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

PROGRAM: 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.

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

PROGRAM: 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!

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

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

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

Program: 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.  

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

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

Program: 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. 

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