Detroit Professional Photographers Association upcoming events

Systems That Scale: Workflows That Don’t Burn You Out (September 14, 2026)

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Systems The Scale: Workflows That Don't Burn You Out With Meredith Ryncarz

Most photographers don't fail because they can't shoot. They fail because the business behind the camera has no infrastructure. This class is built from a decade of rebuilding a photography business from the ground up, multiple times, across multiple markets, without losing quality or sanity in the process.

We'll break down the systems that separate a sustainable studio from a burnout cycle: client workflow from inquiry to delivery, the handful of processes worth documenting so they don't live only in your head, and how to build a business that can survive a move, a slow season, or a life change without falling apart. This isn't about doing more but about building the kind of structure that lets you do less, more consistently, and still deliver work you're proud of.

You'll leave with a framework for auditing your own workflow, identifying where you're the bottleneck, and a plan for what to systematize first.

Best for: Photographers who are booking clients but feel like the business is running them instead of the other way around.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops to class.

About Meredith Ryncarz

Meredith Ryncarz is a former college art professor turned destination wedding and portrait photographer, and founder of Meredith Ryncarz Photography. Her work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Forbes, The New York Times, and Southern Living, and she was named one of the top photographers in the South by South Magazine.

As a military spouse, Meredith has rebuilt her photography business from scratch multiple times over the past decade, relocating across markets while keeping her business intact. That experience became The Restart Specialist, a system for relocation and geographic growth now used by photographers rebuilding their own businesses after a move. She has since applied the same approach to a second business, Southeastern Sports Photography, extending her work into youth and team sports.

Meredith currently serves as Vice President of Florida Professional Photographers.

Don't forget about our pre-class meet-up!

Everyone is invited to join us at The Black Label Tavern Livonia for dinner, conversation, and networking before class.

Time: 4:30 PM
Location: The Black Label Tavern Livonia
Address: 34110 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150

Competition Prep Night: Image Review & Critique Party (September 23, 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Competition Prep Night: Image Review & Critique Party

Getting ready for competition? Bring your laptop and your images—yes, even the ones you’re unsure about.

Join us for an interactive image review session where a panel of PPA Master Photographers will help you evaluate, refine, and strengthen your competition entries. Whether you're selecting your final images or deciding which photographs have the most potential, you'll receive valuable feedback and insights from experienced competitors and judges.

Together, we'll explore the key elements that create an award-worthy image, including:

Impact & storytelling
Composition & design
Lighting & presentation
Technical excellence
Print and digital competition considerations
The 12 Elements of a Merit Image

This is a supportive, educational environment designed to help you gain confidence, improve your work, and submit your strongest images possible.

Bring your questions, your creativity, and your best images—we can't wait to see what you've been working on!

Forgotten Spaces: Storytelling & Long Exposure Photography Workshop (October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

On Location:

Forgotten Spaces: Storytelling & Long Exposure Photography Workshop

Step beyond the public tour and into the hidden corners of history during this exclusive 5-hour photography workshop and private tripod tour.

Hosted within the historic buildings of The Village (formerly the Traverse City State Hospital), this semi-guided experience gives photographers rare access to unrestored spaces that are seldom open to the public—including basements, attics, and the remarkable 1883 underground steam tunnel.

Working in small groups, you'll have plenty of time to explore, compose, and photograph the architectural details, textures, and atmosphere that make these forgotten spaces so captivating.

What You'll Learn
Throughout the workshop, you'll discover techniques for creating more compelling and atmospheric images, including:

Long exposure photography for creating ghostly figures and dramatic effects
Storytelling through imagery and scene creation
Composition techniques for historic and architectural environments
Using smoke and other environmental elements to enhance mood and visual impact
Tripod techniques for low-light and creative photography (tripods are highly recommended)

Whether you're passionate about architectural photography, historic preservation, fine art imagery, or simply enjoy exploring places few people ever get to see, this workshop offers a truly unique opportunity to photograph hidden spaces while expanding your creative skills.

Workshop Details
Date: October 9, 2026
Duration: 5-Hour Workshop & Private Tripod Tour
Location: The Village (Formerly the Traverse City State Hospital), Traverse City, Michigan

DPPA Member Registration
Exclusive Member Registration (Register by July 28): $100
Early Bird (July 29 – August 28): $100
Regular Registration (August 29 – September 18): $115

Non-Member Registration
Early Bird (July 29 – August 28): $140
Regular Registration (August 29 – September 18): $155

Space is Limited.

To provide a comfortable shooting environment and plenty of opportunities for hands-on instruction, attendance is limited.

A minimum enrollment is required for this workshop. If the minimum number of participants is not reached by September 18, 2026, all registered participants will receive a full refund.

Competition Prep Night: Image Review & Critique Party (October 14, 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Competition Prep Night: Image Review & Critique Party

Getting ready for competition? Bring your laptop and your images—yes, even the ones you’re unsure about.

Together, we'll explore the key elements that create an award-worthy image, including:

Impact & storytelling
Composition & design
Lighting & presentation
Technical excellence
Print and digital competition considerations
The 12 Elements of a Merit Image

This is a supportive, educational environment designed to help you gain confidence, improve your work, and submit your strongest images possible.

Bring your questions, your creativity, and your best images—we can't wait to see what you've been working on!

Evening Presentation: Light to Layer: Foundations of Artistic Vision (October 20, 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Made of Memorybright

Light to Layer: Foundations of Artistic Vision
Learning to Think Like an Artist

Many photographers and digital artists feel intimidated by traditional media, believing drawing belongs in a completely different world. In reality, some of the strongest digital artists are those who understand the physical language of light, form, and texture before ever picking up a stylus.

Here, we will bridge that gap.

