-on Bring Gear
Models
Skill: Everyone
ATT: Max 20 people
Photographing Families in the Real World: Connection Over Perfection
Join Natalie Howe on location for a live family photography session demonstrating how to create beautiful, connected images without relying on perfect poses or perfectly behaved children.
Natalie will demonstrate how she builds rapport with children, directs parents, adjusts clothing and hair, and works confidently with children who are too young, unwilling or unable to take direction. Through play, humour and interaction, she creates genuine expressions rather than simply asking children to “smile.”
You’ll learn how to embrace the chaos, allow children to influence the session, and guide parents to lean into their children’s personalities and behaviour. See how observation, communication and thoughtful direction can transform unpredictable moments into meaningful, polished and professional family portraits.
What you will learn…
- Direct Without Controlling
- Photograph Children Who Won’t “Perform”
- Chaos Into Connection
About Natalie:
Natalie Howe is the founder of Howe Studios, with more than 22 years’ experience creating professional photography and building a thriving studio business. Specialising in newborn, maternity, family and portrait photography, Natalie’s approach has always centred on her clients—creating beautiful images, meaningful experiences and memories that families return to year after year. With extensive hands-on experience in lighting, posing, workflow, sales and business, Natalie shares practical, real-world strategies developed through decades behind the camera and running a successful studio.
Workshop - Pets Studio - Creating Fine Art Feline Portraits in the Studio - Belinda Richards
BELINDA RICHARDS
FROG DOG STUDIOS
PET STUDIO – WORKSHOP
Saturday 22nd May
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Demo
Models
Skill: Everyone
ATT: Max 20 people
Creating Fine Art Feline Portraits in the Studio
Cats have a reputation for doing exactly what they want, which is precisely what makes photographing them so much fun. In this live demonstration, I’ll recreate one of my favourite award-winning pieces, Cattitude, while showing you how I work with cats in the studio from start to finish. We’ll look at reading feline behaviour, working with rather than against your subject, positioning and encouraging the expressions you need, and creating a lighting setup that brings out incredible detail and dimension. You’ll see how thoughtful lighting, patience and a little bit of patience can transform a simple studio setup into a finished piece of art. Then we’ll head into post-production to cull the shoot, select the strongest images and complete a full edit. Finally, I’ll show how I take those finished images beyond the screen and present it as a piece of wall art for a client’s home.
NO MORE FREEBIE SESSIONS and hoping they’re going to buy something. I’m going to show you how I set up the client experince and position yourself to help guarantee sales by knowing what your clients are going to purchase before the session even starts!
What you will learn…
- Read feline behaviour and work with cats, not against them
- Light cats for beautiful detail, texture and dimension
- NO more freebie sessions!
About Belinda:
Animals have been at the heart of Belinda Richards’ life and career for more than 25 years. Based in Melbourne, Australia, she is an internationally acclaimed pet photographer, artist and educator who has built her career around celebrating the personalities, quirks and individuality of the animals she photographs. Her work combines a deep understanding of animal behaviour with fine art, humour and storytelling. Belinda is a PPA Master Photographer, NZIPP Grand Master and Australian Photographic Prize Laureate II. Her accolades include Australian Pet Photographer of the Year four years running, International Dog Photographer of the Year 2025 and International Feline Photographer of the Year 2026. Despite the awards, it’s the animals and the stories they inspire that continue to be at the heart of everything she creates.
Workshop - Newborn Natural Light - The Newborn Dance: Choreographing a clam, connected and Curated session. Every Single Time - Kate Ellis
KATE ELLIS
KATE & CO FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHERS
NEWBORN NATURAL LIGHTING – WORKSHOP
Saturday 22nd May
1:00 pm – 4:00pm
The Lounge
Demo
Models
Skill: Intermediate
ATT: Max 20 people
The Newborn Dance: Choreographing a calm, connected and curated session. Every single time.
A client once watched me work with her partner and newborn and told me it was like watching a beautifully choreographed dance. That’s what this workshop is about. In this live demo, I want to share with you how I curate my newborn workflow to encourage calm and connected images, parents who are relaxed and involved and how I guide parents from one flow to another. All whilst keeping baby settled, the images strong and leaving room for creativity (and the odd chaotic toddler).
I’ll finish by walking you through my real studio timeline, showing how a choreographed session is what lets me shoot, sell, edit and deliver in three hours, with an average sale of $2000.
What you will learn…
- Curate a newborn workflow for calm, connected images
- Guide parents through each flow, relaxed and involved
- From shoot to $2,000 sale and delivery in three hours
About Kate:
Hi, I’m Kate. I’ve been doing this a while, won some awards (AIPP Master, Telstra Business Awards finalist) and photographed a lot of babies. I shoot predominantly natural light, and my images are clean, minimal and heartfelt. My business has turned over an average of $444K a year for the last five years. Solo, four days a week, no weekends, about 42 weeks a year with an average sale of $2000. How? Calm, simple workflows.
Workshop - Weddings - The Art & Business of Wedding Photography - Rachael & Dean Bentick
RACHAEL & DEAN BENTICK
INLIGHTEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Wedding – Workshop
Friday 9th OCT
1:00 pm – 4:00pm
Demo
Bring Your Camera
Skill: Everyone
ATT: Max 20 people
The Art & Business of Wedding Photography
Great wedding photography is about more than beautiful images. And running a successful studio? That’s a whole other skill set! Join Rachael and Dean Bentick, the husband-and-wife team behind Inlighten, for a fun, hands-on workshop exploring the art and business of wedding photography.
