Dallas PPA upcoming events

Member Meet-Up: UT Southwestern Rookery (May 09, 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Member Meet-Up

UT Southwestern Rookery

Saturday, May 9, 2026

UT Southwestern Rookery

Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Time: 09:00 AM - Until

Location: Main entrance for UT Southwestern - 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Visitor Parking lot #7

What to Bring: A tripod, lens of your choice; 70-200mm works well. A longer lens will get you closer if you like.

Cost: Free to attend but MUST REGISTER

*** This event is for Dallas PPA members ONLY ***

Registration closes on May 8th

REGISTER NOW

Monthly Meeting: Moments in Time with Kevin Jairaj (May 12, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

May Meeting

Moments in Time with Kevin Jairaj

Join Kevin as he shares his story of how he went from the corporate world to teaching himself how to be a very successful wedding and portrait photographer before transitioning to sports and managing a team of over 30 photographers for the College Football Playoff. Kevin will showcase some of his iconic images from over the years and share the back stories of how he was able to capture the moments. Kevin will go over some of his marketing and business strategies in addition to answering any questions that attendees may have.

Kevin is a Canon Explorer of Light.

In just a few short years, Kevin has not only become one of the most sought after photographers in the USA, but also worldwide. He has been commissioned to do photoshoots, weddings, and events all over the world in addition to the work he shoots in the rest of the USA. Kevin is also a favorite among the celebrity crowd and has photographed weddings and events for many musicians, actors, and famous athletes. Kevin is one of only a few people in the world to hold the Triple Master Title from WPPI as well as a Master of Photography from PPA. Kevin has also won Numerous 1st Place Awards in WPPI 16×20 and 8x10 print competitions in addition to having several prints selected in the PPA Loan collection over the years. He also recently won 1st place in the World Sports Photography Awards.

Kevin has covered several Olympics, Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, and has been The Official Photographer for the College Football Playoff National Championship since its inception in 2015.

Pre-Meeting Event: TBD

Separate registration is NOT required for this pre-meeting event. Anyone registered for the monthly meeting can come in early and take advantage of this learning opportunity.

(New Member Orientation (ZOOM) (May 13, 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Member Orientation Program

Get the best value out of Dallas PPA

Some of the topics we will cover:

Dallas PPA's monthly events
Educational resources
Degrees and certifications paths
Navigating the website
Image competition
PPA Community Network structure - PPA, TPPA, DPPA, etc
Making your voice heard
And any questions you might have.

*Even though this program is scheduled to benefit relatively new members,

all members are welcome to attend.

A Zoom meeting link will be emailed after registration.

Register HERE

M2M Program: From File Dump to Full Service: The Power of In Person Sales (IPS) with Tracy Allard (May 16, 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Member 2 Member Program

From File Dump to Full Service: The Power of In Person Sales (IPS) with Tracy Allard

Registration Opens May 1, 2026

Are you ready to create an unforgettable client experience and build a sustainable, profitable photography business?

When you sell digital files, you lose control over the quality of your work, leave money on the table, and risk your images sitting forgotten on a hard drive. In this class, I’ll show you how to break free from the digital trap and embrace a full-service approach with In-Person Sales (IPS). By selling beautiful, tangible products like wall art and albums, or even digital files (yes, I sell those too, but in a tangible way), you’ll elevate your client experience, increase your income, and distinguish yourself from commodity-based, and AI offerings.

Join me to discover how IPS can help you connect more deeply with your clients, build a sustainable business, and have your clients raving about, and sharing, their experience with you.

Tracy Allard is a self-described escapee from the corporate world who traded an international sales management career for photography after accepting an early retirement package in 2013. What began as a long-dormant creative interest quickly became a full-time pursuit, leading to the launch of Penny Whistle Photography in Carrollton, Texas. Now celebrating 10 years in business, Tracy serves the greater Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex with family, high school senior, pet, equine, and branding photography, along with corporate headshots and commercial imagery.

