Dallas PPA upcoming events

Member Meet-up: Scavenger Hunt with DPPA & FW PPA (April 11, 2026)

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Member Meet-Up

Scavenger Hunt with DPPA & FW PPA

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Scavenger Hunt with DPPA & FWPPA

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Time: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Arlington Camera, 544 W Randoll Mill Rd, Arlington, TX 76011

Cost: Free to attend but MUST REGISTER

*** This event is for Dallas PPA & Fort Worth PPA members ONLY ***

Registration closes on April 10th

REGISTER NOW

Monthly Meeting: FROM CPA TO CREATIVE: The Invisible Structure Behind Luxury with Emily Donohoe (April 14, 2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

April Meeting

FROM CPA TO CREATIVE:

The Invisible Structure Behind Luxury with Emily Donohoe

What truly creates luxury in photography?

It's not better presets. It's not more elaborate sets. And it's not simply raising your prices.

In this powerful and thought-provoking program, fine art portrait photographer and former CPA Emily Donohoe challenges the common myth that creativity and analytical thinking are at odds. Drawing from her unique journey from accounting to fine art photography, she reveals how structure - not aesthetics - is the real foundation behind sustainable, premium studios.

Attendees will discover:

• Why luxury is a structural decision, not a stylistic one • How intentional pricing and margin design protect artistic integrity • The hidden cost of underpricing time - especially in fine art and embellishment • A simple four-pillar framework for building a sustainable luxury photography business • How analytical thinking can multiply creativity rather than suppress it Through real-world insight, elevated perspective, and actionable structure, this session equips photographers of all genres and experience levels with the tools to design - not guess at - premium positioning.

This program is ideal for photographers ready to strengthen their business foundation, elevate their offerings, and build a studio that confidently supports the value of their art.

Luxury isn't a look. It's a structure. And it can be built.

Emily is the owner and creative force behind Pixels by Emily, a luxury fine art portrait studio in Mahomet, Illinois, renowned for its white-glove experience and heirloom-quality wall art. A Certified Public Accountant turned Master Photographer and Certified Professional Photographer through the Professional Photographers of America, she is currently pursuing her Craftsman Degree-further demonstrating her commitment to education, leadership, and mentorship within the industry.

Emily brings a rare blend of financial expertise, strategic business insight, and refined artistry to both her studio and the photographers she teaches. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy and spent more than a decade in public accounting before transitioning full-time into portrait artistry. Today, she specializes in museum-quality printed artwork, including hand-embellished canvases and custom-designed heirloom albums.

Her studio is guided by clearly defined client commitments centered on attention, connection, distinction, quality, and innovation.

Beyond the artwork itself, Emily is deeply passionate about using portraiture as a tool for impact and improving mental health-creating confidence-building Grace & Grit experiences for tweens and teens, and leading her current artist project, Through Purple Eyes, which honors and gives voice to individuals on the other side of domestic violence.

Pre-Meeting Event: Pull Up a Chair: The Headshot Roundtable Presented by Emily McClure

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) (April 15, 2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 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: Off Camera Flash- Nuggets and Tips with Hector Reyes (April 18, 2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Member 2 Member Program

Off Camera Flash- Nuggets and Tips with Hector Reyes

Registration opens on April 1

In this member-to-member class, Hector will demystify Off Camera Flash (OCF) and High Speed Sync (HSS).

Off Camera Flash is typically referred to when flash is used in conjunction with available light to complete the total exposure for a photograph. Modern cameras and flashes are capable of constantly communicating to deliver the correct amount of light for the correct amount of time as the sensor is being illuminated or the shutter is moving across the sensor.

Hector will discuss HSS in both manual and Through-The-Lens (TTL) modes. He'll also offer his tips/tricks his experience of the years has taught him.

Bring your HSS-capable camera/flash. Hector will bring a model.

Hector Reyes, is a well respected fashion photographer, engineer, and speaker in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Reyes holds a PPA Master Photographer Degree and has been a Platinum Award winner in the International Photographic Competition (IPC).

His work is known for being "professional", "clean" and “modern". He works with designers and brands to develop and photograph their fashion campaigns. In addition he works with many agency models to keep their portfolios up to date with images they love to show off.

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

Registration closes on April 17th

REGISTER NOW

M2M Program: Studio Lighting for Absolute Beginners – Learn by Doing with Phaneendra Gudapati (April 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Member 2 Member Program

Studio Lighting for Absolute Beginners – Learn by Doing

with Phaneendra Gudapati

Registration opens on April 15

New to studio photography? This member-to-member class is designed specifically for photographers with little to no experience using studio lights. If you've ever felt intimidated by lighting equipment or unsure where to start, this hands-on session will help you build confidence quickly in a relaxed environment.

This is a learn-by-doing class. You'll spend your time setting up lights, experimenting, and seeing results in real time — or watching and assisting fellow participants. PG will guide you throughout the class, but students will be in the driver’s seat — moving lights, testing ideas, and learning through hands-on practice.

You’ll learn:

Basic studio lighting equipment and what each piece does
How to set up your first studio light
Understanding light direction and quality
Simple one-light setups

To ensure everyone gets meaningful hands-on experience, seating is limited. This allows each participant time to work with the lights and ask questions.

No prior studio experience required — just bring your camera, curiosity, and be ready to play with light.

Phaneendra Gudapati is a portrait artist located in Plano, TX. He is inspired by classical portraiture, paintings by old masters and fashion and loves to create a fusion between fine art and fashion in his work.

PG is a self-confessed technology junkie always learning about the craft of photography. He loves to develop his imagery using various techniques to bring his artistic vision to life.

PG is recipient of PPA's Imaging Excellence award, PPA Master of Photography, Master of WPPI, PPA Photographic Craftsman, Certified Professional Photographer and Adobe Certified Photoshop Expert.

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

Registration closes on April 24th

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.

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

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 ~~$399~~ Early Bird Special $299

Non-member price ~~$499~~ Early Bird Special $399

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: Scavenger Hunt with DPPA & FW PPA (April 11, 2026)

Monthly Meeting: FROM CPA TO CREATIVE: The Invisible Structure Behind Luxury with Emily Donohoe (April 14, 2026)

New Member Orientation (ZOOM) (April 15, 2026)

M2M Program: Off Camera Flash- Nuggets and Tips with Hector Reyes (April 18, 2026)

M2M Program: Studio Lighting for Absolute Beginners – Learn by Doing with Phaneendra Gudapati (April 25, 2026)

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

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

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

This is a PPA Continuing Education program