2026 SPEAKER TEAM

SYNC 2026 Speakers + Programs

At SYNC, we believe continuous learning is essential for your growth. Our conference provides a unique opportunity to engage with top experts in HS Senior and Youth Sports photography. Thanks to our intimate conference size, you’ll have the chance to connect directly with these leading professionals. From mastering new techniques to refining your business strategies, you’ll gain valuable insights that set you apart. In the end, you’ll have the chance to Find Your People—the leaders and educators who will inspire and support you on your journey.

Main Stage Programs (included in all registrations)
GREEN: All conference programs
ORANGE: High School Senior photography
BLUE: Sports/Volume programs

Pre-Event Classes (additional fee)
Luminary Exchange - Thursday 2/19
Jump Start Classes - Friday 2/20 (scroll down for class info)

Additional Opportunities (included in all registrations)
SYNC has additional education that will happen in the evenings during the SYNC Lounge and during trade show hours. Plan on attending all events to get the most out of what SYNC offers.

ALL CONFERENCE PROGRAMS

ROD EVANS

AI Isn’t Coming for You—It’s Here to Empower You

Step into the future of senior and sports photography—without leaving behind your artistry. In this powerful program, Rod Evans shows how to ethically fuse traditional portrait photography with cutting-edge AI to create breathtaking, one-of-a-kind senior and sports images that feel both timeless and visionary. You’ll discover practical ways to use AI for clothing swaps, cinematic sports backgrounds, and painterly enhancements—all while maintaining authenticity, trust, and full creative control. Learn how to deliver products and experiences that stand out in a saturated market and position yourself as the go-to photographer in your community.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• AI
• Creativity
• Inspiration

EVANS PORTRAITS

MEREDITH RYNCARZ

You Don't Have to Do it All

Running a photography business often feels like juggling a hundred tasks at once: emails, contracts, editing, marketing, and somehow still finding time to create beautiful images. The truth? You don’t have to do it all.

In this class, you’ll learn how to find balance in your business by combining smart systems with modern tools, including AI. We’ll break down how to streamline your client workflows, cut down the time you spend on repetitive tasks, and free yourself up to focus on the work (and the life) you actually love

Because success isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things smarter.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• AI
• Workflow
• Business

THE RESTART SPECIALIST

JOSH RUSSEL

From Studio to Stadium: How to create powerful composite portraits in the studio.

This session is designed for senior photographers, sports and volume photographers who want to expand their offerings with bold, stadium-style composite portraits—all created in the studio. Many photographers struggle to give clients the “big game” look without access to large venues or complex setups. Josh Russell will show you how to light and pose in studio so subjects drop seamlessly into dramatic sports environments. You’ll walk away knowing how to match lighting for composites and build convincing, high-impact backgrounds—skills that let you deliver portraits that stand out and command premium pricing.

• TOPICS:
• Senior Photography
• Sports Photography
• Editing/AI

JOSH RUSSELL

SCOTT DETWEILER

WHAT THE PROMPT?

Want to actually understand how to use AI to grow your photography business — not just copy prompts off the internet? In this session, you’ll learn insider strategies from someone who works at an AI company. This isn’t another “here’s a list of prompts” workshop. I’ll show you how to think like an AI power user, equipping you with skills that go far beyond everyday prompt hacks. You’ll discover how to get AI to actually help with your marketing, branding, content, and client outreach, all in your voice, for your vision. If you want to leave SYNC with real tools, real skills, and a competitive edge most photographers haven’t even heard of yet, come ready to learn, level up, and leave ahead of the curve.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• AI
• Workflow
• Creativity

SCOTT DETWEILER PHOTOGRAPHY

DANI MACK

The Art of Creating Light (presenting with Brad Deel)

Join Dani Mack and Brad Deel for an inspiring program that connects the art of photography with the art of living. Through powerful stories, live demonstrations using Westcott lighting, and interactive audience activities, you’ll discover how mastering light behind the camera parallels finding and shaping your own inner light. This session blends technical skills with personal growth, giving you the tools to create stunning portraits while also stepping into your own brilliance. Walk away motivated, equipped, and ready to shine—in your work and your life.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Social Media / Marketing
• Lighting
• Motivation

