Virtual Conference 2026
MAY 7 – 8, 2026
Get the skills, connections, and confidence to organize your photos, grow your expertise, or build a thriving photo business over two high-impact days virtually.
The Premier Conference for Photo Professionals
Does this Sound Familiar?
You care deeply about your work and doing it well
You actively research tools, trends, and emerging technology (including AI), and you’re ready for clearer conversations with peers who truly understand your business and can help you move forward with confidence.
You want confidence in your approach – and clarity around value.
As a Photo Manager, you want to confidently price and communicate the value of your services. As a DIY organizer, you want reassurance that you’re investing your time, energy, and resources wisely with methods that truly work.
You’re putting in the effort and want results that match.
You’re showing up, learning, sharing, organizing, and making progress. Whether that’s marketing your services or simply tackling a growing photo collection, you want to know what actually works in today’s noisy, fast-changing world.
You want the technical side to feel manageable and empowering.
From complex photo situations to choosing the right tools, software, and workflows, you’re looking for clarity. With technology and AI evolving quickly, you want practical guidance and systems that support your goals, not overwhelm them.
You’re ready to move forward – with support.
As a Photo Manager, you may be growing, refining, or adapting your business. As a DIY organizer, you may be building skills, habits, and confidence. Either way, you want a clear, thoughtful path forward, guided by experience and grounded in purpose.
Here's the truth: You could spend months or years figuring this out alone...
Or you could accelerate everything in just a few days surrounded by people who've been where you are.
What If You Could Skip Years of Trial and Error?
Learn From People Who’ve Been There
Get practical guidance and real-world insight from experienced photo managers and industry experts, whether you’re joining us in Boston or tuning in virtually. No more guessing or endless Googling.
Build a Support System that Lasts
Connect with peers, accountability partners, and potential collaborators during the event, and take those relationships with you long after the conference ends, no matter how you attend.
Master What Once Felt Overwhelming
Break down complex topics step by step through engaging workshops and sessions. With access to recordings, you can revisit the material and move at your own pace, in Boston or from home.
Charge with Confidence
Learn proven pricing strategies that help you clearly communicate your value and feel confident charging for the impact of your work.
Leave Energized and Clear
Whether you head home from Boston or log off after the final virtual session, you’ll feel inspired, focused, and equipped with a clear plan for what’s next.
Learn What you Need, When you Need It
Customize your experience with focused tracks, sessions, and workshops designed to meet you exactly where you are, professionally or personally, with flexible access across both formats.
Charge with Confidence
Learn proven pricing strategies that help you clearly communicate your value and feel confident charging for the impact of your work.
Leave Energized and Clear
Whether you head home from Boston or log off after the final virtual session, you’ll feel inspired, focused, and equipped with a clear plan for what’s next.
Learn What you Need, When you Need It
Customize your experience with focused tracks, sessions, and workshops designed to meet you exactly where you are — professionally or personally – with flexible access across both formats.
Virtual Conference Sessions
Kristyn Webb
Fishman Stewart IP
The Photo Manager’s Legal Playbook: Rights, Revenue & Real-World Tools
- Thursday, May 7th | 10:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Photo managers live at the intersection of priceless family archives and very real legal risk. This session turns “uh-oh” into “I got this,” with clear, step-by-step guidance on copyright ownership (who actually owns what), licenses and permissions (when a text or email is not enough), DMCA takedown basics, and contract clauses that protect your time and make sure you get paid. Participants can expect a brief overview of legal basics, a walk-through of real scenarios pulled from years of practice, and a practical portion workshopping documents and legal forms for real world use. This is not a law school class full of hypotheticals; it’s a practical, real-world workshop with checklists, templates, and clauses you can start using the next day.
You’ll leave with a practical legal toolkit, complete with templates, clauses, and checklists, to help you protect client archives, avoid copyright pitfalls, and safeguard your business with confidence.
