Maine Professional Photographers Association
Connect. Learn. Grow.


Mark your calendars!

Most of our programs are FREE for MPPA members including Convention (1 and 2 day workshops excluded). Non-members are welcome to attend. Simply register online. Join the MPPA and enjoy the many benefits of membership!

We hope to welcome you at our next event!

Upcoming monthly programs & events

    • February 25, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Online Via ZOOM
    • 89
    Register


    Program Description: 

    Soon, our 2025 MPPA Image competition will be upon us!  Are you ready?  Would you like some feedback on your images?  Join us in our upcoming image critique night.  Send your own images or, if you prefer,  just listen and learn from other's images.  We'll have 3 Judges - Natalie Breton, Dean Bugaj and James Flaschbart. 

    Please email "Info@maineppa.com" up to 4 images with the following naming convention and maximum dimensions by Saturday, February 22:

      • YourName-1-ImageTitle.jpg
      • YourName-2-ImageTitle.jpg
      • YourName-3-ImageTitle.jpg
      • YourName-4-ImageTitle.jpg
    • The #'s in the name denote which image is most critical to you for feedback.  This allows us to critique everyone's 1's, then the 2's and so on.  If we have time to critique all images, we will!  If we run out of time, the most critical to you will be critiqued.
    • Maximum dimension is 4000 pixels on the longest side saved with JPG quality of 10, which is consistent with our standard print competition rules.

    The Critique will be recorded:  

    For those who register, we will be recording the critiques and it will be made available for a full 30 days after the date of the critique. So, if you cannot attend 'in person' via Zoom, please register and you can watch it until March 29th.

    • March 07, 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Gray Public Library, 5 Hancock Street, Gray
    • 20
    Register


    About this class:

    The business side of being self employed isn't glamorous but it's a necessity for success. Figuring out Pricing your Services, Cost of Doing Business, Financial Goals for your business, and factoring in all your personal finances is a daunting task. We've got a spreadsheet for that! (I told you it wasn't glamorous.)

    Brittany has used this method of operating a full year ahead & spreadsheet to know exactly when to drop the day job and dive head first into being a full time business owner. It also helped her, 7 years after going full time, make it through the COVID shutdown with very little impact to business and personal finances. In Brittany's "Business Bootcamp" class you'll get all the tools you need to understand all the numbers to make your business & life tick - if you put in the hard work.

    It's the million dollar question asked on national forums: "How do I know when it's time to go full time?" Whether you're just starting out, thinking about when is the right time to leave the "day job", or a seasoned professional looking to really dial finances in for your business, this class will have something for you. 

    Grab your favorite caffeinated beverage (or two) and prepare to take a deep dive into your finances to set yourself up for success.

    Special note: There will be some homework before the class! You'll be given a list of information about your business & personal finances you'll need to have on hand the day of. NONE of that will be shared with the class publicly. During class you'll be given a copy of the spreadsheets Brittany uses (excel & numbers versions) and all the hands on help to figure out all the info you need to be able to price yourself for profit! Bring your computer, info and caffeine!


    About Brittany:

    Brittany is the owner and lead photographer of Two Adventurous Souls - a wife and husband photography team. Some would say she’s the cuter half of the team.

    A graduate of art school with a focus on graphic design and photography, Brittany has been working as a wedding & family photographer for 16 years, 11 of those full time, while raising two kids, several cats, and recently a new puppy. Brittany’s work has been published in local, national and international publications as well as winning awards & Merits through the Maine PPA and Wedding Photojournalists Association.

    Brittany has always had a passion for art and photography growing up with a hobbyist photographer father and a mother who is renowned through New England for her quilting skills. Both instilled in her a sense of wonder and desire for travel, a strict work ethic but also a practical sense of running a business. While art school helped her be more creative and spend her days daydreaming, her parents helped her have a practical approach as well. Instilling in her very early the ideas of budgets, projections, and creating a safety net to become successful - something that helped their business survive the COVID-19 shutdowns and come back even stronger on the other side.

    She’s taken her passion and turned it into a career and helping others achieve the same through teaching classes, 1 on 1 mentoring, and consulting for other businesses throughout the wedding industry. Brittany has served on the Maine PPA board working her way up to President, has served on the council for the PPA, and was the First President of the NACE Maine Chapter - the local chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events.


