WPPA Connection 2026
REGISTRATION FOR WPPA CONNECTION 2026 IS NOW OPEN!
Dates: March 20-23rd, 2026
Venue: Ramkota Hotel, Casper, Wyoming
Hosted by: Wyoming Professional Photographers Association (WPPA)
What it is
Connection is WPPA’s annual, multi-day gathering where photographers learn from industry pros, compete in our juried photo competition, celebrate at the awards banquet, and connect with friends old and new. Whether you’re polishing your craft or just starting out, you’ll find practical education, community, and fresh inspiration.
What to expect
- Education you can put to work right away
- Our annual photo competition and image critique
- A formal awards ceremony and banquet
- Networking, portfolio talk, and plenty of laughs
Faculty Session Spotlight
Karen McCall , M. Photog, M. Artist, Cr, CPP
Karen resides in Massachusetts with her husband, 2 sons and golden doodle. She is a lover of humor, quirkiness and most definitely animals.
After college she worked in an investment firm and realized quickly that was not where she HS seniors belonged! For over 35 years she has run a successful portrait studio specializing
In 2016 she started painting and her world changed. Karen earned her artist degree 3 years later in 2019. That year she was honored with her first Northeast District Award, State Elite Award, 2 GIA nominations and diamond status.
There are too many awards to mention but a few highlights are: ASP State Elite Award 7 years running, Team USA Diamond and double diamond status through PPA, IPC platinum, Image Excellence medallion with 2 bars, ASP Photographic Artistry medallion, ASP district Award 2019, 2025. But her most cherished award is the 2 inch pewter cup that was presented to her
for her first speaking engagement in 2021. After all it is NOT about the trophies and competing against others, to Karen it is about competing against herself, continued growth and paying it forward.
Karen is most proud of her 2 sons and sharing her knowledge through private mentoring and courses offered through her educational site.
Karen's Friday PPA EDU Class: Photoshop Painting from Drag to Fab
David Downs M. Photog, Cr, CPP
As owner of David Downs Photography and co-owner of Benton Downs Photography, he creates award-winning portraits, commercial imagery, and fine art, while leading national and international travel photography workshops with over 300 alumni. An experienced speaker at state and local guild conferences, David presents on topics ranging from crafting competitive, merit-worthy images and selling fine art, to finding the “artist within,” marketing your work, breaking into galleries, publishing photography books, and mastering travel photography. His engaging, practical style inspires photographers to elevate both their craft and their creative voice.
Printing, Pricing & Platforms: How To Sell Your Art
This three-hour program helps photographers move beyond creating beautiful images and into the practical realities of presenting, printing, and selling their work. It blends the creative mindset of the artist with the structured thinking of a businessperson, showing how to translate personal passion into a sustainable, profitable practice. The approach is pragmatic and conversational — built on the belief that there’s no single formula for success, only processes that can be mastered and adapted. Attendees leave understanding not just how to sell, but why specific decisions matter in the journey from camera to collector
Jenni Knezovich, M. Photog., Cr., CPP
Jenni has been provided photography to Southwest Wyoming for 3 decades. From commercial headshots to weddings, she's photographed almost everything under the sun. Finding her rhythm in high volume, she's photographed high school sports, city leagues, pre schools, corporate parties and dance companies. Turning high volume in her store front studio's main stream of revenue led to implementing several new programs, products and opportunities within her area.
How to Slay High Volume
After 15 years of maintaining multiple high-volume contracts and school districts at the same time, Jenni is sharing that information with others to keep those high volume jobs in the hands of other local small business owners.
Corey McDonald, M. Photog., M. Artist, Cr., CPP, AIM
Currently based out of south Alabama, Corey specializes in High School Seniors, Families, Children, and Headshots. He loves the outdoors when it’s in Alabama, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Texas, snow, negative temperatures, and doesn’t care what horror stories anyone has about it.
The Art of Composites
Join Corey in learning how to create epic sports artwork. Learn how to light, pose, photograph, and use Photoshop to enhance your subject and create something unique for your next teen, senior, or professional athlete. We’ll use dodging and burning techniques, custom-made brushes, blending modes, and simple tips and tricks that make big differences in your composite art.
Jeahn Laffitte, Award-Winning Photographer, PPA Educator
Jeahn Laffitte is a commercial photographer and educator based in Wyoming with a passion for helping photographers finally get lighting. As the founder of Luma University, his tutorials and classes have reached photographers around the world, known for turning complex lighting concepts into simple, real-world lessons that stick.
