Have you started planning your calendar for the year? We’ve got you covered with a curated list of the top photography events & workshops in 2026 that you absolutely cannot afford to miss.
We’ll keep this list updated (and plug trailers, reviews, and after movies wherever possible), so bookmark this page and stay in the loop for the latest in the world of photography.
Imaging USA (PPA) — Nashville, USA — Jan 11–13, 2026
Volume Photography Summer Camp (GotPhoto) — Louisville, USA — Jun 17–20, 2026
London Photo Video Convention & Trade Show (The Societies) — London, UK — Jan 14–17, 2026
Sugar & Kids — Ávila, Spain — Jan 27–30, 2026
Xposure — Sharjah, UAE — Jan 29–Feb 4, 2026
Hybrid Collective (Hybrid Co) — Charleston, USA — Feb 22–25, 2026
SYNC — Miramar Beach/Destin area, USA — Feb 20–23, 2026
CP+ (Camera & Photo Imaging Show) — Yokohama, Japan — Feb 26–Mar 1, 2026
Photo Forum Fest — Barcelona, Spain — Feb 18–20, 2026
WPPI — Las Vegas, USA — Mar 1–5, 2026
The Photography & Video Show — Birmingham, UK — Mar 14–17, 2026
PhotoCon Kansas City — Overland Park/KC Metro, USA — Mar 19–21, 2026
Zero Latitude Expo — Quito, Ecuador — Mar 20–21, 2026
Circulation(s) — Paris, France — Mar 21–May 17, 2026
ShutterFest — St. Louis, USA — Apr 7–9, 2026 (+ SF+ Apr 10)
The Reset Conference — Chattanooga, USA — Apr 13–14, 2026 (+ optional Apr 15)
Beyond Brilliant Retreats (Brilliance Key) — Costa Rica / Texas — Jan 11–17, Apr 26–May 2, Oct 5–9, 2026
KYOTOGRAPHIE — Kyoto, Japan — Apr 18–May 17, 2026
Photo London — London, UK — May 14–17, 2026 (VIP May 13)
Belfast Photo Festival — Belfast, Northern Ireland — Jun 4–30, 2026
Copenhagen Photo Festival — Copenhagen, Denmark — Jun 11–21, 2026
Little Rock Photo Expo (Bedford Photo Expo) — North Little Rock, USA — Jul 17–18, 2026
Les Rencontres d’Arles — Arles, France — Jul 6–Oct 4, 2026
Visa pour l’Image — Perpignan, France — Aug 29–Sep 13, 2026 (Pro Week Aug 31–Sep 5)
Paris Photo — Paris, France — Nov 12–15, 2026
Hard Copy New York (ICP) — New York City, USA — Jan 29–May 4, 2026
Martin Parr: Global Warning (Jeu de Paume) — Paris, France — Jan 30–May 24, 2026
Competitions & submission deadlines
World Press Photo Contest — Deadline: Jan 18, 2026 • Winners: Apr 9, 2026
Black Box Gallery (Trees & Water) — Deadline: Feb 11, 2026
NCOA National Photography Awards — Deadline: Mar 15, 2026
ViewPoint Gallery International Photography Competition — Deadline: Apr 15, 2026
Street Photography Barcelona Contest (“THE STREET IS ART”) — Deadline: Apr 15, 2026
Justin Benson on using Aftershoot for your Photography Business
Why Attend Photography Events and Workshops?
In a fast-evolving industry like photography, staying updated with the latest trends and techniques is a must. What better way to do so than learning from the best in the biz?
Imagine being in a room filled with photographers who have not only mastered their craft but are also eager to share their insights. It’s a melting pot of creativity and expertise!
These photography events don’t just offer a chance to learn and expand your skillset but also grant you access to a solid community for networking. Attending these events can open doors to collaborations, partnerships, and friendships that can last a lifetime.
Dates: Jan 11–13, 2026 (with pre-con classes/workshops Jan 8–10)
If you want a conference that’s equal parts education + business building + community, Imaging USA is one of the safest bets on the calendar. The main program runs Jan 11–13, with Pre-Convention classes/workshops Jan 8–10 if you want deeper, hands-on learning (and you’re okay paying extra for it).
What stands out here is how practical it is: you’ll find lots of sessions that speak directly to running a real studio—pricing, sales, client experience, marketing, workflows—without skipping the creative stuff. The expo floor is also a solid place to compare tools and build vendor relationships instead of just browsing online.
