WPPI, the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International conference, is stepping up its game and is poised to put its name back into the minds of photographers. The organization has announced that the legendary Annie Leibovitz will be the keynote presenter at its 2026 show, taking place in Las Vegas from March 1 through March 5, 2026.
Once regarded as one of the top two most influential in-person events for photographers in the United States—and easily the most important on the West Coast—WPPI held a prominent position alongside Photo Plus. Both events were must-attend for industry professionals. However, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly impacted in-person gatherings, the importance of these events had started to wane. Photo Plus eventually collapsed, along with Create NYC, an unsuccessful attempt to revive it, but WPPI has managed to persist.
It appears that WPPI’s organizers are not content with merely existing; they are determined to put the show back on the map. The impact of bringing Annie Leibovitz to WPPI cannot be overstated. Sally Sargood, VP of Photo Group at Emerald—the company that produces the annual conference and trade show—shared her excitement:
“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. 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 is just one part of WPPI’s broader plan to revamp its offerings starting next year. The organizers promise:
– 25% more seminars
– 50% more speakers
– A new “Future in Photography” course
– A set of one-day courses called Summits, focusing on business, marketing, portraiture, lighting, boudoir, and wedding photography
“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,” WPPI states. “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. WPPI is a year-round platform for photographers to learn, grow, and lead the future of photography together.”
Registration for WPPI 2026 is now open. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this revitalized event and hear from one of the most influential photographers of our time.
https://petapixel.com/2025/10/17/annie-leibovitz-is-the-wppi-2025-keynote-speaker/
