BIG SKY IN FOCUS

April 17-18, 2026 at the Roosevelt Center

RED LODGE, MONTANA

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

The Conference Features:

Big Sky in Focus is Montana's annual professional photography conference. Each year it is held in a different part of the Treasure State. The conference is a great time to network with other professional photographers, learn from experts in the field, party with old friends and make new ones.

Annual business meeting - Noon, April 18.
Two days of seminars with Masters-level or higher photographers and speakers
Equipment swap and buy
Raffles, Drawings and Giveaways!
Annual banquet and image print competition awards

Friday Speaker and Presentation

Friday - 9am; Fitness Photography

Friday - 1pm; Event And Wedding Lighting

Lauren Delvechhio

Lauren is a Certified Professional Photographer based out of Farmingdale, Maine and served on the Board for the Maine Professional Photographers Association for several years. She is also a member of the Professional Photographers of America. She opened LAD Photography in 2004, and photographs boudoir, fitness, headshots, and families, but specializes in weddings, high school seniors and fine art.

Fitness Photography - Learn how to expand your business by offering a genre of photography that can bring you an entirely new client base! Fitness photography is new and upcoming, and your studio just may be the only one in a hundred miles to offer it, giving your studio an edge that others don't have.

This workshop will give you knowledge in posing, lighting, and photographing people for fitness sessions. Bringing out the muscle tone in these individuals is essential for success, which means lighting them properly is key. Not only will there be lighting instruction, but you will be able to watch as Lauren walks you through posing a fitness model as well.

Event and Wedding Lighting - This class is designed to teach the basics and not-so-basics of event lighting. You’ll learn from the top Maine wedding photographer how to read the lighting in the space you’re given, placement of lights, the use of modifiers for OCF, how to use gels for color correction and creativity, and how to create powerful images that set you apart. A hands-on portion of the class will show you exactly how to change the look of a room with some simple lighting set-ups. Discover how to have the power to create more impactful images, wowing your clients, and improving your bottom line.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is the conference?: Each year the conference is held in a different part of Montana. The 2026 Conference will be held in Red Lodge, MT at the Roosevelt Center.
What are the dates?: April 17 & 18, 2026
How do I sign up?: Registration will open in January of 2026.
Can I bring a spouse?: Yes! Spouses are welcome. All attendees of the conference educational sessions must pay the conference rate. Guests may purchase banquet only tickets, prices will be announced later in the year when registration opens.
What are the hotel accommodations?: We reserved rooms and rates a at the Quality Inn and Pollard Hotel. Make sure to mention the Montana PPA Conference when you book your room.
Do you have a cancellation policy?: Yes. Cancellation policy will be clarified at the time of registration.
When does the conference end?: The conference concludes at approximate 8pm on the 18th following the annual banquet dinner and awards presentation.

HOTEL INFORMATION

We have secured rates at two different hotels in Red Lodge.

Quality Inn - Red Lodge

The Pollard Hotel

Please reference Montana Professional Photographers Association Conference when making your reservation.

Bozeman Camera Raffle

We are having a raffle!! Tickets will go on sale in December!! All funds will be used towards continuing to provide educational opportunities at our Annual Big Sky In Focus Convention and other educational events throughout the year.

1st Prize

$1000 Bozeman Camera Gift Card

2nd Prize

$500 Bozeman Camera Gift Card

3rd Prize

$250 Bozeman Camera Gift Card

Tickets are $25/each or 5/$100. Drawing will be held April 18th, 2025 at our Big Sky In Focus Convention in Red Lodge, MT. Need not be present to win.

Purchase Ticket Below through our website store

or

through Venmo @MONTANAPPA