If you’re going, drop by, we’ll be at Aftershoot Booth 827. Come grab a demo, ask about workflow speed, or just chat shop—especially if you’re trying to deliver faster without flattening your style.
Convention: Jan 14–17, 2026 • Free trade show: Jan 15–17 (Thu/Fri 10:00–17:00, Sat 10:00–16:00)
This is a great UK/EU option when you want education + trade show energy without a massive, overwhelming scale.
It’s especially strong for wedding/portrait photographers and studio owners because the programming and supplier mix is geared toward real working needs: improving craft, improving business, improving systems + the kind of casual networking that happens when everyone’s in the same niche.
People also love the “all welcome” feel and the variety (talks, demos, competitions, workshops) because you can keep it light or go deep depending on what you need.
Sugar & Kids is one of the best niche events in Europe if you shoot children, family, newborn, maternity, or family storytelling and want ideas you can actually apply to client work.
The 2026 edition runs Jan 27–30 in Ávila, with a program that’s designed to feel like an experience, not just a lineup of talks: there’s a dedicated “Sugar Evolution” day (Jan 27), then Sugar & Kids Festival days (Jan 28–30) with a mix of sessions, masterclasses, networking, and on-site activities.
What people tend to love about Sugar is the balance between creative inspiration and practical business ideas. Their own programming leans into hands-on value: an open-day format with shootings, a strong commercial zone for tools/products, and plenty of time carved out for networking (which matters a lot in this niche because the best ideas often come from talking shop with other family photographers).
If you’re attending this year because you want new portfolio ideas, this is a great place to refresh your visual style and client experience messaging before peak season.
Xposure is a great pick if you want a festival that feels bigger than “photography talks in a hotel.” It’s a week of exhibitions, workshops, and stage programming built around visual storytelling, and it’s especially interesting if you like seeing what’s emerging across the MENA region (and beyond).
If you’re trying to grow your creative range, this is the kind of event where you can bounce between galleries, talks, and workshops and come away with a fresh sense of what compelling storytelling looks like right now — not just what’s trending on your feed.
Photo Forum Fest is the kind of event you go to when you want big-expo energy + lots of learning, especially if you shoot commercially (weddings, portraits, family) or you’re building a hybrid creator workflow.
What’s especially useful is the way it’s structured: instead of one generic program, Photo Forum runs focused tracks you can plan around, including BODAF Europe (wedding photography, Feb 18–19), Family Time (family photography, Feb 19–20), and LIFE (nature / photojournalism / adventure, Feb 20). The program is here.
That makes it easier to choose sessions that match your work, and it keeps the event from feeling like you’re sitting through content that doesn’t apply to you.
Go if you want practical ideas, new connections, and a chance to compare tools face-to-face — and you’re comfortable with a high-energy, “lots happening at once” atmosphere.
If you shoot film, digital, or true hybrid and you’re craving an event that actually respects that craft (instead of treating film as a novelty), Hybrid Co is one of the most intentional communities out there.
The way people talk about this event isn’t “I got 40 tips,” it’s more like: “I found my people.” That matters if you’re building a style that’s slower, more tactile, or more personal than the average “content pipeline.” They also lean into experiences—masterclasses, styled shoots, and social programming—so it’s not purely lecture-based.
People who attend tend to rave about the vibe being supportive, artist-centered, and less competitive.
Who should go?
Portrait/wedding/family photographers who want to deepen craft, build a more artistic brand, and connect with a community that’s not obsessed with trends.
SYNC is a very specific kind of conference, in a good way! It’s built around finding your people and getting business strategies you’ll actually implement.
If you’re in senior portraits, youth sports, school work, or you’re just trying to build a studio that runs smoothly at volume, SYNC tends to attract people who will happily talk systems, pricing, fulfillment, and staffing without gatekeeping. It’s where you go to tighten marketing, sharpen your product offering, and learn what’s actually working for high-volume and senior reps right now.
Use this opportunity if you’re trying to grow revenue with a repeatable system (not just book one-off sessions).
Who should go?
Photographers who want real connection + real tactics in a setting that feels relaxed enough for honest conversations.
This is the one to add if your readers want gear + tech + future-facing imaging trends. It’s hands-on, brand-heavy, and great for comparing systems and seeing what’s next (especially if you like getting information directly from makers rather than rumor cycles).
