2023 Conference: Bright Lights, Big City!
Join us for the 2023 Pas de Deux Dance Photography Conference in Chicago. The conference takes place Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23, 2023. The conference will include a Trade Show with three studio setups for working with dance models. We also have classroom presentations, photo walks, demonstrations and studio setup classrooms. The conference will take place at the Chicago Hilton on Michigan Avenue. Outdoor photo locations include Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Lake Michigan waterfront as well as urban looks with L trains and streetviews.
Registration Options
All registrations are for three days July 21-23, 2023. Your registration includes:
- three days of community and education
- top photographers working in dance photography
- photo walks with dancer models
- Trade Show with businesses that can help you grow and manage your workflow
- Gorgeous setting in world-class Hilton and downtown Chicago with many portfolio - building opportunities
- mini-portfolio review with a conference speakers
- exclusive rates at the host hotel
- studio setups for portfolio building
- lunch on Friday and Saturday
- Friday night social with announcement of the 2023 Pas De Deux Dance Photography Competition winners
- Saturday night Gala benefitting Chicago Dancers United
Special Rates available for students (full time only); Studios bringing two photographers can register their second photographer with a discount.
The prelude (early)
June 1- October 15, 2022
$435
the grand pas
October 16, 2022 - April 1, 2023
$495
the coDA
April 2- June 15, 2023
$595
the finale
June 16 - July 21, 2023
$655
Friday July 21
General Session with Keynote - 9 am - 11 am
Lunch (included) - 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Trade Show - 12:00 pm -2:30 pm
Breakout Sessions- 2:30pm - 7:45 pm
Reception - 8 pm - 10 pm
Saturday July 22
Sunrise excursions - Adler Planetarium or Buckingham Fountain - 5:15 am
Morning Greeting - 8:30 am - 8:45 am
Breakout Sessions - 9 am - 12 noon
Lunch (included) 12 noon - 1 pm
Trade Show 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Breakout Sessions 2:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Gala fundraiser for Chicago Dancers United 9 - 11 pm
Sunday July 23
Sunrise excursions - Adler Planetarium or Buckingham Fountain - 5:15 am
Morning Greeting - 8:30 am - 8:45 am
Breakout Sessions - 8:45 am - 12 noon
Trade Show 11:45 am - 12:45 pm
Lunch (on your own) 12:30 pm -1:30 pm
Breakout Sessions 1:30pm - 4:15 pm
Closing Session 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
PC: Kristen Blickhan Chicago 2021 Workshop
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Important Policies for Attending the Conference
One of the special features of Pas de Deux is the opportunity for a variety of ways to learn. We offer traditional classroom presentations as well as demonstrations and portfolio-building experiences. Dancers ages 12 and up can apply to model as part of the conference experience. Because some of the dancers are minors, Pas de Deux Photo has policies in place to protect dancers from harm. Past policies include maintaining safe ratios of adults and dancers, providing a safety and etiquette presentation during the first day General Session, having parent chaperones and giving dancer support from our dance creative directors.
This year we are expanding our programming and policies. Pas de Deux Photo is committed not only to preventing harm to underage dancers, but to being a leader in education of adults working with and supporting dancers. PDD is taking a more comprehensive and holistic approach. We are offering and encouraging all photographers who work with dancers who are minors to complete the SafeSport® Trained Core course and to see our resources list. For the conference, all photographers, speakers, volunteers and staff are required to complete a criminal background check, complete a training course on safety and abuse prevention, and sign a more extensive Code of Conduct before attending the 2023 conference.
You can read more here about our approach to attendee expectations and safety.
Get Involved
Pre- and Post-Conference Options
Pre Conference - Thursday afternoon & evening
Explore some amazing locations on this extended photo walk (up to four miles in all) from Millenium Park to the LaSalle Street Bridge, including the Riverwalk & Michigan Avenue
Sunday night post- conference
Enjoy the city during the Golden Hour and at night. Bring your lights for photo sessions at Buckingham Fountain with Navy Pier lights in the background.
Monday Rain Machine Workshop
Located at Ron McKinney Studios in the northwest suburb of Crystal Lake, come learn about rain machine portraits. Must have your own transportation.
Location: Hilton Chicago at Michigan Avenue (720 S Michigan Ave)
The Michigan Avenue Hilton -- located at 720 South Michigan in Chicago - is across the street from some of Chicago's most iconic and unique locations. Off-site excursions include Grant Park, Millenium Park and outside of Adler Planetarium. Indoors, the architecture provides for amazing photographic experiences.
Sleeping room rates for the conference start at $199 a night for a single or double room. Reservations can be made using this link.
Secure self-parking and valet parking are available on site. Rates are available on the Hilton webpage. Downtown Chicago is accessible from both Midway and O'Hare Airports.
Join us in Pas de Deux - build your portfolio, connect with other dance photographers, grow your business, and expand your skills. Great for hobbyists, experienced photographers, and everyone wanting to grow their art and their business.
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Contact us with questions - Beth@pasdedeuxphoto.com