    • March 29, 2025
    • 9:30 AM
    • Smitty's Cinema Topsham, 65 Topsham Fair Mall Rd, Topsham, ME 04086
    Register


    Join us IN PERSON for 2025 Image Competition Watch Party (Club 79) at Smitty's Cinema in Topsham!

    SEE YOUR PHOTOS ON THE BIG SCREEN! Stuff your face with food and full bar menu! Yell at the screen when the judges don't merit the image! Let's have some fun together! Did we mention that there's an arcade available during lunch as well?

    Please register so we can plan ahead! See you all soon!

    • March 29, 2025
    • 10:00 AM
    • Online + Smitty's Cinema Topsham
    Register


    2025 Maine PPA Photographic Image Competition

    Why participate? You’re good at what you do, and we know it. Don’t wait for others to realize it on their own - go for it!

    Participating in MPPA’s annual image competition gives you the opportunity to show your work. It also provides an opportunity to get better at what you do. After all, the critiques that are given offer ways to improve your images. You’ll walk away filled with ideas and inspiration to fuel your creative soul. Below are some helpful links to help you get started.


    Submit your images at printcompetition.com.


    • Any photographer may enter the competition for image judging and scoring.
    • Dues must be paid in full by Monday, March 24th, 2025 11:59 PM Eastern to be considered for member awards.
    • Entries must be registered and uploaded NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM Eastern Thursday, March 27th, 2025.
    • UNLIMITED entries are allowed per person. Albums count as one entry, allowed up to 2 albums. 
    • Entries for the Creative Challenge category are free for members and can be submitted by emailing them to info@maineppa.com with the subject “Creative Challenge 2025”. Entries are due by 08:00 AM Eastern on Saturday, March 22nd. 
    • Creative Challenge prompt for 2025 is: "Texture"
    Entry Fees per image/album:
    $12 MPPA members
    $15 Public
    Review the complete 2025 Rules here.


     JUDGING WILL BE DONE REMOTELY ON SATURDAY, MARCH 29th, 2025 AT 10AM

     Stream the competition on the Print Competition Game Day app:

    http://printcompetition.com/event/gameday

    OR IN PERSON ON THE BIG SCREEN at Smitty's Cinema in Topsham


    Please contact Allen Small at allen@flutterfocus.com with any questions. 


    • April 25, 2025
    • 2:00 PM
    • April 28, 2025
    • 5:00 PM
    • Hilton Garden Inn Freeport, 5 Park St, Freeport, ME 04032
    • 60
    Register


    Join us for 3 days (and 1 BONUS day) of fun, education, and networking!

    Registration includes classes (except Bonus day) and welcome/after parties. Attendees earn 1 PPA Merit

    Learn more here: https://maineppa.com/convention

    OVER $1,750 VALUE!

    $199 Early Bird Public Pricing until January 31

    Convention tickets included with MPPA Membership!


    FRIDAY, APRIL 25

    2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

    Social Media Bootcamp 


    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Dinner on your own


    9:00 pm - 11:00 pm

    Welcome Party at Hotel Suite TBA


    SATURDAY, APRIL 26

    9:00 am - 9:30 am

    MPPA Annual Meeting


    9:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Barbara Peacock

    Creating Your Passion Project


    12:00 - 2:00 pm

    Lunch


    2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

    Barbara Peacock

    Marketing + Publishing Your Passion Project


    6:00 pm

    Convention & Speakers Group Photo


    6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

    MainePPA Award Ceremony & Banquet with DJ Rob Burnell

    $TBA


    9:30 pm - 11:00 pm 

    After Party at Hotel Suite TBA


    SUNDAY, APRIL 27

    10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Mandy Wright

    Destination Weddings


    12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    Lunch


    2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

    Lindsay Adler

    Posing to Flatter Everyone


    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Dinner on your own


    9:00 pm - 11:00 pm

    After Party at Hotel Suite TBA


    BONUS DAY

    MONDAY, APRIL 28

    9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Chris Knight

    Color: Directing the Eye & Influencing People

    + The Psychology of the Portrait

    MPPA $249 / PPA $299 / PUBLIC $399

    (PPA Merit Class)

    Lunch Buffet Included

    • April 28, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • Hilton Garden Inn Freeport, 5 Park St, Freeport, ME 04032
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Color: Directing the Eye and Influencing People

    Color is one of the most important elements in photography. As it’s been said, “It’s easier to make color look good, but harder to make it service the story.” In this class, Chris explores color from hue, saturation, and luminosity to harmonies, discordance, why we feel certain ways about color and where that comes from. He demonstrates how color helps tell your story and how to create and use it in a variety of ways. Color strengthens, binds, and elevates imagery - after this class, you’ll be able to harness it more effectively in your own work.

