Must-See Classes for Photographers at Imaging USA 2026

Imaging USA isn’t just a conference — it’s one of the most education-packed weeks of the year for professional photographers. Hosted by Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Imaging USA 2026 brings together thousands of photographers from every genre for five days of hands-on learning, business strategy, creative inspiration, and community.

With hundreds of classes on the schedule, figuring out what to attend can feel overwhelming. You can’t be everywhere at once — and some of the best sessions happen at the same time. That’s why we’ve pulled together this must-see guide to Imaging USA 2026 classes. Whether your focus is lighting, workflow, AI, portraits, headshots, weddings, or growing a more profitable photography business, this list highlights standout sessions worth planning your schedule around.

Use this guide to map out your week, make confident choices, and walk into Imaging USA ready to learn with intention.

Index:

• Must-See Schedule
• AI
• Business
• Boudoir
• Heashots
• Inspiration
• Lighting
• Portrait
• Real Estate
• School / Sport / Event
• Spanish
• Technique
• Wedding
• Workflow

Must-See Schedule:

THURSDAY — January 8, 2026

All-day workshops (you must pick ONE)

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

You have three speakers you’ll want to check out, all teaching full-day sessions at the same time:

Speaker	Session
John Gress	Lighting Without Limits
Dave Kalmbach	Rock-Solid Workflows for Headshot Photographers
Kira Derryberry	AI That Works for You

✅ Recommendation

• John Gress → best if lighting mastery is your priority
• Dave Kalmbach → best if headshots + workflow matter most
• Kira Derryberry → best if AI + business efficiency is a big goal

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FRIDAY — January 9, 2026

9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Full-day sessions)

You only have one target speaker today:

• ✅ Gary Hughes — MIR: Pursue Your Degree Through Image Evaluation

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SATURDAY — January 10, 2026

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

You have THREE must-see speakers, all at the same time:

Speaker	Session
Vail Fucci	From Passion to Profit
Carol DeAnda	Mastering the Chaos (hands-on)
Jonny Edward	The Art of Illumination (hands-on)

✅ Recommendation

• Want business + marketing → Vail Fucci
• Want family photography & real-world chaos → Carol DeAnda
• Want advanced lighting artistry → Jonny Edward

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Speaker	Session
Jonny Edward	The Art of Illumination (repeat)
Carol DeAnda	Mastering the Chaos (repeat)

💡 If you skipped one earlier, this is your chance to catch the other.

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SUNDAY — January 11, 2026

8:00 am – 9:30 am

• ✅ Lindsay Adler — Art of Stylized Portraiture

5:00 pm – 6:15 pm

There are three speakers you’ll want to see, all at the same time:

Speaker	Session
Myrna Daramy	Harness the Power of SEO with AI
Sophia Barrett	Resourceful & Radiant
Sandra Coan	Off-Camera Flash for Natural Light Photographers

✅ Recommendation

• SEO + AI growth → Myrna Daramy
• Creative sets & styling → Sophia Barrett
• Lighting fundamentals → Sandra Coan

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MONDAY — January 12, 2026

10:00 am – 11:30 am

• ✅ Shawn Black — Building a Brand That Stands Out Through Wall Ar

10:00 am – 11:30 am

• ✅ Juan y Agygail Padilla — Fotografía de Quinceañeras con Propósito : Quinceañera Photography with Purpose

✅ Recommendation

• Want to enhance your wall art game? → Shawn Black
• Want to learn more about Quincenñera photography? → Juan & Agygail Padilla

5:00 pm – 6:15 pm

You have FOUR must-see speakers at once:

Speaker	Session
Gary Hughes	How to Direct Headshots  and Editorial Portraits LIVE!
Vail Fucci	Fast, Flattering High-Volume Headshots
Leroy Tademy	Dramatic Sports Portraits
Teshorn Jackson	Make an Extra $5000 After Each Wedding

✅ Recommendation

• Headshot direction → Gary Hughes
• Speed + systems → Vail Fucci
• Sports portraits → Leroy Tademy
• Wedding sales → Teshorn Jackson

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TUESDAY — January 13, 2026

8:00 am – 9:30 am

• ✅ Jonathan Lee — From Front Door to Final Frame: Real Estate Photography

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Classes by topic:

AI

AI That Works for You: Supercharge Your Business with ChatGPT
Session Time: Thursday, January 8 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 4, Level M
Speaker: Kira Derryberry

Harness the Power of SEO…FINALLY with the help of AI Tools!
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom B, Level 2
Speaker: Myrna Daramy

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Business

AI That Works for You: Supercharge Your Business with ChatGPT
Session Time: Thursday, January 8 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 4, Level M
Speaker: Kira Derryberry

Art of Stylized Portraiture
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 8:00 am – 9:30 am CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom B & C, Level 2
Speaker: Lindsay Adler

From Passion to Profit: Turning Your Photography Dream into a Thriving Business
Session Time: Saturday, January 10 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 3, Level M
Speaker: Vail Fucci

Harness the Power of SEO … FINALLY, with the help of AI Tools!
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom B, Level 2
Speaker: Myrna Daramy

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Boudoir

Building a Brand That Stands Out Through Wall Art Worthy Imagery
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 10:00 am – 11:30 am CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 5, Level M
Speaker: Shawn Black

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Headshots

Fast, Flattering, and Fully Delivered: Lighting and Workflow for High-Volume Headshots
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom C, Level 2
Speaker: Vail Fucci

How to Direct Headshots and Editorial Portraits LIVE!
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom B, Level 2
Speaker: Gary Hughes

Rock-Solid Workflows for Headshot Photographers
Session Time: Thursday, January 8 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 10, Level M
Speaker: Dave Kalmbach

