Join us for dinner, great conversation, and networking at The Black Label Tavern in Livonia before Monday’s class!
Everyone is welcome to attend this casual meet-up. Planning to join us for the class afterward? Be sure to register in advance.
The class will be held nearby at PROCAM Detroit.
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.
Register early as space is limited.
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
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:
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!
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:
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, 2026Duration: 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): $100Early Bird (July 29 – August 28): $100Regular Registration (August 29 – September 18): $115
Non-Member RegistrationEarly Bird (July 29 – August 28): $140Regular 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.
Made of Memorybright
Light to Layer: Foundations of Artistic VisionLearning 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.
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
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.
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:
Members (DPPA & PPofM must register as DPPA members)
Non-Members:
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!
