2026 SPEAKER TEAM
Get a quick preview of the inspiring educators leading this year’s sessions. Scroll down to explore their classes in more detail—and be sure to check back often, as we’ll continue updating this page throughout the year.
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: HS Senior programs
BLUE: Sports/Volume programs
Pre-Event Classes (additional fee)
Luminary Exchange - Thursday 2/19
Jump Start Classes - Friday 2/20
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
On occasion, we will all gather together for dynamic all-conference programs and keynotes that will appeal to everyone in the audience no matter what your specialty.
JOSH RUSSELL
STAGE: All Conference Program
TOPICS:
AI
Senior Photography
Volume Sports
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Josh Russell Photography
Kaukauna, WI
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 100+
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 5+
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 11
MEREDITH RYNCARZ
PROGRAM: Coming Soon
STAGE: All conference program
TOPICS:
AI
Business
SPEAKER PROFILE:
The Restart Specialist
Richmond Hill, GA
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 50+
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: N/A
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 16
SCOTT DETWEILER
PROGRAM: Coming Soon
STAGE: All conference program
TOPICS:
AI
Creativity
Ethics
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Head of Quality Assurance at Stability.ai
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 40+
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: N/A
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 19
ROD EVANS
PROGRAM: 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.
STAGE: All conference program
TOPICS:
AI
Creativity
Photography
Inspiration
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Rod Evans is a nationally acclaimed portrait artist and educator based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For over three decades, he has created timeless, statement-size family portraits and wall art while building a reputation for blending classical artistry with modern innovation.
Today, Rod is pioneering the use of AI in professional photography through his FUZE Portraits, a process that merges traditional capture with AI-driven enhancements. Teaching photographers how to harness AI—from cinematic sports composites to realistic clothing swaps and painterly re-textures that elevate client products.
A frequent magazine contributor and sought-after speaker, Rod is recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices on AI in photography. His mission: to help photographers stand out in a competitive market by combining artistry, psychology, and cutting-edge technology.
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 50+
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: N/A
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 30
BRAD DEEL
PROGRAM: 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.
STAGE: All conference program
TOPICS:
Social Media
Lighting
Motivation
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Coming Soon
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Location Only
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 75
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 2
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 7
DANI MACK
PROGRAM: PROGRAM: 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.
STAGE: All conference program
TOPICS:
Social Media
Lighting
Motivation
Marketing
Inspiration
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Coming Soon
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Location Only
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 100
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 200
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 3
ORANGE STAGE PROGRAMS
The Orange Stage includes programming on High School Senior photography, business, sales, photoshop, and marketing. Speakers are listed alphabetically.
KATIE SWATEK
PROGRAM - 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.
You’ll walk away with actionable tools to:
• Attract the right clients—even in limited markets
• Communicate with clarity and confidence before, during, and after the session
• Turn amazing service into higher sales without ever feeling “salesy”
• Create raving fans who return, refer, and rave
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.
STAGE: Orange (HS Seniors)
TOPICS:
Senior Photography
PROFILE:
Katie Swatek Photography
Lake Andes, SD
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 65+
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 10+
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 13
CARLA LYNN
PROGRAM: Coming Soon
STAGE: Orange (HS Seniors)
TOPICS:
Senior Photography
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Carla Lynn Photography
Murfreesboro, TN
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 145 +
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 0
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 21
BRUCE ROYAL
PROGRAM: Coming Soon
STAGE: Orange (HS Seniors)
TOPICS:
Senior Photography
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Royal Photography
Ironton, OH
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 100+
ANNUAL TEAMS/LEAGUES: 10
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 17
JENNIFER DENTON
PROGRAM - 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 fresh perspective, real tools, and the clarity to move forward.
STAGE: Orange (HS Seniors)
TOPICS:
Senior Photography
Business
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Jen Denton Seniors
San Antonio, TX
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Home-Based Studio
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 80+
ANNUAL TEAMS/LEAGUES: 0
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 20
BLUE STAGE SPEAKERS
The Blue Stage includes programming on High School and Youth Sports, athletes, schools, and other types of volume photography. Speakers are listed alphabetically.
JAMIE BOLER
PROGRAM: 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.
Designed for volume photographers, this session will give you actionable tools to create an environment people want to be part of and deliver standout images, even on the most fast-paced shoot days
STAGE: Blue (Sports/Volume)
TOPICS:
Sports/Schools Volume Photography
SPEAKER PROFILE:
The Red Elephant Studio
Scottsville, KY
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 500+
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 25+
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 15
EMILY DAVIS
Program: Coming Soon
STAGE: Blue (Sports/Volume)
TOPICS:
Volume Sports
SPEAKER PROFILE:
Click Studios Texas
Krum, TX
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Retail Space (brick and mortar)
ANNUAL SESSIONS: N/A
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 175+
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 14
TYE ALLEN
Program: 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.
STAGE: Blue (Sports/Volume)
TOPICS:
Volume Sports
AI + Graphic Design
SPEAKER PROFILE:
TWA Photography
Springfield, Oregon
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Location
ANNUAL SESSIONS: N/A
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 600+
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 7
DON WARD
Program: Coming Soon
STAGE: Blue (Sports/Volume)
TOPICS:
Volume Sports
Workflow
Lighting
Graphic Design
Templates
SPEAKER PROFILE:
3rd Creative
Wichita Falls, TX
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Home-Based Studio
ANNUAL SESSIONS: 30+
ANNUAL TEAM/LEAGUES: 30+
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 10
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.