We'll step away from the computer and into a relaxed, judgment-free environment where curiosity takes the place of perfection. Bring your favorite beverage, settle in, and prepare to rediscover what it means to truly see.

Beginning with nothing more than a simple circle and a piece of charcoal, we'll study how light, shadow, value, and texture transform flat shapes into convincing forms. Through guided exercises using physical objects, you'll learn to observe how light wraps around surfaces, defines dimension, and creates depth—building an understanding that translates directly into Photoshop through pressure-sensitive brushes, dodging and burning, and intentional retouching. Rather than relying on instinct or presets, you'll develop the ability to recognize the underlying structure of your subjects, giving you greater control over every creative decision. This workshop isn't about becoming a charcoal artist; it's about training your eye to think like an artist instead of simply reacting like a photographer, while building timeless artistic fundamentals that strengthen every facet of your creative outlets.

This special evening program also serves as a preview of Kenzie Hunter’s PPA Merit Class on October 21, offering attendees an opportunity to experience her teaching style and gain valuable insight before the full-day workshop.

Register early—space is limited. Advance registration and payment are required. No refunds or onsite registration will be available.

Entanglement

Soul Powered

Regret

ABOUT KENZIE HUNTER

Kenzie Hunter is a fine art portrait photographer, digital artist, and mixed-media creator whose work is shaped by a diverse background in carpentry, scenic art, theatre, set design, social work, and psychology. She brings these disciplines together to create purpose-driven artwork that explores the human experience and inspires others to think, feel, and connect.

PPA MERIT CLASS: Unconventional: Alternative Methods for Visual Creators with Kenzie Hunter, M.Photog., M.Artist. (October 21, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Reliance

PPA MERIT CLASS
Unconventional: Alternative Methods for Visual Creators
Learning to Create Like One

10 AM - 1 PM Class
1 PM - 2 PM Break for Lunch
2 PM - 6 PM Class

Most photographers learn to master the camera. Fewer learn how to transform an idea into an image that lingers in someone's mind long after they've looked away. The difference isn't found in Photoshop shortcuts or expensive props—it's found in understanding how story, light, form, and intention work together to create meaningful art.

In this workshop, we'll bridge the gap between artistic vision and practical execution.

Through storytelling, psychology, live demonstrations, and the step-by-step instruction of a fine art composite, you'll discover how to develop ideas with purpose rather than simply collecting beautiful elements. We'll explore how universal human experiences become visual narratives, how composition and perspective guide the viewer's eye, and how light, color, and form create believable worlds that invite emotional connection.

Along the way, you'll learn to photograph and build convincing composite elements, simplify complex scenes using artistic Photoshop techniques, and discover how everyday materials can become extraordinary visual tools. More importantly, you'll learn to embrace experimentation, challenge conventional approaches, and trust curiosity as an essential part of the creative process.

This workshop isn't about creating images that look like mine. It's about learning to think beyond the photograph—to create work that reflects your own experiences, your own perspective, and your own artistic voice.

Barren

Maintaining Balance

Vulnerable

ABOUT KENZIE HUNTER

Kenzie Hunter, M.Photog. M.Artist. is a fine art portrait photographer, digital artist, and mixed-media creator whose work is shaped by a diverse background in carpentry, scenic art, theatre, set design, social work, and psychology. She brings these disciplines together to create purpose-driven artwork that explores the human experience and inspires others to think, feel, and connect.

DPPA 2026 Photographic Competition (November 17, 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Every Great Competition Image Starts with the Courage to Enter.

Get those images ready, image competition is coming!! For those who have been waiting to test some images or looking to try image competition for the first time, mark this date down in your calendars, November 17th, 7:00PM.

Information you need to know:

Please view rules at www.dppa.net under Photo Competition tab
We will be using Printcompetition.com. You will need to sign up on the site if you do not have a membership with Printcompetition.com, there is a fee of $13. If you are a premium member, you are covered. Follow the instructions on the site for uploading images. Make sure to select DPPA MI, as there is a DPPA Texas site also.
Entering opens on November 1st, 2026.
No submissions will be accepted after November 16th, 5:00PM, EST, 2026.
We will follow PPA guidelines and be judged according to The 12 Elements of a PPA Merit Image: Impact, Creativity, Style, Composition, Presentation, Center of Interest, Color Balance, Lighting, Subject Matter, Technical Excellence, Technique, and Storytelling.
Registration Fees:

Members (DPPA & PPofM must register as DPPA members)

$15 per image (ten images total) for those registered by November 15th, 2026, by 6:00PM. EST
$20 per image (ten images total) for those registered on November 15th, 2026, after 6:01PM EST
DPPA members: You can upload a maximum of 10 images for judge critique/scoring. The top four scores, out of the six images you select, will be considered for DPPA awards.

Non-Members:

$20 per image (ten images total) for those registered by November 15th, 2026 by 6:00PM EST
$25 per image (ten images total) for those registered November 15th, 2026 after 6:01PM EST

Files must be sized so that the longest dimension is 4000 pixels. Each file must contain an embedded color profile of either sRGB or Adobe RGB1998 and be saved at a JPEG quality setting of 10. In most cases, the total file size should not exceed 3.5 MB. Larger files will be accepted when necessary, provided they are JPG/10.
Files are to be named by their title. No underscores or special characters. The maker's name may not appear in the title or on the image itself.
This will be a remote event. On November 18th, you will sign into Printcompetition.com, to watch the judging.

We are looking forward to another year of great images! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: mari@photographybymari.com or (248) 666-7995. Now get working on those images!

DPPA 2026 Holiday Party (December 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Celebrate Another Incredible Year of Photography, Friendship, and Creativity—Save the Date for the DPPA 2026 Annual Holiday Party!