Specializing in headshots, beauty, and product photography, Jeahn has partnered with brands like Westcott, Tether Tools, Studio Titan America, and Elixxier Software. He also serves on the board of the Wyoming Professional Photographers Association. A husband and dad of three, Jeahn brings humor, clarity, and genuine enthusiasm to every class—making lighting both approachable and fun to learn.
Light in Motion: The Art of Blending Light, Time, and Emotion
Learn to capture movement, mood, and magic in a single frame. In this class, you’ll master the craft of mixing constant light with strobes to create bold, dynamic imagery. We’ll explore the concept, execution, and setup of vibrant mixed lighting scenes—combining RGB constant lights with gelled strobes and grids for maximum impact.
You’ll learn how to paint with light, balance exposures across multiple sources, and freeze or blur motion with intention. From light painting to stroboscopic sequencing, every technique is designed to help you tell richer visual stories that feel alive.
By the end, you’ll create stunning, energetic images that blend color, motion, and story and you’ll see that light isn’t just something to control, it’s something to conduct.
Tickets Explained
As you're registering, you'll notice a number of different ticket options. Don't worry, they're pretty straightforward.
- Friday PPA EDU Pre-con Class Ticket: Karen McCall Photoshop Painting From Drab to Fab ($109): Pre-convention PPA EDU class full-day ticket. Not included in Connection full-access ticket and MUST be purchased separately to register for the Friday pre-con class.
- Member Full-Access Connection Ticket ($195): Full access 3-day 2026 Connection ticket for WPPA members. Your conference meals included, but guest meals must be purchased separately. DOES NOT include access to Karen McCall Photoshop Painting From Drab to Fab Pre-Con PPA EDU class (must be purchased separately).
- Non-Member Ticket ($390): Full access 3-day 2026 Connection ticket for non-WPPA members. Includes full 1-year trial membership ($90 value).
- Buddy Pass ($85): Want to bring a buddy, friend, pal, or emotional support person to Connection? Add this to your registration before checkout. This ticket gives your buddy full 3-day access to Connection classes, but it has to be their FIRST TIME at Connection. Meals included. Pre-con PPA EDU class not included.
- Student Full-Access Ticket ($105): Full access 3-day 2026 Connection ticket for WPPA Student Members. Includes all Connection classes. Pre-con PPA EDU class not included (purchase separately). Must be a registered WPPA Student Member. Full-time students aspiring to be professional photographers can become a Student Member ($65) HERE.
- Guest Meal Ticket Lunch ($20): Bring someone to lunch. This ticket gives you one (1) additional lunch meal for a guest.
- Guest Meal Ticket Banquet ($35): Get dressed in something nice, share your awards success, and enjoy our formal banquet with a friend or partner. This ticket gives you one (1) additional banquet meal for a guest.
SAVE by becoming a member!
Want to save a little more on your registration this year as a non-member? Click HERE to become either a First Year Trial Member ($90) or a Full Access Member ($115) prior to Connection and save an additional $50-$75 by purchasing a Member Ticket.
BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM AND CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS
BOOK YOUR ROOM NOW: We recommend making a hotel reservation ASAP if you plan on staying at the on-site at the Ramkota. Spring is a busy time, and we've only got a number of rooms under our WPPA room block. To make a reservation, you can either contact the Casper Ramkota at 307-266-6000 and let them know you're with the WPPA room block, or click this link to make a reservation online (remember to adjust your stay dates accordingly)!
REACH OUT: Questions, comments, quirky snack recipes for a movie night if we're snowed in again (kidding, that definitely, almost certainly, would never ever happen)? Send us an e-mail at [email protected] and we'll get back to you with some answers and a solid hot chocolate recipe of our own.
See you all soon!
- Your 2025/2026 WPPA Board of Directors
Tickets
$109.00 Friday Pre-Con PPA EDU: Karen McCall Photoshop Painting from Drab to Fab (purchased separately)
$195.00 WPPA Member Full-Access Connection Ticket (pre-con PPA EDU class purchased separately)
$390.00 Non-Member Full-Access Ticket
$105.00 Student Full-Access Ticket
$85.00 Member Buddy Pass (bring a friend!)
$20.00 Guest Meal Ticket (LUNCH)
$35.00 Guest Meal Ticket (BANQUET)
$0.00 Presenting Faculty