    The Psychology of the Portrait

    If you think that a portrait is primarily about lighting and apertures, then you are missing out what makes a portrait truly great! Join Chris Knight in a deep dive into the powerful interplay of the psychological and technical elements of portraiture that can help your images be more than skin deep. You’ll learn how to find the best angle, optimal lens choice, top posing tips, the power of composition, wardrobe guidelines, and (of course) lighting. Whether working with streamlined, 'beginner' gear on location or a studio packed with professional gear, this class will help you improve how you think about and execute your portrait work.


    ABOUT CHRIS KNIGHT:

    Chris Knight was born in Wiesbaden, Germany and hardened by the sweaty, nearly chewable, humidity of Florida. He combines his unconditional love of art history with his conditional love of technology, topping it off with a flair for the cinematic and an uncompromising eye for detail.

    His work has appeared in or on Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, L Official, GQ, People, MSNBC, ABC, Oxygen, Ocean Drive, and others.

    Chris is the author of The Dramatic Portrait, a Profoto Legend of Light, Fujifilm Creator, and an instructor at Pratt Institute as well as the New York Film Academy.

    https://www.chrisknightphoto.com/

Past events

January 30, 2025 Beyond the Snapshot - Getting the Most from your iPhone Camera
January 09, 2025 Understanding Merits, Degrees, Image Competition, and More!
December 08, 2024 Moving to Manual Workshop
December 07, 2024 Christmas Party & Photographer Meet + Greet
September 19, 2024 MPPA Goes to College: A Meet and Greet for Students and Pros
August 23, 2024 Lights, Camera, Create Photo Challenge
June 27, 2024 Photoshop Composites 101 with Natalie Breton
May 24, 2024 Photographer Meet & Greet - Midcoast
April 22, 2024 Bonus Day | Dynamic Product Photography with Bryan Rowe
April 20, 2024 Awards Banquet & Dance Party
April 19, 2024 74th Annual Maine Photographic Convention
March 30, 2024 In Person Sales with Robert Akers M.Photog,Cr,CPP
March 16, 2024 75th Maine PPA Photographic Image Competition
February 15, 2024 Annual Image Critique
November 25, 2023 Photographer Holiday Meet & Greet - Augusta Area
November 10, 2023 Workshop - Layered: Dissecting the Art of Composite Photography with Shannon Squires
October 09, 2023 Workshop - Wedding Lighting, Start to Finish
September 24, 2023 Creative Elements for Composition 101
August 10, 2023 Wedding Timeline Building
July 20, 2023 MPPA Membership & You!
June 25, 2023 Photographer Meet & Greet + Axe Throwing - Bangor Area
May 01, 2023 Bonus Day | Shawn Black: The Business of Boudoir
April 29, 2023 Awards Banquet & Party
April 28, 2023 73rd Annual Maine Photographic Convention
April 04, 2023 Taking Off With Drone Photography
March 31, 2023 74th Maine PPA Photographic Image Competition
March 09, 2023 Live Music Photography
February 23, 2023 Annual Image Critique
February 18, 2023 Food Styling & Photography Workshop
November 30, 2022 Wedding Photography 101 with Chris Arson
November 22, 2022 Intro to Photoshop - Just the Basics
October 16, 2022 Equine Photography Workshop & Content Day
October 06, 2022 Advanced Composition
September 18, 2022 Fine Art Canine Portrait Course
August 21, 2022 Alphabet Photo Walk + Meet & Greet
July 26, 2022 Monthly Meeting - Master Your Digital Marketing with Chris Wooley
July 21, 2022 Workshop - Family Documentary Photography with Sarah Truman
June 23, 2022 Photo Gear Yard Sale + Meet & Greet
