Professional Photographers of Iowa

04/11/2026

FOCUS forward day 2! Come see us! Vendor meet and greet from 2:30-4:30pm

04/04/2026

WE HAVE TEES!

For a VERY LIMITED TIME, you can order your PPI Focus Forward commemmorative tees or sweatshirts for pickup at our Focus Forward event!

Orders due by Noon on Monday, April 6th!

Check out the options at https://embark-ink-llc.square.site/

04/02/2026

This is where the real magic happens at Focus Forward (hint, speakers are just the beginning...):

👉Networking Hangouts (aka where “I’ll just say hi” turns into your next big connection)
👉Vendor Meet + Greet with , Frame & Design , and @
👉Pajama Jam Closing Party because yes… we learn hard and party harder
👉Awards Brunch celebrating some seriously incredible work

This is your reminder that this event isn’t just about education it’s about connection, community, and the kind of conversations that actually move your business forward.

And hey… it’s not too late to get in the room.

Grab your spot, pack your camera (and your pajamas 😏), and come hang with us at Focus Forward. Register at www.ppiowa.com

04/01/2026

PPI Member Spotlight: Michelle Skarpness

Michelle Skarpness lives in the fast-paced world of volume sports and dance photography—from soccer fields buzzing with energy to dance studios full of tutus and Friday night football under the lights. She travels across four states photographing dance studios, youth leagues, and school sports teams, capturing moments that athletes, dancers, and families will treasure for years to come.

After 20+ years working from her home studio, Michelle recently celebrated a big milestone—moving into her first retail location as her volume side continued to grow. The new space has also allowed her to offer boutique portrait sessions, including a Women’s Empowerment experience that has quickly become one of the most meaningful parts of her work.

One of Michelle’s most memorable shoots came during a Barstool Sports collaboration at the Iowa vs. Iowa State Cy-Hawk rivalry game, where she captured the energy, excitement, and pride surrounding one of Iowa’s biggest college football matchups.

One lesson Michelle wishes she had learned earlier is to celebrate the wins—even the small ones. In volume photography, feedback often only comes when something goes wrong. That’s why she focuses on finding ways to recharge and stay inspired—whether that’s subbing in local schools, volunteering, spending time with friends, or turning up her morning hype song on the drive to the studio.

Michelle says one of the things she loves most about Professional Photographers of Iowa is the sense of community. Photographers openly share ideas, support each other, and celebrate each other’s success—something that makes the organization feel more like family.

Her advice to fellow photographers:
Don’t wait for the big awards or viral moments. Celebrate the everyday victories—they’re the ones that keep the passion going.

Help us celebrate Michelle in the comments!

03/27/2026

We’re excited to welcome JB Frame & Design as a vendor at our Focus Forward PPI Annual Convention!

Jeff, a top professional framer right here in Iowa, is known for his incredible craftsmanship and exceptional customer service for photographers. He understands how important every detail is when it comes to presenting your work—and it shows.

From preserving your clients’ most meaningful moments to elevating your final presentation, JB Frame & Design delivers quality you can count on.

Be sure to stop by their booth, meet Jeff, and see how the right finishing touch can take your work to the next level.

Let’s learn, connect, and create—together.

03/20/2026

Focus Forward is almost here!

What are YOU most excited for?
Learning? Awards ceremony? Seeing your photo friends?

Tell us below and tag a friend you want to see there!

03/19/2026

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Pat Miller

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder than ever in your photography business… but not seeing the financial momentum you want this session is for you.

At Focus Forward 2026, we’re excited to have Pat Miller, host of the Professional Photographer Podcast, bringing a powerful keynote designed specifically for photographers who are ready to work smarter, not just harder.

Pat’s talk, “More Money Less Work: Action Steps Toward Small Business Freedom,” dives into the real business moves that separate struggling studios from thriving ones—like niching down, building a specialty that commands premium pricing, and creating systems that generate revenue without burning you out.

Expect practical takeaways, honest conversation about the realities of running a photography business, and clear next steps you can actually implement.

Because the goal isn’t just to stay busy…
It’s to build a business that gives you freedom, profit, and longevity.

📅 April 10–13, 2026
📍 Hotel Millwright | Amana, Iowa

Focus Forward brings together photographers who want to grow their craft, their businesses, and their community through hands-on learning, inspiring speakers, and meaningful connection.

If you’re ready to rethink how your photography business works for you, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

👉 Learn more + register: www.ppiowa.com

03/19/2026

Registration is Open for Focus Forward

Join us for Focus Forward, PPI’s upcoming convention designed to inspire, educate, and connect photographers from across Iowa and the Midwest.

Whether you’re refining your craft, growing your business, or looking to build stronger connections within the photography community, Focus Forward is built to help you take your next step. You’ll experience hands-on learning, inspiring speakers, meaningful networking, and time to connect with industry vendors who support photographers every day.

From new faces to seasoned pros, this event is a chance to learn, share ideas, and grow alongside a community that understands the power of photography.

Register now and be part of the conversations, creativity, and connections that move our industry forward.

Focus Forward Convention
Learn. Connect. Create.
www.ppiowa.com

03/18/2026

📣 New Speaker Announcement: Makayla Harris

We’re excited to welcome Makayla Harris to the Focus Forward 2026 speaker lineup! Makayla will be diving into one of the most important (and sometimes intimidating) parts of running a photography business: In-Person Sales.

If you’ve ever wondered how photographers turn a great session into a profitable one, or how to confidently guide clients through ordering artwork they truly love, this session is going to be packed with insight. Think smarter sales conversations, stronger client experiences, and strategies that help your work actually pay off.

Because let’s be honest…
Taking beautiful photos is only half the job. Building a sustainable business around them is the real game.

At Focus Forward, our goal is to bring photographers together to grow creatively and professionally through real education, community, and connection.

📅 April 10–13, 2026
📍 Hotel Millwright | Amana, Iowa

Focus Forward is built for photographers who want more than just inspiration they want practical tools to grow their craft and their business.

Stay tuned for more details on Makayla’s session… and trust us, if you’ve been wanting to level up your sales game, you won’t want to miss this one.

👉 Learn more + register: www.ppiowa.com

03/17/2026

What if the problem with your photography business isn’t how hard you’re working… but how it’s structured?

We recently sat down with Focus Forward speaker Pat Miller, host of the Professional Photographer Podcast, to talk about his upcoming keynote “More Money Less Work.”

In this conversation, Pat shares insights on why so many photographers feel stuck trading time for dollars and the business shifts that can help you earn more while reclaiming your time.

If you’ve ever thought:
• Why does running a photography business feel so exhausting?
• How do some photographers charge more and work less?
• Is there a smarter way to build this thing?

You’ll want to watch this.

🎥 Watch the interview here ↓
https://youtu.be/pRpkHk7le3U

Then come hear Pat speak live at Focus Forward 2026.

📸 Focus Forward is a photography convention designed for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who want education, inspiration, and real connection with others in the industry.

🗓 April 10–13, 2026
📍 Hotel Millwright | Amana, Iowa

🎟 Learn more or grab your ticket:
www.ppiowa.com

In this interview, Jaimy sits down with Focus Forward speaker Pat Miller to talk about his upcoming keynote “More Money Less Work: Action Steps Toward Small ...