Best used as a “modernize your kit and workflow” trip.
WPPI is the one photographers describe as “creative fuel + industry networking,” especially if you shoot weddings, portraits, couples, or families. 2026 is also getting extra buzz because Annie Leibovitz is the keynote, which usually signals a “big year” feel in programming and attendance.
The tradeshow is where WPPI becomes very “real-world useful”: you can get hands-on with gear, compare album/print partners, and pick up workflow tools that actually move the needle during peak season. It’s also one of the easier conferences to leave with new friends—there’s a strong “everyone’s in it together” vibe because so many attendees are running similar client-facing businesses.
If you’re attending, we’ll be there at Booth 827. Great time to talk speed, consistency, and how teams are scaling delivery without sacrificing the look clients hired them for.
Mar 19–21, 2026 (with published time blocks for some days)
This one is worth flagging because it’s new to the region: PhotoCon’s own site says it’s coming to Kansas City for the very first time, and they’re pitching it as a big, hands-on “try it, touch it, shoot it” style experience.
If you’re the type who learns best by doing (testing gear, watching demos, getting practical tips you can apply Monday morning), that positioning matters. The schedule format also looks a little different than a traditional conference: there’s a kick-off evening window on Mar 19 (6:30–9:00 PM), then fuller conference days Mar 20–21 (8:00 AM–6:00 PM CST) listed by Sony’s Alpha Universe calendar entry.
Who should go?
Photographers and creators who want a trade show + education mix without committing to a huge “destination conference,” plus anyone in the Midwest who wants a fresh event with that “first edition” energy.
A compact two-day hit of education + community that’s especially valuable for photographers in LATAM (or anyone who wants that regional network and perspective).
Use it as a fast way to meet peers, get new ideas, and learn in a concentrated format without taking a full week off work.
Circulation(s) is one of those events that’s perfect when you want to see work that feels new. It’s dedicated to emerging photography in Europe, and what makes it special is the variety — it’s not locked into one theme, so you get a real pulse check on what young photographers are exploring, questioning, and experimenting with.
The 2026 edition runs Mar 21 to May 17, 2026 at CENTQUATRE-PARIS, and the festival highlights a selection of artists from multiple countries (it’s very “discovery” oriented).
If you’re building personal projects, refining your eye, or just craving inspiration that isn’t the usual conference circuit, this is a strong trip. It’s also easy to pair with a Paris visit since the run is long — you can choose dates that fit your schedule.
Reset is built for people who want their education to feel more like community + clarity than “sit in a ballroom all day.” The main conference runs Apr 13–14, and there’s an optional styled shoots/mentorship day on Apr 15, which is usually the difference between “I learned a lot” and “I left with portfolio work + direct feedback.”
The best reason to go is the mix of business + work-life balance conversations that don’t feel cheesy. If you’ve been grinding—busy seasons, late nights, endless editing—this kind of event can be a reset in the literal sense: new systems, new boundaries, and friends who get it.
Who it’s for: wedding/portrait photographers (and other studio owners) who want to grow but also want to enjoy the business they’re building.
KYOTOGRAPHIE is less “conference” and more “photography takes over a city.”
It runs Apr 18 to May 17, 2026, and the best part is the setting: exhibitions spread across Kyoto, often in spaces that make the work hit differently than it would in a standard white-wall gallery.
Here’s a glimpse from their 2025 edition:
This is a great one if you want to improve your taste. How you sequence images, how you build a project, and how photography can live in physical spaces. It’s also a smart festival for photographers who feel creatively stuck, because you’re seeing how artists build bodies of work and how curators shape meaning.
If you’re planning a book, a zine, or a long-form series, you’ll leave with a lot to chew on.
Photo London is the UK’s biggest photography fair vibe — galleries, publishers, collectors, and lots of work across historic names and contemporary voices.
Here’s a photographer’s perspective on what to expect:
This is a great event if you want to see what’s happening in photography as an art market and as a medium — not just how to shoot, but how work is presented, priced, published, and discussed.
If you’re curious about prints, books, editions, or you’re building a personal body of work and want to understand how it “reads” in a fair setting, this is incredibly useful.
Even if you’re a working portrait/wedding photographer day-to-day, it’s a refreshing way to expand your visual vocabulary.
