Winter Conference Austin

Program

The program will be available soon.

Register

Registration opens December 15, 2025 through this link. Read instructions carefully.

Classes

ATPI will offer 90-minute in-depth classes Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Students and teachers should select two classes, plus two alternates, and fill in this information through the online registration form. Classes are identified as A – recommended for Advanced students, B – Recommended for Beginning students, C – Recommended for All students, T – Teacher-Only session.

H101 – Tips and Tricks for Digital Imaging (B)
Learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop, such as dodging, burning, color correction, file formats, etc. Designed for students or teachers who have limited experience with Photoshop. Materials: none

H102 – Senior Portrait Photography (C)
Senior year. Making memories one photo at a time. Learn how to make unique and creative senior portraits that capture every individual and their personality, and earn money while doing it. Materials: none

H103 – Advanced Editing Workflow (A)
Use Adobe Bridge and Photoshop to create an efficient workflow process for online and print publications. Learn how to manage, edit and maintain photos from the camera to the page. Materials: USB drive with at least 10 photos

H104 – Painting With Light (C)
Light. The raw material of photography. Come learn to use it as an artist uses oil paints to create their masterpieces. Materials: digital camera, black/dark clothing

H105 – Environmental Portrait (C)
Take your subject out of a sterile environment and put him or her into an environment that tells us something about the subject. Go on location to see how to get the most out of a portrait situation. Materials: camera

H106 – Design and Composition (B)
After a brief discussion of photographic design and aesthetics, you’ll participate in a walking tour on the ACC-Northridge campus to examine ways of seeing photographically. Materials: camera

H107 – Studio Portraiture (A)
Lighting styles and lighting quality, posing tips and working with subjects in a formal studio setting will all be covered. Materials: camera

H108 – Food Photography Hacks (C)
Food always looks so yummy and perfect in commercial photos, but how do they do that? All secrets will be revealed in this tabletop hands-on workshop focused on commercial food photography and the tricks of the trade used to make food look like the superstar every time. Materials: digital camera, tripod (optional)

H109 – Off Camera Flash – Small Light, Big Impact (A)
Learn Off Camera Flash where you control the light with camera settings and small flashes. You will learn the process and devices needed where your creativity is your only limit. Materials: Canon digital camera (the class will be working with Speedlights, so Canon cameras are required)

H110 – Mastering Audio for Film and Video (C)
Fast paced review of key concepts in recording and editing sound and music for video production. Covering different mic types and techniques, proper gain staging, dynamics control, parametric equalization and mixing. Materials: Bring any audio recording equipment you have available to you, and ideally bring a project with dialogue and music you can manipulate in the editing software of your choice.

H111 – Working with Shutter Speeds (B)
Blurring motion. Stopping motion. Panning. From Eadweard Muybridge’s photos of a horse running to today’s bursting ballons here is your chance to experiment with some of these techniques. Materials: camera and tripod

H112 – AI and Photojournalism (C)
Artificial intelligence is changing every facet of a photographer’s job from doing background research to editing. In this session, we’ll explore how photographers can use AI as well as the legal and ethical aspects of AI particularly in photojournalism. Materials: Photographers should have a generative AI tool such as Adobe Firefly accessible on the portable computers they bring with them

H113 – Mixed Media Photography (C)
Discover the creative possibilities that happen when photography meets mixed media! In this class, students will explore how to transform their photographs into expressive works of art by combining digital and traditional art techniques. Using photography as a starting point, students will experiment with collage, paint, drawing, and other materials to create layered, one-of-a-kind images. Materials: participants will be asked to email some JPEG images to the instructor prior to the conference so that they can be printed for the class

H114 – Lighting on Location (B)
Get the perfect lighting whether dealing with the bright sun of a daytime football game to the night lights of the city. Learn how to control the lighting by balancing available light with fill flash as well as slow/rear curtain sync flash or how to avoid the use of flash at all with techniques for supplementing existing light. Materials: digital SLR and external electronic flash

H115 – Studio Lighting Bootcamp (B)
Interested in using strobe photography to take portraits but don’t know where to start? In this bootcamp, students will start with a one-light set up and add lights one at a time to create a classic three-light portrait. Students will also get the chance to experiment with two different types of lighting equipment available for the studio and beyond. Work with different types of light modifiers and experiment with how they change the look of a photo. Materials: digital camera, tripod (optional)

Contests

Check out the pre-conference and on-site contests available for students and teachers.

