Pas de
Deux Photo Conference 2027
February 13-15, 2027
Tampa, Fl
The 2027 Pas de Deux Dance Photography Conference starts on 9 am Saturday, February 13, and concludes at 3 pm Monday, February 15.
Your conference registration includes access to all sessions, along with the opportunity to sign up for a variety of hands-on learning experiences. During each concurrent session, attendees may choose from three classes—one in each of our educational tracks: Volume, Artistic, and Business. Each session includes one hands-on studio class and two traditional classroom presentations.
In addition to classroom learning, the conference offers Portfolio Reviews, Speaker-Led Photowalks, Individual Photowalks, and Studio Set-Ups where photographers can put new skills into practice. These hands-on experiences are included with conference registration but require advance sign-up and have limited capacity to ensure a high-quality learning experience for every participant.
Attendees can also meet with industry-leading businesses at our Trade Show running on Saturday and Sunday.
Sessions
Whether your goal is to increase studio volume, create more compelling dance imagery, or grow a profitable photography business, you'll find a schedule designed to meet your needs.
The Tracks
Each concurrent session includes one class from each of the three tracks, allowing you to customize your conference experience. Rather than following a single track from beginning to end, you're free to mix and match sessions based on your interests and business goals.
Every concurrent session features:
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One Volume Track class
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One Artistic Track class
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One Business Track class
Volume Track
Learn efficient workflows, lighting, posing, staffing, sales, and production strategies for high-volume dance photography. These classes focus on practical techniques that help photographers serve more clients while maintaining quality and profitability.
Artistic Track
Refine your creative vision through classes on lighting, composition, storytelling, movement, styling, posing, advanced portrait techniques. These sessions are designed for photographers who want to create distinctive, impactful dance images.
Business Track
Build a stronger, more sustainable photography business with sessions covering marketing, branding, pricing, client experience, sales, financial planning, and business strategy.
The Formats
Within each track, you'll also choose between two learning formats: Studio Set-Up Sessions and Classroom Sessions. These formats allow our speakers to deliver their content in unique approaches tailored to the subject they are speaking on.
Every concurrent sessions features:
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One Studio Set-Up Session
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Two Classroom Sessions
Studio Sessions
Hands-on classes held in fully equipped studio set ups where speakers demonstrate techniques by working directly with dancer models. Photographers will learn about lighting, posing, camera techniques, and creative concepts in real time.
A limited number of these Studio Set-Up sessions will have opportunities for photographers to take out their cameras and experiment. Check out the specific topic description to learn if photographers will have opportunities to capture images during these sessions.
Classroom Sessions
Presentation-based classes featuring business strategies, workflow instruction, and interactive discussions led by experienced educators. Speakers will share images and examples to illustrate their ideas and time will be provided for asking questions.
With this flexible format, you can spend the weekend building the conference experience that's right for you—whether you want to immerse yourself in creative photography, sharpen your business skills, master volume photography, or enjoy a combination of all three.
Hands-On Expierences
One of the hallmarks of the Pas de Deux Photo Conference is the opportunity to learn by photographing dancers in real-world settings. Throughout the weekend, attendees can participate in a variety of hands-on experiences designed to build technical skills, inspire creativity, and provide practical application of the concepts taught in class.
Some hands-on sessions are led by conference speakers, who begin with demonstrations, instruction, or guided coaching before photographers begin shooting. Other experiences are intentionally less structured, giving photographers the freedom to experiment with lighting, composition, posing, and creative collaboration while working with dancer models.
No matter the format, the safety and well-being of our dancer models is our highest priority. Every hands-on learning experience is supervised by conference speakers, Creative Directors, dance mentors, and/or parents and guardians. Dancers are never placed in unsupervised photography sessions.
Whether you're following an instructor's creative vision or exploring your own, each hands-on experience provides a supportive environment where photographers can practice new techniques, receive feedback, and create exceptional dance imagery.
Hands-on experiences run throughout the conference, concurrent with sessions. Check your emails and the Pas de Deux social media accounts for sign-up info. Sign-ups will open this fall.
Portfolio Reviews
Sign up for a ten-minute one-on-one portfolio review and receive personalized feedback from professional dance photographers. Bring 6-10 images you most want to develop and gain valuable insights on composition, lighting, posing, editing, storytelling, and building a portfolio that reflects your artistic vision.
Studio Setups
Try a variety of professional lighting setups while photographing Pas de Deux Photo dancer models in fully equipped studio environments. Whether you're learning a new lighting technique or refining your workflow, these hands-on sessions provide the opportunity to experiment, create, and build your portfolio.
Individual Photowalks
Explore inspiring locations with dancer models at your own pace during Individual Photowalks. These self-directed sessions give you the freedom to apply what you've learned, collaborate creatively with your models, and develop images that reflect your own photographic style while working within conference guidelines.
Speaker-led Photowalks
Presentation-based classes featuring business strategies, workflow instruction, and interactive discussions led by experienced educators. Speakers will share images and examples to illustrate their ideas and time will be provided for asking questions.
Advanced sign up is required for these additional creative experiences.
Trade Show
Discover the latest products, services, and innovations from companies that support dance and portrait photographers. Meet industry experts, explore new equipment and software, take advantage of conference specials, and connect with vendors who can help you elevate both your photography and your business.
Conference Schedule
Friday, February 12 | Curtain Up
Off Site Excursion | Local Beach
Enjoy Florida's stunning coastline for an exclusive sunset photography adventure! Travel by coach bus to a local beach. This experience is limited to just 40 participants, ensuring personalized attention as you work alongside 8-10 professional dancers and expert photographer and dancer mentors.
Departure: 2:30 PM | Return: 7:30 PM
Conference registration required. Additional fee applies. Expected to sell out quickly.
Saturday, February 13|Opening Day
General Session | 9:00 AM
Join Conference Directors Beth and Ron McKinney and Creative Directors Jessica Garrett and Alexa Culclasure to celebrate the opening of the fourth Pas de Deux Dance Photography Conference. Meet our speakers and find inspiration for your weekend.
Trade Show & Portfolio Reviews | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Connect with industry leaders while getting expert feedback on your work.
Lunch Break | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Afternoon Sessions
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1:00 - 2:15 PM
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2:30 - 3:45 PM
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4:00 - 5:15 PM
Evening Celebration
7:30 PM - Social Hour with Cash Bar
8:00 PM - Pas de Deux Dance Photography Competition Awards Ceremony
Sunday, February 14|Center Stage
Morning Sessions
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8:30 - 9:45 AM
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10:00 - 11:15 AM
Extended Trade Show | 11:15 AM - 1:45 PM
Lunch Break | 12:45 - 1:45 PM
Afternoon Sessions
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1:45 - 3:00 PM
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3:15 - 4:30 PM
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4:45 - 6:00 PM
Off Site Excursion | University of Tampa's Historic Plant Building & Park
Capture stunning architecture and landscapes at this iconic venue.
Departure: 3:15 PM | Return: 7:00 PM
Conference registration required. Additional fee applies. Seats are limited.
Super Bowl Watch Party | 6:00 PM (kick off at 6:30 pm)
Monday, February 15|Final Bow
Morning Sessions
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8:30 - 9:45 AM
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10:00 - 11:15 AM
Lunch | 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Final Afternoon Session
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12:15 - 1:30 PM
Closing Ceremonies | 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Celebrate your achievements and take home lasting connections and inspiration.