Tracy earned her Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation in 2018 and her Master of Photography degree in 2023, and Photographic Craftsman in 2025. Her work has been recognized at the local, state, and international levels - including a Gold Medal at IPC and a top-three finish in the international Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year competition. A native of New Hampshire and lifelong animal lover, Tracy grew up surrounded by an eclectic mix of animals and continues that tradition today with a rotating cast of dogs and foster pets. She proudly donates her time and talent to DFW animal shelters, rescue groups, and her local Special Olympics chapter.

*** This event is for Dallas PPA members ONLY ***

Registration closes on May15th

REGISTER NOW

Monthly Meeting: Master the Art of Photoshop Painting With Sandra Pearce (June 09, 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

June Meeting

Master the Art of Photoshop Painting With Sandra Pearce

Step into the world of digital art with a workshop designed to make the process approachable, inspiring, and immediately useful. Whether you're curious about getting started or looking to strengthen your current skills, this hands-on experience will guide you through the digital workflow in a way that feels natural and creative - not technical and overwhelming.

With over 18 years of experience as a digital artist and a background rooted in professional photography and fine art, Sandra brings a unique perspective that bridges traditional artistry with modern tools. This is not just about learning software -- it's about learning how to see, create and elevate your work in a digital space. You will leave not only with new skills, but with a fresh sense of confidence and direction in your artistic journey.

Sandra is an accomplished digital artist and educator based in Okeechobee, Florida. She has over 18 years of experience in digital art and teaching. She blends artistic vision with technical expertise while teaching how to blend photography into art pieces. As an instructor Sandra is passionate about helping others transition into and grow within the world of digital art. She works with artists of all levels, from beginners to advanced creatives. You will learn the tools In Photoshop that will be used for digital art as well as every day retouching. Sandra holds a Master of Electronic Imaging, Master Photographer, the Image Excellence Degree, and is a Certified Professional Photographer. Sandra has numerous awards: Two World Cups, Numerous Florida Photographer of the Year, Kodak, Canon, ASP Medallion Awards, Numerous Florida Artist of the Year.

Just a little history. I was the original Photoshop Painter that started PS Painting in PPA. I was told you couldn't paint in PS only Corel Painter. Many yeaS later here we are enjoying painting in Photoshop. Determination ---- not giving up in the rough patches !!

Pre-Meeting Event: TBD

Separate registration is NOT required for this pre-meeting event. Anyone registered for the monthly meeting can come in early and take advantage of this learning opportunity.

DPPA Workshop: Master the Art of Photoshop Painting With Sandra Pearce (June 10, 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Dallas PPA Workshop

Master the Art of Photoshop Painting With Sandra Pearce

Members should attend because:

It removes the mystery from digital tools and makes them practical and usable
It builds on skills you already have as an artist .
It offers personal guidance in a supportive, group environment .
It provides techniques you can immediately apply to your work

Most importantly, it opens the door to new creative possibilities without replacing your existing style -- it will enhance it.

What you will need:

Computer loaded with Photoshop
Tablet - Wacom , Xenselabs or whatever you are using (have drivers loaded)

Monthly Meeting: Story Telling and Set Building with Heather Harvey (July 14, 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

July Meeting

Story Telling and Set Building with Heather Harvey

Ignite your creativity in set building and storytelling portraits. Dive into the art of crafting compelling visual tales, as you learn to construct imaginative sets that breathe life into your narratives. Heather guides you through every step, from conceptualizing themes and ideas to physically assembling set pieces that enhance your story.

Heather will share finding or creating unique backdrops, props, and lighting setups, building a narrative around each subject. Heather also delves into the art of wardrobe and costume making, transforming attire into powerful storytelling tools that resonate with each narrative. Join Heather on this creative journey and elevate your storytelling photography to new heights.

Specialties: Prop Building and Costume Design

Heather Harvey, M.Photog., M.Artist, Cr., is a Master Photographer, Master Artist, and Photographic Craftsman based in Arlington, Texas. As the owner of Heather Harvey Photography in the DFW Metroplex, she is known for her emotive portraiture, creative storytelling, and her ability to transform simple ideas into powerful visual narratives.