May 02, 2022 Bonus Day | Kimberly Smith: Finding Your Creative Vision
May 01, 2022 Awards Banquet & Masquerade Party
April 29, 2022 72nd Annual Maine Photographic Convention
March 04, 2022 MPPA Monthly Program - Image Critique Night
February 17, 2022 MPPA Monthly Program - Making Your Business Legal with Attorney, Brandon Mazer
February 06, 2022 Workshop - Roaring 20s Wedding Style Shoot with OCF Training
January 06, 2022 MPPA Monthly Program - Armando Flores - Lets Go Into The Darkness
December 09, 2021 MPPA Monthly Program - Sean Bagshaw - Next Level Landscape Image Developing With Photoshop
December 03, 2021 POSTPONED - The Mirrorless Camera with Noah from Hunts
November 16, 2021 MPPA Monthly Program - Reuben Bell: Real Maine Weddings - Get Published!
November 07, 2021 Photographer Meet & Greet - Bangor Area
September 09, 2021 1 Day Workshop - Josh Hanna - Unconventional Senior Portraits
August 17, 2021 MPPA Monthly Program - David Byrd - Discovering Creativity Through Storytelling
July 15, 2021 MPPA Monthly Program - Luciana Calvin - Set Yourself Up for Success - Get Certified!
June 29, 2021 Photographer Meet & Greet - Augusta Area
May 16, 2021 MPPA Monthly Program - Dean Bugaj - A Photo Walk Through the Land of Hobbits and Waterfalls
April 29, 2021 "People 101" with Dr. Megan Marsh of Pencil Events
March 28, 2021 MPPA Virtual Banquet - Awards Recognition
March 22, 2021 MPPA Bonus Program - Mark Mann - The Essence of a Portrait
March 19, 2021 71st Annual Maine Photographic Convention - VIRTUAL
January 28, 2021 MPPA Monthly Program - Chris Keeley - How to do In Person Sales – Virtually!
January 12, 2021 MPPA Image Critique - Rob Smith Moderator
November 12, 2020 MPPA Monthly Meeting: Judy Reinford Digital Painting: Animal Portraits
October 21, 2020 MPPA Monthly Meeting: Portrait Lighting with Nathan Tsukroff
September 24, 2020 MPPA Monthly - Josh Hanna's Modern Senior Marketing & Workflow
September 02, 2020 MPPA Monthly Meeting: Color Management- Monitors, Profiles, Color Spaces, and More! Hosted by HUNT's!
August 18, 2020 MPPA Monthly Meeting - Sports Compositing 101
July 22, 2020 MPPA Monthly Meeting - Painting with Photoshop the Sandra Way!
July 13, 2020 MPPA - Virtual Meet & Greet
June 18, 2020 MPPA Monthly Meeting - Creative Bird Photography with Ray Hennessy
May 13, 2020 MPPA Monthly Meeting - Color Grading & Light Shaping in Photoshop with Betty Wiley
May 07, 2020 MPPA Annual Meeting & Image Competition Awards
April 30, 2020 MPPA Annual Image Competition
February 28, 2020 Hunt's Annual Trade Show
January 28, 2020 MPPA Image Critique with Rob Smith
November 07, 2019 "Video 101" with Matt Stagliano of Stonetree Creative and Firelance Media
October 10, 2019 "Paws & Tot's" Workshop with Jen Hargrove
October 08, 2019 "Profitable Mini Sessions" with Jen Hargrove
September 29, 2019 Reaching New Heights with Aerial Photography by Lisa King
September 05, 2019 "Exploring the World of Possibilities within Photoshop" with Ella Carlson
August 01, 2019 "People 101" with Dr. Megan Marsh of Pencil Events
July 11, 2019 "Increase Your Wedding Sales" with Chris Keeley
June 06, 2019 "Crafting the Perfect Blog Post for SEO" with Maria Northcott
May 02, 2019 Food Photography - "Daylight Food in the Night Studio" With Mark Rockwood
April 03, 2019 Member Round-Table - Monthly Meeting
March 18, 2019 Bonus Day | Woody Walters
March 17, 2019 Awards Banquet - Banquet Only
March 15, 2019 70th Annual Maine Photographic Exposition & Convention
February 07, 2019 The Power of Prints, In Person Sales with Thomas Morelli - Monthly Meeting
January 17, 2019 Annual Print Competition Preparation - Monthly Meeting