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Inspiration

Resourceful & Radiant: Creating Impactful Spaces Without Breaking the Bank
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom A & E, Level 2
Speaker: Sophia Barrett

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Lighting

Lighting Without Limits: A Beginner’s Guide to Flash Photography
Session Time: Thursday, January 8 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 5, Level M
Speaker: John Gress

Off-Camera Flash for Natural Light Photographers
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom B & C, Level 2
Speaker: Sandra Coan

The Art of Illumination: Layering Light, Shadow, Texture and Tone to Create Captivating Portraits
Session Time:
• Saturday, January 10 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
• Saturday, January 10 • 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Ryman Studio 12-14, Level 0
Speaker: Jonny Edward

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Portrait

Art of Stylized Portraiture
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 8:00 am – 9:30 am CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom B & C, Level 2
Speaker: Lindsay Adler

Mastering the Chaos: Live Family Session Demo
Session Time:
• Saturday, January 10 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
• Saturday, January 10 • 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Ryman Ballroom E&F, Level 0
Speaker: Carol DeAnda

The Art of Illumination: Layering Light, Shadow, Texture and Tone to Create Captivating Portraits
Session Time:
• Saturday, January 10 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
• Saturday, January 10 • 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Ryman Studio 12-14, Level 0
Speaker: Jonny Edward

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Real Estate

From Front Door to Final Frame: How to Photograph Real Estate the Right Way
Session Time: Tuesday, January 13 • 8:00 am – 9:30 am CST
Location: Delta Ballroom B, Level 2
Speaker: Jonathan Lee

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School / Sport / Event

Dramatic Sports Portraits: Light Like a Pro, Sell Like a Boss
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Davidson Ballroom North 1, Level 2
Speaker: Leroy Tademy

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Spanish

Fotografía de Quinceañeras con Propósito
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 10:00 am – 11:30 am CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom A & E, Level 2
Speakers: Juan Padilla, Abygail Padilla

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Technique

Fast, Flattering, and Fully Delivered: Lighting and Workflow for High-Volume Headshots
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom C, Level 2
Speaker: Vail Fucci

How to Direct Headshots and Editorial Portraits LIVE!
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom B, Level 2
Speaker: Gary Hughes

Lighting Without Limits: A Beginner’s Guide to Flash Photography
Session Time: Thursday, January 8 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 5, Level M
Speaker: John Gress

Make an Extra $5000 After Each Wedding
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom A & E, Level 2
Speaker: Teshorn Jackson

Mastering the Chaos: Live Family Session Demo
Session Time:
• Saturday, January 10 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
• Saturday, January 10 • 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Ryman Ballroom E&F, Level 0
Speaker: Carol DeAnda

Off-Camera Flash for Natural Light Photographers
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom B & C, Level 2
Speaker: Sandra Coan

The Art of Illumination: Layering Light, Shadow, Texture and Tone to Create Captivating Portraits
Session Time:
• Saturday, January 10 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm CST
• Saturday, January 10 • 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Ryman Studio 12-14, Level 0
Speaker: Jonny Edward

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Wedding

Make an Extra $5000 After Each Wedding
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom A & E, Level 2
Speaker: Teshorn Jackson

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Workflow

AI That Works for You: Supercharge Your Business with ChatGPT
Session Time: Thursday, January 8 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 4, Level M
Speaker: Kira Derryberry

Art of Stylized Portraiture
Session Time: Sunday, January 11 • 8:00 am – 9:30 am CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom B & C, Level 2
Speaker: Lindsay Adler

Dramatic Sports Portraits: Light Like a Pro, Sell Like a Boss
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Davidson Ballroom North 1, Level 2
Speaker: Leroy Tademy

Fast, Flattering, and Fully Delivered: Lighting and Workflow for High-Volume Headshots
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom C, Level 2
Speaker: Vail Fucci

Fotografía de Quinceañeras con Propósito
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 10:00 am – 11:30 am CST
Location: Volunteer Ballroom A & E, Level 2
Speakers: Juan Padilla, Abygail Padilla

From Front Door to Final Frame: How to Photograph Real Estate the Right Way
Session Time: Tuesday, January 13 • 8:00 am – 9:30 am CST
Location: Delta Ballroom B, Level 2
Speaker: Jonathan Lee

How to Direct Headshots and Editorial Portraits LIVE!
Session Time: Monday, January 12 • 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Location: Delta Ballroom B, Level 2
Speaker: Gary Hughes Rock-Solid Workflows for Headshot Photographers
Session Time: Thursday, January 8 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Delta Mezzanine 10, Level M
Speaker: Dave Kalmbach

Make Imaging USA 2026 Work for Your Photography Business

Imaging USA 2026 is the kind of event that can shape the direction of your business for the entire year — if you show up with a plan. From full-day deep dives and hands-on workshops to quick, high-impact sessions, the classes highlighted here represent some of the strongest educational opportunities on the schedule.

As you finalize your agenda, think about where you want your business to grow next. Do you need stronger systems? Better lighting confidence? New revenue streams? More creative inspiration? Let those goals guide your choices, and don’t forget to leave room for hallway conversations, Image Competition, and connecting with other photographers who “get it.”

And while you’re exploring the trade show, be sure to stop by the 17hats booth #209. It’s a great opportunity to see how 17hats can help you streamline your workflows, automate your client experience, and build a more organized, profitable photography business.

No matter which classes you attend, Imaging USA is about more than learning — it’s about momentum. Plan wisely, stay curious, and you’ll head home with fresh ideas, renewed confidence, and practical tools you can put to work right away.