Belfast Photo Festival is a strong choice if you like photography as a city-wide cultural experience. The next edition runs Jun 4–30, 2026, and it’s billed as the largest annual photography festival in the UK and Ireland, spanning many venues across Belfast.
This video maybe somewhat dated, but gives a good sense for what to expect from the Belfast Photo Festival. Hope it helps!
What people tend to love about festivals like this is the variety: exhibitions, events, and a lot of room to wander and discover work you wouldn’t have searched for. It’s also a good networking environment if you’re interested in editorial, documentary, or contemporary art photography — the conversations feel different than a gear-heavy expo.
If you’re building personal projects, this is a great place to recalibrate your creative standards and see how strong work is shown and contextualized.
Copenhagen Photo Festival runs Jun 11–21, 2026, and it’s a great “summer trip with substance” if you want exhibitions and events that revolve around photography as both art and documentation.
The vibe here is very Nordic in the best way: thoughtful programming, a strong design sense, and a nice balance between established voices and emerging work. If you’re someone who wants inspiration that doesn’t feel like a copy/paste of the same conference formula, this is refreshing.
Here’s an aftermovie from the 2022 fest:
It’s also a smart festival for photographers who are building longer-term creative direction — you’ll see how projects are framed, how themes get explored across multiple artists, and how presentation choices shape meaning.
This event is unapologetically for volume photographers—school, sports, teams, dance, high-volume studios—who want to tighten operations, improve sales, and reduce chaos during peak season.
The positioning is “interactive workshops, live shoots, and sessions designed by photographers, for photographers,” which is exactly what volume shooters usually need (tactics, systems, and workflows).
If your biggest pain is scale, staffing, fulfillment, consistency, ordering, proofing, deadlines—this is a targeted investment rather than generic inspiration.
Who should go: anyone trying to run volume work like a well-oiled machine.
This is a strong pick if you like the “expo + education weekend” format: short, high-energy, and packed with hands-on demos. The 2026 dates are Jul 17–18, and Bedford’s event description emphasizes a big trade-show floor plus practical sessions and interactive demos.
What people tend to love about events like this is the low friction: you can show up, learn, test gear, talk to brands, and leave without needing a full week off work. The expo also mentions gear trade-ins, which can be a smart move if you’ve been meaning to upgrade but don’t want to deal with the resale hassle.
Who should go?
Photographers of any level who want inspiration + practical learning in a weekend format.
Rencontres d’Arles is one of the biggest “if you love photography, you should experience it once” festivals. It’s been running since 1970 and turns the whole city into a photography map: exhibitions, screenings, workshops, debates, portfolio reviews, the works!
For 2026, multiple official tourism/event listings show the festival dates as Jul 6 to Oct 4, 2026, with an opening week in early July.
This is the place to go if you want to see photography at scale — not just single images, but big, ambitious bodies of work and curatorial statements. It’s especially valuable if you’re building serious personal projects or want to understand what’s shaping the broader photography world beyond social media.
The Costa Rica retreat dates are listed as Jan 11–17, 2026, with another Costa Rica session Apr 26–May 2, 2026.
These retreats are designed for photographers who want a high-touch, immersive experience. Education + portfolio building + mindset/wellness, rather than a big conference crowd.
If you want something closer to a creative reset (with structured shoots and an experience built around inspiration), this fits. The spring Costa Rica page leans heavily into “intimate, fully immersive,” with styled shoots and multiple educators listed.
There’s also a Texas Edition set for Oct 5–9, 2026 in Marble Falls, which is a good option if you want the retreat vibe without international travel.
Who should go?
Photographers who want to level up craft and business while also getting refueled creatively.
Deadline: Jan 18, 2026 (13:00 CET) — Winners announced Apr 9, 2026
If you’re a documentary or photojournalism-leaning photographer, World Press Photo is one of the few competitions where the upside can be truly career-changing. The 2026 contest timeline is clearly published: entries close Jan 18, 2026 at 13:00 CET, winners announced Apr 9, 2026, and the flagship exhibition opens Apr 24, 2026 in Amsterdam.
This isn’t just “win a badge.” Winners get global exhibition inclusion, publication, and meaningful exposure across a huge audience.
Who should enter: photographers with strong long-form stories, high-impact singles, or projects with real editorial weight.
