Article
Building a career in professional photography takes talent, an eye for artistry, technical skills, and business know-how. However, none of these factors matter if you don’t have the confidence to take the next step for your business–or even get started.
This January at Imaging USA 2027, PPA is thrilled to welcome Tyler Gillum, head coach of the Savannah Bananas, as our Opening Keynote speaker. As a coach, educator, and entrepreneur, Tyler has inspired over a million people to reach their full potential by blending lessons from sports with business strategies.
Be sure to join us on Sunday, January 31 at 10 am in the Crown Ballroom, Meeting Level, for Tyler’s keynote, “Bet On Yourself.”
About Tyler Gillum
From growing up on the rodeo circuit to becoming the head coach of the Savannah Bananas, Tyler’s story is one of resilience, vision, and servant leadership. Tyler’s college baseball coaching career spanned from 2010 to 2022, during which he developed championship teams. His philosophy was simple yet profound: coach the person first, then the player.
Tyler became the head coach of the Savannah Bananas in 2018. Here, he’s worked alongside owner Jesse Cole to develop a new sport called Banana Ball, a unique brand of baseball designed to engage fans like never before with an electrifying style of play. The combination of being “Fans First,” having fun, and developing players has led to Championships, Hall of Fame inductions, and playing in America’s biggest stadiums.
Now, Tyler is focused on taking this impact to the next level by sharing proven philosophies, strategies, and lessons that build championship cultures. In the world of business, as in sports, Tyler teaches that the key to success is not just in what you achieve, but in how you uplift others along the way.
What You’ll Learn from Tyler’s Presentation
Tyler’s keynote covers the mindset that separates high achievers from the rest. His engaging presentation will cover:
- The importance of personal accountability
- The payoff of calculated risk-taking
- What you can achieve with unwavering self-belief
While you may not draw an immediate connection between building your photography career and championship sports (unless you work in sports photography, of course!), the fundamentals of success are more similar than you might think. A photographer looking to improve their images and an athlete practicing to win their game have the same ultimate goal–to do what they love for a living and to create an excellent experience for their client or fan.
Join Tyler Gillum at Imaging USA 2027
Tyler’s keynote is open to all attendees! With an All-Access or free Expo Plus pass, be there to kick off the conference and hear from Tyler about how you can start setting big goals and pursue them relentlessly.