DANI MACK PHOTOGRAPHY

BRAD DEEL

The Art of Creating Light (presenting with Dani Mack)

Join Dani Mack and Brad Deel for an inspiring program that connects the art of photography with the art of living. Through powerful stories, live demonstrations using Westcott lighting, and interactive audience activities, you’ll discover how mastering light behind the camera parallels finding and shaping your own inner light. This session blends technical skills with personal growth, giving you the tools to create stunning portraits while also stepping into your own brilliance. Walk away motivated, equipped, and ready to shine—in your work and your life.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Social Media / Marketing
• Lighting
• Motivation

BRAD DEEL PHOTOGRAPHY

ORANGE STAGE - HS SENIORS

KATIE SWATEK

Small Town, Big Impact: The Power of Personal Connection

In a world chasing reach and volume, what if the secret to sustainable success was right in your backyard? Join Katie Swatek—2025 SYNC Photographer of the Year, nationally published photographer, educator, and small-town powerhouse—for a candid, energizing session on how to build a thriving business through standout client care, strategic communication, and deeply rooted service.

Whether you're based in a tiny town or a growing city, this expanded version of Katie’s popular Small Town Big Businesstalk is designed for senior and portrait photographers who want to improve communication, client retention, and sales—without high-pressure tactics.

This is more than marketing. It’s about meaningful connection, smart systems, and showing up in a way that sets your brand apart, no matter your zip code.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Senior Photography
• Customer Service
• Business

KATIE SWATEK PHOTOGRAPHY

CARLA LYNN

Scaling Soulfully: Infusing Energy, Purpose, and Strategy into a Business that Lasts

You won’t regret spending time learning from someone who has spent over 20 years helping clients feel confident, seen, and enough. In this session, Carla Lynn will guide photographers on how to scale soulfully by bringing energy, purpose, and strategy into their business. You’ll explore ways to show up fully for your clients, create experiences that leave a lasting impact, and implement simple strategies that protect your creativity. By the end, you’ll walk away with actionable tools to elevate client experiences and a renewed perspective on how the energy and intention you bring to your work shapes both your business and the way clients see themselves.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Senior Photography
• Inspiration
• Sales

CARLA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY

BRUCE ROYAL

How to Thrive in an Overly Saturated Industry

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you will greatly benefit from this program. There are critical tools that all photographers must have to not only succeed but also to achieve longevity in their photography careers. With almost two decades in the business, I’ve not only learned but also developed skills that I’ll share to help you thrive. I look forward to seeing you at SYNC!

• TOPICS:
• Senior Photography
• Marketing
• Business

ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHY

JENNIFER DENTON

Expanding Horizons: Blending Creativity with Strategy to Grow a Modern Photography Business

This session is for senior and portrait photographers who are ready to pivot with purpose and build a business that grows with them. As the industry evolves—from shifting markets to AI-powered workflows—photographers must learn to adapt without losing their creative edge. We’ll explore how to blend artistry and strategy to generate new income, expand into fresh markets, and serve clients more intentionally. You’ll learn how to use ideas like The Satellite Studio Blueprint to grow beyond your hometown, refine and implement a hybrid sales process to increase client satisfaction and revenue, and overcome the hesitation that keeps you from acting on your best ideas. You’ll leave with a fresh perspective, real tools, and the clarity to move forward.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Senior Photography
• Business
• Sales

JENNIFER DENTON PHOTOGRAPHY

BLUE STAGE - SPORTS & VOLUME

JAMIE BOLER

Culture & Systems That Scale: Building a Volume Studio People Love

Running a high-volume studio doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or sanity. In this session, Jamie Boler of Red Elephant Studio breaks down the full volume photography system he uses from start to finish, showing how to create high-quality images while keeping things efficient, organized, and enjoyable. You’ll learn how to build a strong studio culture that attracts and retains great team members, and how to form lasting relationships with schools, sports leagues, and clients.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Volume Photography
• Systems
• Business

RED ELEPHANT STUDIO

EMILY DAVIS

The Top 5 Objections from Schools & Leagues (and How to Overcome Them with Confidence)

