News

Find Your Niche at Imaging USA!

Published: October 27, 2023

A common mistake small business owners make when starting is saying “yes” to everything. Many are afraid to “niche down” for fear of limiting their services and missing out on potential sales. It’s time to let go of this mindset that is no longer serving, realize your strengths, and see how it PAYS to have a niche. Marketing strategies provide a clear focus for the ideal target customer and a clearer pathway toward success!

 

At Imaging USA, a world-class collection of speakers has already found their niche, created successful businesses, and are now offering to share their secrets with you! Get outside your comfort zone and learn about a different niche of photography or attend a class on a subject already close to your heart! Offerings range in specialties from Pet Photography to Maternity and come in the form of Pre-Con classes and general sessions. Pre-cons take place before the main show, from Thursday to Saturday. 


Pet Photography

From Woofs to Wows: A Fetching Workshop on Pet Photography
with Lisa Asp 
Saturday, January 27
Join us for an engaging pre-convention workshop featuring Lisa Asp, the visionary force and owner of Tangerine House of Design in Minneapolis, MN, and a pet photography aficionado since 2001.

In this workshop, Lisa will peel back the curtain on her years of experience, offering valuable insights into the art of photographing our beloved four-legged family members. From mastering the art of working with both pets and their human counterparts to harnessing the power of light to bring out the best in dogs, and capturing expressions that truly resonate, Lisa will share her secrets for creating standout pet portraits.


Learn about safety measures when working with animals, delve into the nuances of posing, lighting, and lens selection, and take part in discussing dynamic editing. This seminar promises to be an enlightening experience, providing you with practical skills and a fresh perspective on pet photography.


Commercial 

Lighting Your Way to Success: The Intersection of Lighting and Business
with Jeff Carpenter
Thursday, January 25
Sponsored by Profoto

Do you want to take your photography to the next level? In this class, you will learn how to use lighting techniques to create stunning images that will attract clients and set you apart from the competition. 

Jeff will cover a wide range of topics including how to use different types of lighting equipment, how to set up a lighting studio, and how to create dynamic and engaging portraits. In addition, you will learn how to incorporate your lighting skills into your business strategy, including pricing strategies, marketing techniques, and client communication.  

 

Beyond the Plate: The Art and Business of Food Photography
with Christina Peters
Saturday, January 27
In this program, Christina will share with you several tips and tricks for landing food photography jobs along with showing you how she creates a food image from start to finish. In part one of this workshop, learn about the various food photography clients and how to get them as clients. In part two, take part in a food photography demo where Christina will cover how to photograph food for a restaurant.

 

Product Photography Tips and Tricks for Beginners
with Taylor Brumfield
Saturday, January 27
If you’re looking to get into product photography, it is a good idea to start with some fundamentals to set yourself up for success. Taylor will explain and demonstrate some of her favorite approaches to lighting, staging, and working with products. With these approaches, Taylor will show students how to build  a portfolio that can be used to create a sustainable and successful product photography business.


Maternity

The Art of Maternity Portraits
with Diana Robles
Monday, January 29
In this beginner/intermediate level class, Diana Robles will demonstrate and walk you through how she captures beautiful, timeless, works of art for her maternity clients. Learn how she utilizes simple lighting techniques, equipment, and wardrobe options to create striking images that clients love and cherish. Diana will also demonstrate a few easy ways to incorporate gels, for a fun and gorgeous twist on traditional maternity portraits. From 1, 2, &. 3 light setups and posing, to styling and workflow, you will leave her class with the knowledge and confidence to create a striking gallery for your maternity clients.

 

Family Portraits

Family Portrait Photography with Michele Celentano: Learn to Pose Like a Pro
with Michele Celentano
Saturday, January 27
Join Michele Celentano, a master of family portrait photography, for a 3-hour class that will teach you how to pose family groups with confidence and creativity. You will learn the principles of posing different body sizes and shapes, as well as how to pose groups from 2 people to 20 or more. You will also get to practice your skills with hands-on exercises and feedback from Michele. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, this class will help you take your family portrait photography to the next level.


Imaging USA also has classes on Boudoir Photography, SSE (School, School, Sports, and Events), as well as topics like Fine Art and Weddings! To browse the different niches, go to the schedule page! Pre-cons fill out fast, so make your selections soon! Register for your All-Access Pass today or get a Free Expo+ Pass to attend the conference.