4 Hidden Gem Photography Conferences You Can Still Attend In 2025- Great For New Photographers!
Ready to grow your photography business for real in 2025?
If you're just starting your photography business or you're ready to level up your portfolio and connections, 2025 is stacked with some incredible photography conferences. In this episode of The Edit Weekly, we (Amanda from Seattle and Whitney from Minneapolis!) are breaking down four of our absolute faves—ones that are smaller, more hands-on, and absolutely packed with the kind of real learning and networking that can move your business forward fast.
If you missed the mega expos this year (WPPI and Imaging USA—we still love you), check out these more intimate, powerful alternatives.
1. ShutterFest
When: April 22-24, 2025 (plus optional April 25 day)
Where: St. Louis, Missouri
Website: shutterfest.com
ShutterFest is known for being insanely hands-on. We're talking live shoots with real models, photo walks, off-camera lighting workshops, posing classes, and more. It's perfect if you're just starting out and want to build your portfolio while learning real-world skills.
Bonus: it's held at the gorgeous Union Station Hotel. Oh, and tickets are just $399. Yep, a full-on photography conference for less than a lens rental.
If you’re tactile, visual, and want to get your hands on gear and talk to real reps at their trade show—this one's for you.
2. Photo Creators Conference
When: May 2025
Where: Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, Tucson, AZ
Website: www.thephotocreators.com
This is the ultimate "sleepaway camp for grown-up photographers." You’re out in the desert, staying at a beautiful ranch, learning studio lighting, natural light techniques, family photography, and even astrophotography (YES, please).
It’s boutique-style, so you get more one-on-one time with educators and a much more chill, collaborative vibe. And yes—you can go horseback riding. It's the most expensive of this set of conferences at $1300, but you're getting immersive learning from a variety of instructors that you can’t get anywhere else at that low a cost.
Choosing the Right Social Media Platform
Instead of spreading yourself too thin across multiple social media 3. Bokeh Academy Summit
When: July 28-30, 2025
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Website: www.bokehacademy.co
This one is alllll about the business side of photography. So if you're ready to finally get serious about your pricing, branding, marketing, and systems—this is it. For $599, you get three days of learning, styled sets to shoot (hello, fresh portfolio content), and practical tips that’ll help you turn your side hustle into a full-time gig.
Atlanta also delivers dreamy city backdrops for portfolio work and content.
4. The Photo Cookout
When: October 2025
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Website: thephotocookout.com
“The first photography conference for Black photographers”
We first heard about this one from our guest Ambreia, and she said it felt like "coming home to family." And straight from their website “Join our expertly guided Cousin photo walks and capture the unique charm of the Big Easy. From the historic French Quarter to the lively streets of the Arts District, you'll create stunning images alongside your photo family.”
Expect photo walks, breakout sessions, keynotes, and the chance to truly feel seen in an industry that sometimes overlooks people. New Orleans brings the color, the architecture, and the perfect vibe to create next-level portfolio content.
Why Conferences Are Worth It (Especially for New Photographers)
Portfolio building: Real shoots in new places with pro styling = content gold
Networking: Meet photographers who can refer you or collaborate
Learning: Hands-on experience > online courses
Business growth: Learn pricing, branding, and strategy
Tax write-offs: Yep, you can deduct the cost of registration, travel, and even meals!
We dive into this in more detail in our episode here, so make sure to check that out!
Final Thoughts
There’s no better way to accelerate your growth than to step away from your screen and show up in person. Whether you're into family sessions, commercial work, lighting mastery, or just figuring it out—there’s a conference here that can help you grow your skills, find your people, and move forward with confidence.
👉 Have you been to any of these? Are you planning on going to one in 2025? Let us know in the comments or DM us @theeditweekly!
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Have a great week!!
The Edit Ladies 😊