Booking volume photography contracts often comes down to how well you handle objections. In this session, we’ll break down the five most common concerns you’ll hear from schools and leagues—like price, existing photographer relationships, and parent complaints—and show you exactly how to reframe each one into an opportunity. You’ll learn how to ask clarifying questions to increase your strategic positioning and shift the focus from your features to the payoffs decision makers truly care about: smoother logistics, greater efficiency and happier parents. Walk away with proven approaches that turn hesitation into long-term partnerships.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Senior Photography
• Inspiration
• Sales

CLICK STUDIOS

TYE ALLEN

Custom design Team Posters & Senior Banners in real time Using AI platforms.

Tired of cookie-cutter designs that don’t reflect each team’s identity? In this live, interactive session, we’ll create customized team posters and senior banners on the spot, using ideas from the audience. Designed for high-volume photographers, this workshop focuses on how to bring individuality to every school and program—without adding time or complexity to your workflow. You’ll learn how to leverage AI-powered tools to quickly design dynamic, school-specific graphics, and walk away with strategies to streamline your banner and poster process while boosting client satisfaction. Bring your ideas—and leave with templates you can use immediately.

• TOPICS:
• Sports Photography
• AI
• Banners

TWA PHOTOGRAPHY

DON WARD

The Recipe for Impactful Sports Volume Photography

Join Don Ward of 3rd Creative as he breaks down his “recipe” for creating powerful, attention-grabbing sports volume images. This session takes you behind the scenes of his process—from choosing and shaping light to match the mood (high key, low key, or bold and colorful), to selecting equipment that makes a measurable difference in results. Don will also demonstrate the post-processing techniques that elevate his final images into professional, banner-worthy work. Perfect for photographers already shooting sports volume or those looking to refine their lighting and editing, you’ll walk away with practical tools and a clearer creative direction you can immediately apply.

TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Sports Photography
• Lighting/Posing
• Design

THIRD CREATIVE

JUMP START CLASSES

ABOUT JUMP START CLASSES

Jump Starts are all-day pre-conference classes that take place on Friday, February 20 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. They are designed to provide a deep dive into a particular topic in a smaller class size. Jump Starts have limited seating and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Jump Start classes require the main event registration and an additional fee.

DEADLINE TO ADD A JUMP START IS JANUARY 31, 2025.

Price of classes: $199 (food and drinks are on your own)

Already registered and need to add on a Jump Start class? See the What's What for information on adding a Jump Start Class or email us at you.rock@syncrocks.com for instructions.

Looking for the Luminary Exchange? Click HERE.

JUMP START ONE

LIGHTING + POSING: Hands-On Training to Transform Your Portrait Work

Step out of the classroom and into an exciting photography experience! This hands-on Jump Start is designed for portrait photographers who want to master lighting and posing across a variety of subjects, from high school seniors to athletes and more.

Join an award-winning team of mentors as you rotate through curated stations around the resort, exploring both indoor and outdoor setups. You’ll get up close with multiple lighting styles, posing techniques, and real-world demos, with time built in for shooting and experimenting under expert guidance.

Cap off the day with a group Q&A where your instructors come together to answer your biggest questions and share final tips to keep your creative momentum going.

Instructors:
Annie Marie
Craig Lee
Kristin Jones
Nathan Loker

Spots are limited! Don’t miss this dynamic way to kick off your SYNC experience with confidence behind the camera.

JUMP START TWO

DESIGN SUMMIT with Alicia Cerullo

Ready to Elevate Your Visuals? Join Alicia Cerullo for a Power-Packed Day of Creative Design + Editing!

Tired of promotional materials that don’t quite feel like you? In this session, you’ll learn the core principles of graphic design and how to apply them to create marketing materials that actually reflect your brand’s personality and purpose. We’ll explore how to use Canva to build polished, on-brand content quickly and effectively, plus how to enhance your designs using Photoshop and Illustrator for more custom graphics. Whether you’re DIY-ing your social media posts, pricing guides, or printed promos, this session will give you the tools to design with intention and confidence, no design degree required.

Seats are limited—grab yours early and start your SYNC experience with creative momentum.