David Mark Erickson
The Lightroom Mindset: Getting Started with Lightroom Classic for Photo Managers
- Thursday, May 7th | 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Most Lightroom tutorials teach you where to click. This session gives you something more valuable: a clear mental model of how Lightroom Classic is designed to work from the inside out. Drawing on more than a decade of teaching Lightroom Classic, Certified Lightroom Expert and Photo Manager Pro, David Mark Erickson has identified that the biggest barrier to mastering Lightroom isn’t technical, it’s psychological. Once you understand the internal logic and architecture behind the software, it stops feeling unpredictable and starts feeling intuitive. Beyond the core framework, David will also profile several key features that matter most for photo managers specifically, and shares pro tips from years of real-world teaching that will immediately change how you work with the software and with your clients.
You’ll leave with a clear mental model of Lightroom Classic, so you can navigate it confidently, work more efficiently, and make informed decisions in your workflows.
Isabelle Dervaux
A Cohesive Visual Identity Through Photography
- Thursday, May 7th | 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Your image is one of your most powerful marketing tools. In this session, Isabelle Dervaux will help you develop a cohesive visual identity that authentically reflects who you are and what you do. You’ll learn how to move beyond generic stock photos to create professional, story-driven images that capture your personality and expertise. From crafting before-and-after visuals to preparing press-ready materials and choosing the right images for social media, Isabelle will guide you through practical ways to elevate your brand presence. Through interactive exercises and group discussions, you’ll leave ready to showcase your work with confidence and consistency.
You’ll leave with a personalized plan and actionable steps to build a strong visual identity that communicates your brand story and attracts your ideal clients.
Angela Turner
SOS Legacies
Beyond the Slideshow: Legacy Digital Storytelling for Photo Managers
- Part 1: Friday, May 8th | 12:30pm - 3:30pm EDT (during virtual conference)
- Part 2: Friday, May 15th | 12:30pm - 3:30pm EDT (1 week after virtual conference)
Format: Two 3-hour virtual sessions
Project Focus: Personal or family legacy digital story
This intensive virtual workshop empowers photo managers to transform their own photo collections into compelling digital legacy stories while discovering how these same techniques can elevate their client services. Through hands-on creation of a personal or family narrative, participants will experience the emotional power of pairing imagery with story—insights they can immediately apply to help clients preserve and share their most meaningful memories.
You’ll leave with a 3-5 minute digital story combining personal/family photographs, narration, and music to preserve a meaningful legacy moment or theme. This completed project serves both as a personal keepsake and a proof-of-concept for client work.
Rachel Arbuckle
2000 Paces Photo Organizing
From Inventory to Outcome: Pricing Projects and Learning from the Numbers
- Friday, May 8th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
This session walks through how a photo organizing project is designed from the very beginning—starting with inventory and client goals—and how those early decisions shape time, cost, and outcomes. You’ll explore how to think about pricing work by phase, how to anticipate variability, and how to review a completed project to understand what actually happened. Rather than focusing on tools, this session focuses on clarity: how to price intentionally, evaluate results thoughtfully, and use what you learn to improve future projects.
You’ll leave with a clearer framework for pricing projects based on inventory and goals, and a practical way to review completed work so you can make more confident decisions going forward.
Keynotes & General Sessions
Jake Athey
VP Sales and Go-To-Market – DAM, PIM, Web Governance | Acquia
Humans, AI, and the Future of Photo Management
- Thursday, May 7th | 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming digital asset management (DAM), automating tasks like tagging, metadata, and content generation. But while machines can accelerate workflows, they cannot replace the human judgment, empathy, and storytelling skills that families and businesses count on.
In this talk, we’ll explore the evolving relationship between AI and DAM through the lens of professional photo management. What new skills do photo managers need to cultivate? How does “garbage in, garbage out” still apply when AI depends on high-quality, well-governed inputs? And how can professionals position themselves as trusted guides who bridge technology and human connection?
This conversation-style session will highlight real examples of how AI is reshaping the industry, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and why the role of photo managers as stewards of legacy, brand integrity, and memory preservation is more important than ever.
The State of the Board: Commitment, Clarity & What Comes Next
- Friday, May 8th | 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
Curious what the Advisory Board is working on? Join this behind-the-scenes conversation to hear key updates, understand priorities, and learn how today’s decisions are shaping the future of The Photo Managers.
Cathi Nelson
Founder of The Photo Managers
Sixteen Years, A Thousand Helping Hands
- Friday, May 8th | 4:00pm - 4:35pm EDT
Sixteen years ago, Cathi Nelson started The Photo Managers at a dining room table with a simple but powerful belief: that helping families preserve their photos and tell their stories is meaningful work. What followed was the creation of an entirely new profession, a global community, and a living example of what happens when one person says yes before they have all the answers.