Cameras out! Shoot alongside Dean as he shares his approach to posing, lighting and creating timeless imagery, plus the workflows, software and production systems that keep everything running smoothly. Then join Rachael as she reveals the marketing, sales and client experience strategies behind their 24-year journey. Expect practical demonstrations, real workflows and ideas you can use straight away!
What you will learn…
- Master the art and workflow of wedding photography – from posing to production, software and studio management.
- Turn enquiries into bookings and bigger sales with modern upselling strategies that go beyond albums.
- Build a successful wedding photography business that evolves, grows and lasts.
About Rachael and Dean:
Rachael and Dean Bentick are the husband-and-wife team behind Inlighten Photography, one of Sydney’s established premium wedding photography businesses. With more than two decades in the industry, they have built a successful brand renowned for elegant imagery, exceptional service and a highly personalised client experience.
Their achievements include winning the Australian Bridal Industry Awards for Best Wedding Photographer in NSW in 2018, 2019 and 2022, as well as international recognition as one of the world’s top wedding photography businesses. But their success goes beyond beautiful photographs. Rachael and Dean have developed a business that combines strong creative direction with premium pricing, streamlined service and a memorable client journey. At PPBN Connect Conference 2027, they will share valuable lessons from their business journey to help photographers grow sustainably, increase their value and build a business that supports their ambitions.
Workshop - Boudoir - Spicy Boudoir with Legendary Service - Allison & Tash
ALLISON COLE & NATASHA FRETWELL
ALLISON COLE PHOTOGRAPHY
BOUDOIR – WORKSHOP
Saturday 22nd May
1:00 pm – 4:00pm
Appartment
Demo
Models
ATT: Max 20 people
Spicy Boudoir with Legendary Service
Allison Cole and Natasha Fretwell bring two very different boudoir styles together for one practical, real-world workshop. Allison will share her sexy, dark and moody approach, including lighting, posing, phone consults and building a strong social presence. Natasha will cover her editorial, black-and-white style alongside the legendary customer service, boundaries and offline visibility that keep clients coming back.
You’ll see how two photographers can run successful boudoir studios in very similar ways while playing to completely different strengths and take away practical strategies you can adapt to your own business.
What you will learn…
- Lighting + Posing for Two Different Boudoir Styles
- Legendary Customer Service + Boundaries
- Marketing On + Off Social Media
About Allison:
Allison Cole has spent 18 years behind the camera and is known for her sexy, dark and moody approach to boudoir. She has built a bold, highly recognisable brand and thriving Victorian studio through strong social marketing, confident sales conversations and systems designed to work with her ADHD brain. Allison brings an energetic, practical approach to business and loves breaking down what actually works in the real world.
About Natasha:
Natasha Fretwell brings 21 years of photography experience and a love of editorial, black-and-white boudoir. Her strength lies in creating an exceptional client experience combining thoughtful communication, confident boundaries and polished service that keeps clients feeling supported from beginning to end. Running her own thriving studio, Natasha also knows how to stay visible and build a strong reputation without relying heavily on social media.
Workshop - Advanced Digital Marketing - From Click to Client: The Meta Lead Generation Playbook - Monica Koudsy
MONICA KOUDSY
KURIOUS GROUP
ADVANCED DIGITAL MARKETING – WORKSHOP
Saturday 22nd May
1:00 pm – 4:00pm
Bring your laptop
Skill: Everyone
ATT: Max 25 people
From Click to Client: The Meta Lead Generation Playbook
I’ll show you how to turn Meta lead generation into a system that actually feeds your photography business. We’ll cover how to create ads, videos and offers that get attention and convert, the numbers you need to understand, and what happens once you’ve paid for the lead. From first contact to follow-up, I’ll break down the process and language we use to move leads towards bookings and revenue.
What you will learn…
- How to create attention-grabbing ads, videos and offers designed to convert
- How to build your lead-handling process from first contact onwards
- The follow-up framework and language that moves leads towards a booking
About Monica:
I’m Monica Koudsy, Founder and CEO of Kurious Group, a performance marketing agency specialising in lead generation for photography studios globally. My focus is on connecting marketing to the numbers that drive real business growth, from leads and bookings through to revenue. My goal is to help photographers stop treating marketing as an expense and start using it as a measurable, predictable engine for growth.
Business Session - Life will Never be the Same Again - Rachael Bentick
RACHAEL BENTICK
INLIGHTEN PHOTOGRAPHY
BUSINESS SESSION
Friday 9th OCT
4:45 pm – 5:15pm
Skill: Everyone
All in Session
What Got You Here... Won't Get You There
In an industry that never stands still, what got you to where you are today isn’t necessarily what will get you to where you want to go tomorrow. Drawing on 25 years of building and evolving a creative business, Rachael challenges photographers to question what they’ve outgrown, recognise what no longer serves them and find the confidence to do things differently. This is a conversation about letting go without losing who you are, defining what matters most to you and having the courage to create a business and a life that excites you about what’s next.
What you will learn…
- How to recognise when it’s time to evolve.
- How to redefine success on your own terms.
- How to create more freedom doing what you love.
About Rachael:
Rachael is the co-founder and business-driving force behind Inlighten, a wedding photography and videography business she and her husband Dean started in 2002. Over 25 years, she has helped transform the business from a solo creative operation into a scalable brand, evolving with the industry while building systems, teams and new opportunities. Passionate about challenging the way business owners think, Rachael inspires creatives to let go of what no longer serves them and confidently embrace what comes next.