This is a great reminder that “photography events” don’t have to be conferences. ICP’s HARD COPY NEW YORK focuses on the creative potential of the photocopied image—nostalgia, materiality, experimentation—and it’s positioned as an expanded iteration of Aaron Stern’s ongoing project.
If you’re feeling visually stuck, exhibitions like this are surprisingly practical: you leave with new ideas about process, sequencing, and making work outside your usual constraints. It’s also an easy add-on if you’re visiting NYC for client work, a shoot, or just a creative weekend.
Who should go?
Photographers and artists who want to think differently about process and print, and anyone who loves seeing how ideas evolve across generations.
If you’re in Paris in early 2026, this is a can’t-miss exhibition for photographers who care about culture, society, and visual commentary. Jeu de Paume lists the run as Jan 30–May 24, 2026, framing it around Parr’s sharp, satirical view of modern life and global imbalance.
What you get from Parr in person is different than scrolling his work online—sequencing, repetition, and the way images “stack” into a bigger argument really lands in an exhibition setting.
Who should go?
Street/documentary shooters, editorial photographers, and anyone building a voice that’s observational, funny, or uncomfortable in the best way.
This is a straightforward juried call if you want a near-term goal with a clear theme: “Trees and Water.” The published deadline is Feb 11, 2026. Who it’s best for: photographers with strong nature, landscape, or conceptual work that can still fit the theme without feeling literal.
If you want a contest with a real-world audience and a social impact angle, NCOA’s contest deadline is Mar 15, 2026, and it’s listed as free entry on the official submission page. Who it’s best for: photographers who can tell human stories (especially around older adults and community).
This one is appealing because the “win” is tangible: exhibit in a dedicated photography gallery. Deadline is Apr 15, 2026, and the opportunity is to show work for a month at ViewPoint Gallery in Halifax. Who it’s best for: photographers who want an exhibition credit and don’t want to be boxed into a theme.
If you shoot street and want a contest built specifically for that genre, this one lists a deadline of Apr 15, 2026 and points to the Street Photography Barcelona contest site. Who it’s best for: street photographers with a strong “moment” sense—human behavior, irony, gesture, light, timing.
ShutterFest is for photographers who learn best by doing. Their whole positioning is “build-your-own conference,” with everything from hands-on shooting and photo walks to business-focused sessions — so you can make it as practical or as creative as you want.
This event gets love because it doesn’t feel like “death by PowerPoint.” The vibe is more energetic and experiential, and people come ready to shoot, talk shop, and leave with ideas they can use immediately.
Dates: Aug 29–Sep 13, 2026 (Pro Week: Aug 31–Sep 5)
Visa pour l’Image is the photojournalism festival — a must if you care about documentary storytelling, ethics, and how images shape public understanding. The next edition runs Aug 29 to Sep 13, 2026 in Perpignan, with Pro Week Aug 31 to Sep 5.
A nice bonus: if your readers are working pros with strong reportage, Visa also publishes a call for applications and a submission deadline (Mar 31, 2026) for those looking to be considered for exhibitions/screenings.
This is you go for perspective, and not just gear shopping. You’ll leave thinking differently about narrative, editing choices, and the responsibility of images.
Paris Photo is the heavyweight fair for photography and image-based art — galleries, publishers, collectors, and a huge amount of work across modern masters and contemporary artists.
The official site lists the 2026 fair dates as Nov 12–15, 2026 at the Grand Palais (and notes opening hours like 1pm–8pm, with Sunday ending earlier).
This is the event to recommend when someone wants the “biggest snapshot of the photography art world.” It’s especially useful if you’re curious about prints, book culture, and how photographers build bodies of work that hold up in a global market.
Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s a powerful way to sharpen taste, see what’s being championed right now, and get ideas for how to present your own work more coherently.
Wrapping up
Phew! That’s quite a lineup, isn’t it? Attending these events and workshops isn’t just about learning; it’s about immersing yourself in the vibrant world of photography, making connections, and taking your craft to new heights.
And hey, speaking of taking your craft to new heights, have you tried Aftershoot yet? It’s your ticket to a speedy culling, editing, and retouching workflow. Give it a go and see the magic unfold!
Now, what are you waiting for? Block your calendar, book your tickets, and get ready for an unforgettable year of photography!
Note: Dates, locations, and speakers are subject to change. Please check the respective event websites for up-to-date information.
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