In this keynote, Cathi shares the story behind the story; the relationships, the risks, and the unexpected circle of believers, truth-tellers, and steady presences that made it all possible. Drawing on research about entrepreneurial networks, the wisdom of Rumi, Richard Rohr, and the lessons of sixteen years in the field, she makes the case that no one builds anything alone.
This is a talk about leadership, legacy, and the courage it takes to start something new, at any age, at any stage. It’s about the roles people play in each other’s success, the culture that forms when collaboration replaces competition, and what it means to build something so meaningful you can’t turn the lights off on it.
Stay Where the Fun Happens
Hilton Boston Park Plaza
Our 2026 Photo Managers Conference will take place at the elegant Hilton Boston Park Plaza, located right in the heart of the city. This historic hotel blends modern comfort with timeless charm, making it an inspiring place to unwind after a day full of learning and networking. Plus, with its central location, you’ll have easy access to Boston’s rich history, dining, and cultural attractions just steps away!
The conference will begin the afternoon of 4/8/26 and will end around noon on 4/11/26.
Book your stay today at our special discounted rate and make the most of your time at the conference and beyond!
If you’re looking for a roommate, you may use this roommate finder.
Conference Schedule
We’ve created an energizing, interactive experience designed to connect, inspire, and make you love learning from home.
Hosted on Remo, an interactive platform that feels more like a real event than a webinar, you’ll move between virtual tables, join small group conversations, and connect face-to-face with fellow attendees throughout the day. It’s a dynamic, engaging way to learn, network, and truly be part of the community.
Along the way, you’ll be guided by our fun and engaging MC, Holly Corbid from Capture Your Photos, join live Q&As with breakout speakers to get your questions answered in real time, and connect with fellow photo managers inside our virtual lounge.
Plus, you’ll have chances to win fun prizes and hear from our exhibitors during spotlight moments.
If you are brand new to using Remo, we recommend these resources:
*Schedule is subject to change.
Deep-Dive Learning
We are offering two types of learning opportunities. These are included with registration, and you can mix-and-match to attend a combination of both types of sessions.
Breakout Sessions
Sharpen your skills with 60- or 90-minute breakout sessions packed with practical tips, checklists, and real-world strategies. From client workflows to tech tools, these sessions deliver focused insights you can apply right away.
Workshops
Dive deeper with 3-hour hands-on workshops that go beyond theory into active learning. Work alongside instructors and peers to build skills, refine workflows, and leave with ready-to-use tools for your business.
Register for 2026 Conference
Virtual 2026
MAY 7 – 8, 2026
$599
Non-Members: $699
- • Full Virtual Conference Attendance
- • Lifetime Access to Virtual Conference Recordings
- • Lifetime Access to Breakouts from Boston
Snapshot Pass
MAY 7 – 8, 2026
$199
Non-Members Pay the Same
- • Full Virtual Conference Attendance
- • Two-Weeks Access to Virtual Conference Recordings
Refund Policy: Full refunds for the Boston and/or Virtual 2026 conference will be given until 12/31/2025. If you need to cancel your registration after 12/31/25, you may transfer your registration to another attendee until 3/1/2026 (Boston) or 4/1/2026 (Virtual). Registrations are non-transferrable after those dates. All transfers are the responsibility of the registrant and must be agreed to in writing with The Photo Managers before transfer. To cancel or transfer your registration, please contact us at support@thephotomanagers.com. Read our full event policies here.
Arrival / Departure Days for Boston
We recommend planning your travel with the following arrival and departure dates:
Arrival Days:
Tuesday, April 7
CEO Lab Arrivals
Wednesday, April 8
Conference Starts at 4pm
Departure Days:
Saturday, April 11
Conference Ends at 1pm
Stay Where the Fun Happens
Hilton Boston Park Plaza
Our 2026 Photo Managers Conference will take place at the elegant Hilton Boston Park Plaza, located right in the heart of the city. This historic hotel blends modern comfort with timeless charm, making it an inspiring place to unwind after a day full of learning and networking. Plus, with its central location, you’ll have easy access to Boston’s rich history, dining, and cultural attractions just steps away!