Heather is especially known for building imaginative sets and creating concept-driven portraits that bring stories to life. Combining thoughtful lighting, handcrafted environments, and genuine human connection, she creates images that feel both authentic and artistically compelling.

As an educator, Heather is passionate about helping photographers strengthen their creativity, build impactful sets, and elevate the stories they tell through their images.

Beyond the camera, Heather is deeply invested in the photography community. She serves on the boards of the Fort Worth Professional Photographers Association and Texas Professional Photographers of America, where she actively supports education, mentorship, and professional growth for photographers.

Pre-Meeting Event: TBD

Separate registration is NOT required for this pre-meeting event. Anyone registered for the monthly meeting can come in early and take advantage of this learning opportunity.

Photoshop Basics to Brilliance with Unmesh Dinda, PiXimperfect (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Dallas Photography Summit

presents

Photoshop Basics to Brilliance

featuring Unmesh Dinda, PiXimperfect

Take your Photoshop skills from foundational to professional in this immersive two-day workshop led by one of the most trusted educators in the creative world.

This hands-on experience is designed for photographers and visual creators who want to move beyond button pushing and truly understand how Photoshop works. You will learn not just how to achieve specific looks, but why the tools and techniques work, so you can adapt them to your own creative style and real-world workflow.

This isn't just another workshop you watch. Here, you do

Follow along step by step in a classroom setup.
Designed for beginners & intermediates.
Create real projects with a guided class.
Master the concepts, make Photoshop your own.

Whether you are new to Photoshop or self-taught and looking to fill in the gaps, this workshop will help you build confidence, consistency, and creative control in your post-processing.

Come ready to learn, ask questions, and leave with tools and techniques you can use immediately in your own work.

Unmesh Dinda is an internationally recognized Photoshop educator and the founder of PiXimperfect, one of the most respected Photoshop education platforms in the world.

With millions of subscribers and viewers across YouTube and social media, Unmesh is known for his clear teaching style, deep technical knowledge, and ability to make complex Photoshop concepts feel simple and approachable. His philosophy centers on understanding how Photoshop works at a fundamental level, empowering creatives to move beyond step-by-step tutorials and develop true creative problem-solving skills.

Unmesh’s work has inspired photographers, designers, and retouchers around the globe to improve their editing workflows, elevate the quality of their images, and gain confidence in post-production. His tutorials are widely regarded for blending technical precision with practical, real-world application, making them valuable for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

Through PiXimperfect, Unmesh has built a global community of creatives who share a passion for learning, growth, and mastering the craft of visual storytelling. His mission is simple: to help artists not just use Photoshop but truly understand it.

Member price ~~$499~~ Spring Special $349

Non-member price ~~$499~~ Spring Special $449

REGISTER HERE

Not a Dallas PPA Member?

Join today and save

WHEN

August 8th & 9th, 2026

WHERE

Grapevine Convention Center at

1209 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051

Refund Policy

The event fee is non-refundable after July 8th, 2026.

A refund will be issued in the manner in which the

original payment was made.

The event is brought to you by the Dallas Professional Photographers Association and is open to both members and non-members.

Dallas PPA upcoming events

Member Meet-Up: UT Southwestern Rookery (May 09, 2026)

Monthly Meeting: Moments in Time with Kevin Jairaj (May 12, 2026)

(New Member Orientation (ZOOM) (May 13, 2026)

M2M Program: From File Dump to Full Service: The Power of In Person Sales (IPS) with Tracy Allard (May 16, 2026)

Monthly Meeting: Master the Art of Photoshop Painting With Sandra Pearce (June 09, 2026)

DPPA Workshop: Master the Art of Photoshop Painting With Sandra Pearce (June 10, 2026)

Monthly Meeting: Story Telling and Set Building with Heather Harvey (July 14, 2026)

Photoshop Basics to Brilliance with Unmesh Dinda, PiXimperfect (August 08, 2026)

This is a PPA Continuing Education program