December 06, 2018 Maternity Photography with Erin Moore - Monthly Meeting
November 08, 2018 Wedding Photography with Stephen Sedman - Monthly Meeting
October 21, 2018 Headshots & Portraits - Photo Walk-about
October 11, 2018 Astrophotography with Dean Bugaj - Monthly Meeting
September 18, 2018 Family Portraits with Kristina O'Brien - Monthly Meeting
July 19, 2018 Street Photography - Photo Walk-about
July 12, 2018 Landscape with Charlie Widdis - Monthly Meeting
June 21, 2018 Fireworks & Friends - Photo Walk-about
June 07, 2018 Senior Portraits with Jen of Darling Photography
May 22, 2018 Editing 101 with Sandra Miner
May 15, 2018 Business Bootcamp with Brittany Bugaj
May 03, 2018 On Location, Off-Camera Lighting with James Flachsbart - Monthly Meeting
April 28, 2018 Branding w/ Trish Logan
April 22, 2018 Print Competition with Lauren DelVecchio
April 22, 2018 Styling for Marketing & Instagram w/Patty Takacs
April 05, 2018 Member Meet & Greet - Monthly Meeting
April 02, 2018 Studio Lighting 101 with Robert Akers
March 19, 2018 Bonus Day | Fine Art Compositing and Business with Brooke Shaden
March 16, 2018 69th Annual Maine Photographic Exposition & Convention
February 22, 2018 Rock-Solid Lightroom Workflow
January 25, 2018 Annual Print Competition Preparation Meeting
December 13, 2017 Printing For Success
November 21, 2017 Booking - The Anti-Sales Approach
September 20, 2017 A Night of Education and Fun - Mini sessions & Non-traditional studio ideas!
September 17, 2017 Concept, from Start to Finish with Lauren DelVecchio
August 16, 2017 Email Marketing with Nicole Boucher
August 06, 2017 Headshot Day
July 19, 2017 Night Photography with Dean Bugaj
July 09, 2017 Steampunk and Parachutes with Ray Peeples
July 06, 2017 Thirsty Thursday
June 08, 2017 Thirsty Thursday
June 04, 2017 Food Photography with Jenn Bakos
May 30, 2017 Creative Portraits & Natural Light with Jen Dean
May 20, 2017 Monhegan Island Photo Adventure
May 17, 2017 Marketing to Millennials with Beth Fitzgerald
May 07, 2017 Maine Mentors | Lightroom & Photoshop with Lauren DelVecchio
May 02, 2017 Maine Mentors | Business Basics with Brittany Bugaj
April 19, 2017 Branding with Tiffany Farley
April 10, 2017 Jump Start Your Business | 3 Session Series with Trish Logan
April 09, 2017 Maine Mentors | Portfolios & Degrees with Patricia Takacs
March 28, 2017 Maine Mentors | Studio and On Location Lighting with Robert Akers
March 17, 2017 68th Annual Maine Photographic Exposition & Convention
March 16, 2017 Pre-Con | Styled Wedding Shoot with Jordan Brittley
February 16, 2017 Hitcher's Guide to Web and Social Media with Ray Peeples
January 22, 2017 Image Critique and Image Competition Preparation
December 01, 2016 Holiday Pinup with Robert Akers
November 17, 2016 Pricing Your Services with Maria Northcott
October 20, 2016 Photojournalism & Editorial Photography with Dave Dostie
September 15, 2016 Fine Art with Nylora Bruleigh
August 18, 2016 Creative Process with Jay Philbrick
July 14, 2016 Photographer’s Yardsale & BBQ
June 16, 2016 Concept Photography with Lauren DelVecchio
May 22, 2016 Maine Mentor Mini Programs
March 21, 2016 Bonus Workshop with Lou Freeman
March 18, 2016 67th Annual MPPA Convention
February 18, 2016 February 18 | Preparing Your Prints for Competition: Part II
January 21, 2016 Preparing Your Prints for Competition: Part I
© MPPA and its members | Maine Professional Photographers Association is a non-profit organization. All MPPA financial statements are available to its members upon request.
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software