Have you always dreamed of speaking at the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference? It is, after all, the world’s largest and most popular photo show! Right now—and up until May 7—the WPPI team has posted a call for speakers and is accepting seminar proposals.

Some of the best and brightest photographers and educators in the world speak at WPPI, including Lindsay Adler, Anesha Collins, Michelle Celentano, Chip Dizárd, Susan Stripling, Chris Knight, Jerry Ghionis, Gurvir Johal, Cliff Mautner, Charmi Patel-Peña, Jen Rozenbaum, Caroline Tran, Roberto Valenzuela, Audrey Woulard and Johnson Wee. The WPPI speaker experience is a unique and special one, which is why so many apply to come back and speak year after year. WPPI is family; WPPI is community.

Of course, it takes a lot to get up on stage in front of hundreds of attendees and teach them, even when you know your material inside out. New York wedding photographer Will Cadena, a seasoned photographer and speaker, says he will sometimes change his presentation right up to a few hours before getting up on stage. “Crazy, I know,” he admits. “I’m hoping I am not the only one who does that!”

The important thing to remember about speaking at WPPI is to be prepared before you get on stage. Wedding photographer and cinematographer Anesha Collins is, she says, a big-time organizer who is big on preparation and using templates.

Seth Miranda, who has assisted on set in the past for legendary photographer Joe McNally, spoke at WPPI this year on taking creative exposures. His special-effects photography is extremely unique and impactful, and, as he puts it, “it’s truly exciting to speak at WPPI. It gets my voice out there, and it’s great to see attendees leave my workshops amped and psyched.”

The most important thing to remember is that if you are going to speak at WPPI, don’t wing it! And remember to breathe!

The way to get started is to first submit your class proposal. Rangefinder recently chatted with content director Arlene Evans about what it takes to be considered as an instructor at WPPI and what topics she is looking for speakers to present:

Rangefinder: How do photographers pitch class ideas to you for WPPI?
Arlene Evans: They can send up to three class ideas through our online form that allows them to fill in the titles and descriptions of talks they want to present on.

RF: What class categories are you looking to fill?
AE: We have seven tracks, and they’re broad enough to allow instructors to submit many different sub-topics as well. The main tracks are as follows: Business and Marketing, Filmmaking/Video/Drone, Inspirational, Lighting and Posing, Portrait, Post-Production and Workflow, and Wedding.

RF: How do you gauge what makes a good speaker?
AE: Normally, we ask new applicants to submit a video describing the class they would like to teach, but this year we’re asking return applicants to do the same. It allows us to see a little bit of their personalities as well as their enthusiasm for the topic. We want speakers to engage with their students and love what they’re teaching.

RF: In the submission form, do speakers need to designate whether they want to do a Platform (now called Seminar), Master, Photo Walk, etc. or do you decide that? 
AE: They have the opportunity to choose the type of class they feel would work best, but if we think a topic would work better as a smaller class or even a Photo Walk, we will contact them to see if they’re comfortable with our suggestion. We are especially looking for hands-on and interactive sessions.

RF: How many years do you need to be in business full time to be considered? 
AE: An instructor should be in business long enough to have had experience with their content. Most speakers have been in business for at least five years and have spoken on the local or national level.

To be considered as an instructor, you have to create compelling and relevant educational content, engage with your attendees and hold their attention for the duration of your session.

RF: What should applicants do to make their videos stand out?
AE: Show your personality! And along with that, let us know that you’re passionate about your topic and can give students relevant knowledge that they can take back and implement in their businesses right away.

RF: Is there anything else you want to add? 
AE: I just want to thank everyone for applying. And please stay safe and healthy!

Arlene Evans is the content producer for WPPI. Previously, she was head of the photography channel at CreativeLive, and before that the Director of WPPI. Email her at [email protected].