Oregon Professional Photographers Association upcoming events

The Business Blueprint (11/18/2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The Business Blueprint

with Katie Swatek

Weds, Nov 18 from 6-9pm Pacific
This workshop is VIRTUAL!
Zoom link will be sent to registrants on the day of the event.

Successful photography businesses aren't built by accident. They're built through intentional decisions that create lasting impact, meaningful client relationships, and sustainable profit.

In this program, Katie Swatek shares the four foundational pillars that have shaped her award-winning boutique photography business in a town of fewer than 700 people. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, you'll learn how to define what sets you apart, connect with the clients you truly want to serve, market with purpose, and price with confidence.

Rather than chasing trends or competing on price, you'll discover how every part of your business can work together to build trust, elevate the client experience, and create long-term profitability.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine an established business, you'll leave with practical ideas you can implement immediately to strengthen your brand, improve your client experience, and build a business that supports both your life and your goals.

Attendees will learn:

• How to differentiate themselves in any market

• How to identify and attract their ideal clients

• Marketing strategies that build trust before the first conversation

• Creating an experience clients happily invest in

• Pricing with confidence and intention

• Small changes that lead to significant increases in profitability

About Your Speaker:

Katie Swatek

M.P

Katie Swatek is the owner of Katie Swatek Photography, a boutique senior portrait studio based in the small town of Lake Andes, South Dakota. Known for creating dynamic senior and sports portraits through intentional lighting and an elevated client experience, she has built an award-winning, low-volume, high-profit business that draws clients from across the region.

Katie's work has been featured in national publications, and she has earned recognition through print competition, including being named SYNC Photographer of the Year. She regularly teaches at photography conferences, workshops, and affiliate organizations across the country, where she shares practical, real-world strategies photographers can implement immediately.

Passionate about helping photographers build businesses with purpose, clarity, and confidence, Katie's programs combine proven business strategies with honest insight and actionable education. Whether she's teaching marketing, client experience, pricing, or offcamera lighting, her goal is simple: to help photographers create businesses that are both personally fulfilling and financially sustainable.

When she isn't behind the camera or speaking on stage, Katie enjoys life with her husband, three children, and the small-town community that continues to inspire her work. She believes exceptional businesses aren't defined by their zip code, but by the experience they create and the relationships they build.

November Lunch & Learn (11/23/2026)

Mon, 23 Nov 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Lunch & Learn November: Secrets of a Century-Old Business

Date: Monday, November 23, 2026
Time: 12-1:30pm
Location: Studio in Oregon City
No cost for members! Please register so we know how many to expect.

Bring your lunch, chat with friends, and learn and be inspired!

What does it take for a portrait studio to thrive for more than a century? Holly Peterson, fourth-generation owner of The Ball Studio, shares the enduring principles and practical decisions that have kept her family’s photography studio relevant since 1912.

Drawing on 114 years of experience, Holly explores how to adapt to changing markets without losing your identity, build relationships that bring clients back across generations, communicate the value of portraiture, and distinguish your studio in a crowded marketplace. This program offers photography studio owners fresh ideas for creating a profitable studio—and a legacy worth preserving.

About the Speaker:
Holly Peterson, AFP-OR

Holly Peterson, AFP-OR, is the fourth-generation owner and photographer of The Ball Studio in Corvallis, Oregon. Established in 1912, The Ball Studio is a family-owned portrait studio with a remarkable 114-year history. Holly has photographed more than 4,000 families and is the author of The Art of the Family Portrait.

A longtime member of Professional Photographers of America and Oregon PPA, Holly has been recognized with the Associate Fellow distinction, the Service to the Industry Award, Lifetime Membership status, and OPPA Mentor of the Year. She brings a lifetime of experience in portrait photography, client relationships, studio reinvention, and sustaining a family enterprise to her presentations.

2026 Member Appreciation Reception (12/01/2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 02:30:00 GMT

You’re Invited!

OPPA Annual Member Appreciation Reception--FREE for all members!

Join us for a special in-person evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration as we celebrate all our members. This is a night you won’t want to miss!

✨ Evening Highlights:

Social Hour – 6:30 PM
Catch up with friends, connect with fellow photographers, and kick off the night in style.
Food Served – 7:00 PM
Enjoy a delicious spread of heavy hors d’oeuvres and decadent desserts, included with your registration.
Presentation – 7:30 PM
The celebration begins with a Year in Review, a look back at the milestones and memorable moments that shaped OPPA this year.
- Hear from our Incoming Board as they share their vision for the year ahead.
- Celebrate Member Achievements and honor outstanding contributions to our community.
- Scholarship Announcements recognizing and supporting the growth of our members.
- Annual Competition Awards — cheer on the winners and celebrate artistic excellence.
- ✨ And more surprises throughout the evening!

Let’s come together to celebrate OPPA, the talented individuals who make it thrive, and the exciting road ahead.