The conference will begin the afternoon of 4/8/26 and will end around noon on 4/11/26.
Book your stay today at our special discounted rate and make the most of your time at the conference and beyond!
If you’re looking for a roommate, you may use this roommate finder.
Cutoff date for discounted room rate: March 17, 2026
Here's What Past Attendees Are Saying...
“I was on the fence about spending the money on conference being so new to The Photo Managers. After attending in-person, I will never miss another conference. Absolutely wonderful to connect with other PMs and the training was an investment into my business that will bring immeasurable returns!”
Kari K.
ViKarious Living
“For anyone considering starting a business in Photo Organizing this is a MUST! It is the only industry I know that welcomes you with open arms, helps you set up and guides you through the process. Every expert is willing to help no matter where you are with your business. Conference is where you see it all come together, meet people who have the same questions (which get answered), learn about related business opportunities, more efficient workflows and meet face to face with vendors who have products you didn’t know you needed!”
Ana C.
Posterity Pro
“The best part of the conference, to me, was the chance to meet other Photo Managers, in person and pick their brains! The ability to collaborate and share ideas, best practices and stories was my favorite part. I loved making new friends, and being part of such a generous, giving community. I can’t wait till Denver!”
Karen H.
Near & Dear Photo Solutions
Questions? We've Got Answers.
There are three ways to join the 2026 Photo Managers Conference:
Full In-Person Conference (April 8–11, 2026) in Boston
Day Pass (Boston) for those attending a single day
Virtual Conference (May 7–8, 2026) with live sessions and on-demand recordings
Each option offers valuable education and connection—you can choose the experience that best fits your schedule and goals.
Absolutely. This conference is designed to be valuable no matter where you are in your journey.
If you’re just starting out, you’ll find sessions that clearly explain core concepts and provide practical, real-world takeaways. If you already have experience, you’ll benefit from deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and opportunities to learn how others are approaching similar challenges.
Speakers aim to make their content accessible without oversimplifying, and the environment is welcoming and collaborative. Whether you’re building your foundation or refining your expertise, you’ll leave with knowledge, connections, and ideas you can put into practice right away.
You’re welcome here! Whether you’re building a business or simply passionate about preserving memories and learning in a supportive environment, you’ll find valuable education and inspiring connections.
Virtual includes the full breakout library, live Watch Parties with chat discussion, and a virtual-specific workshop—all designed for online learning. Boston includes everything PLUS complimentary virtual access so you never miss a session.
Staying at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza is not required, but it is highly recommended. The conference sessions, networking events, and evening activities will all take place at the hotel, making it easy to fully participate without commuting.
We’ve secured a special discounted conference rate, which you can access through this link: Book Your Stay. Availability is limited, so we encourage booking early.
If you’re looking for a roommate, you may use this roommate finder.
We recommend arriving on Wednesday, April 8, as the conference officially begins at 4:00 PM that afternoon. If you’re attending the optional CEO Lab, arrival on Tuesday, April 7 is recommended. The conference concludes on Saturday, April 11, around 1:00 PM, making Saturday afternoon departures ideal.
We offer payment plans to make registration accessible. Plus, many attendees tell us that the connections they make lead to referrals and collaborations that pay for the conference multiple times over.
Boston attendees get complimentary virtual access, so you can rewatch anything you missed. Virtual attendees get the full recording library to watch on your schedule.
This is what conference is known for. We’ve intentionally designed networking opportunities, small group discussions, meals together, and activities specifically to help you build real relationships. People leave with accountability partners, referral connections, and lifelong friends.
Interested in joining us as a 2026 Vendor?
Join us April 7–11, 2026 for the most anticipated event of the year for professional photo managers and anyone passionate about preserving, organizing, and sharing memories who wants to gain practical skills, inspiration, and community connections.
The industry is booming — and we’re expecting over 200 of our top photo manager professionals to gather for five powerful days of innovation, networking, and growth. This is your chance to showcase your solutions, elevate your brand, and connect with the decision-makers driving this rapidly growing field.
Reserve your exhibitor package today — space is limited and demand is high!
Early Bird Registration ends 12/31/2025.
Interested in a custom package? Contact Cathi Nelson.
Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors
