The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference has announced a major coup for its 2026 event, securing world-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz as the keynote presenter. The conference is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas from March 1 through March 5, 2026, marking what appears to be a significant effort by organizers to restore WPPI's prominence in the photography industry.
This announcement represents a strategic move by WPPI to reclaim its position as a leading photography conference in the United States. The event was once considered one of the top two most influential in-person photography gatherings in the country and held the distinction of being the most important on the West Coast. Along with Photo Plus, WPPI was traditionally viewed as a must-attend event for serious photographers.
However, both conferences experienced declining influence even before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted in-person events. Photo Plus eventually collapsed, as did Create NYC, which was an attempt by organizers to revive the former conference. WPPI managed to survive these challenging times and now appears determined not just to exist, but to thrive once again.
The impact of bringing Leibovitz to WPPI cannot be overstated in the photography world. "Few artists have shaped modern photography the way Annie Leibovitz has for more than five decades, and we are honored to have her as our keynote presenter to open WPPI 2026," said Sally Sargood, Vice President of Photo Group at Emerald, the company that produces the annual conference and trade show. "Her work has inspired generations of photographers, and the opportunity to hear from her live at WPPI 2026 is something our community will never forget. She's the perfect person to kick off a conference built around creativity, passion, and the future of our industry."
Leibovitz's appearance is just one component of WPPI's comprehensive plan to revamp its offerings starting next year. The organizers have promised substantial expansions to their programming, including 25 additional seminars and 50 more speakers than previous years. They are also introducing a new "Future in Photography" course designed to address emerging trends and technologies in the field.
Another significant addition to the conference format will be a series of intensive one-day courses called "Summits." These specialized sessions will focus on key areas of professional photography, including business development, marketing strategies, portraiture techniques, lighting mastery, boudoir photography, and wedding photography. This targeted approach reflects the conference's commitment to providing practical, actionable education for working photographers.
WPPI's leadership emphasized their commitment to adapting to the rapidly changing photography landscape. "As the photography world rapidly evolves, shaped by new technologies, new tools, and new ways of creating, WPPI is committed to developing new educational initiatives to empower its most important resource – its community," the organization stated. "At its core, WPPI is a place where creativity grows through shared ideas conducted face-to-face and continues well beyond a five-day conference."
The organizers are positioning WPPI as more than just an annual event, describing it as "a year-round platform for photographers to learn, grow, and lead the future of photography together." This vision suggests a broader strategy to create an ongoing community rather than limiting engagement to the conference dates. Registration for WPPI 2026 is currently open, and the photography community is already showing significant interest in what promises to be a landmark event for the industry.