Speak

Sign up to teach a session at the Winter Conference.

H116 – Working with Models (C)
Learn techniques for posing a model and working with light to capture the best portrait or advertising photograph. Materials: digital camera

H117 – DIY Photo Zines (C)
Students will learn how to create their own 1-sheet photo zine using their photography and creative design skills. Through exploration of layout, sequencing, and storytelling, students will discover how to turn their images into a cohesive visual narrative. Materials:laptop, folder with 10-15 photos, Optional: magazines/newspaper

H118 – Social Media for Photographers (C)
Learn how to use Twitter/X, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media tools to promote yourself, your work or your business. Materials: smartphone with these apps installed

H119 – Photographing in a Tiny World (C)
Learn how to capture the essence of tiny scenes by immersing yourself in little magical setups. Lighting, compositional, prop sourcing and styling techniques will take your skills to a level larger than life. Materials: 18-55mm kit lenses are perfect for this workshop, zoom lenses and primes over 50mm are not ideal. Tripods are helpful but are not required.

H120 – Architectural Photography (B)
Go out into the field and learn some of the skills required for photographing architectural interiors and exteriors. Materials: digital camera

H121 – Class Hacks (T)
Whether you’re a new or veteran photo teacher, sometimes you need new ideas to bring to the classroom. In this class, teachers will swap lessons that have worked and advice on managing programs. Materials: Participants will be asked to share questions and ideas prior to the conference so they can be shared out

Featured Sessions from the RTF Department at Austin Community College
The faculty and staff of the Radio-Television-Film Department at Austin Community College is proud to show off their facilities in this selection of courses. Students registering for these classes will be able to use the same equipment and studios as the college students. No open toed shoes, high heels or hard soled shoes can be worn in the studios or labs. No food or drink in any of the facilities.

H122 – And Now the Weather… (C)
Multicam Live-to-Tape Production with Chromakey: Learn all the jobs in a TV live-to-tape production from TV cameras, audio board, graphics and the Ross Carbonite Video Switcher to record a mock news – weather segment that involves chroma key. Materials: none, but studio rules (no open toed shoes, no food or drink) enforced

H123 – Fix the Film Fight with Foley (C)
Recording Audio Effects: Explore one of the most fun parts of film and video post-production: adding sound effects and replacing dialogue in a scene. In this hands-on session in the RTF/ATI Foley Studio, learn how to record diegetic sound elements that enhance the “reelness” of your story.  Materials: none, but studio rules (no open toed shoes, no food or drink) enforced

H124 – What’s Up Doc (C)
Best Practices for Filming Documentaries Discover the art and craft of filming impactful stories of everyday life. This discussion explores how film and videography documentaries are similar and different from photo journalism. Materials: none, but studio rules (no open toed shoes, no food or drink) enforced

Featured Sessions from Photography + Visual Media at Austin Community College
Photography + Visual Media is producing a select group of courses that showcase what their program offers to creatives interested in photography and visual media. Students learn the skills and dexterity needed to have a meaningful career and creative practice. Join us for a day in the life of a Photography + Visual Media student by registering for our workshops.

H125 – Analog Dreams + The Instant Portrait (C)
Use a Polaroid SX-70 and Polaroid Originals instant film, gels and studio strobe lighting to produce eye catching photographs. Materials: none

H126 – High-Speed Sync: Crafting Cinematic Action Shot (C)
Step into the world of high-speed sync on cinematic sets! In this course, you’ll learn how to capture motion like a pro, freezing epic moments on set with precision and style. Using high-speed sync, we’ll create dynamic, cinematic scenes that bring action to life in ways you’ve never seen before. Forget the usual setup—this is all about getting hands-on and experimenting with one of photography’s most exciting techniques. Materials: none

H127 – Rock the Booth: ’90s Grunge & Glamour (C)
Step into the heart of ‘90s rock with our photobooth experience! Capture your inner rockstar with props and backdrops inspired by the grunge, alternative, and raw energy of the ‘90s music scene. From Nirvana to Pearl Jam, this is your chance to freeze a moment in time and channel the authentic vibe of an era that redefined music and style. Strike your best pose and make some rock ‘n’ roll memories! Materials: none