Photo Palooza Portfolio Experience

Small-Group Luxury Styled Shoot Conference
at Semiahmoo Resort

Shoot yacht, editorial sets, and guided portfolio sessions — and leave with content you can actually use.

May 31st–June 3rd, 2026 • Limited Seats • Official Room Block Available
Designed for photographers ready to elevate their portfolio
Semiahmoo Resort • Washington Coast
Secure Your Seat
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

Here’s what makes Photo Palooza different

Destination energy + real shooting + real community — with VIP upgrades available.

Semiahmoo Resort aerial view
RESORT WEEKEND
A destination worth traveling for
Semiahmoo Resort + waterfront views + a full creative reset.
Hands-on shooting and direction
HANDS-ON SHOOTING
Two full days of shooting + direction
Live demos, guided shooting, and portfolio-ready takeaways.
Connect and create with photographers
CONNECT + CREATE
You won’t do this alone
Meet photographers, shoot together, and leave inspired.
VIP experiences at Photo Palooza
VIP EXPERIENCES
Elevated moments + limited upgrades
Exclusive shoots and premium add-ons (VIP only).
View Tickets & Reserve
VIP nearly full • Small-group Standard spots remain

Ready to Create Content?

✓ Instructor-led sessions + live demonstrations
✓ Guided shooting with real-time direction
✓ Small groups (hands-on, not crowded)
✓ Styled environments + working models
Key takeaway

Every session is designed to produce portfolio-ready results — not “practice shots.”

READY WHEN YOU ARE
Two full days of guided shooting, real feedback, and portfolio-building sessions at a luxury waterfront resort located just minutes from the border.
Reserve Your Spot →
Limited group sizes keep the shooting experience hands-on.
Traveling from Canada? Semiahmoo Resort is minutes from the border — with many photographers driving from Vancouver, Abbotsford, White Rock and Surrey, BC.
A person sits by the water at sunset, with a warm golden sky and calm reflective water in the background.
Woman in a stylish outfit stands on a beach at sunset, with vibrant orange sky and calm sea in the background.
The Experience

You’re based at a luxury waterfront resort with guided shooting, styled environments, and time built in to slow down, recharge, and connect.

Evenings are intentionally unstructured — time to connect, review images, and recharge.

DESIGNED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WANT:
✓Beginners seeking guidance
✓Hobbyists ready to level up
✓Hands-on learners
✓Creatives who want intention
YOU’LL LEAVE WITH:
✓Portfolio-ready images
✓On-location confidence
✓Experience working with models
✓Creative clarity
Two women on a beach under a pier, one holding a camera, both casually dressed.
Photographer directing a model in a studio, with a lighting reflector and a tennis ball on the floor.
Person in a white shirt standing in shallow water under a pier, facing away.
Woman in a white dress playing a guitar, sitting outdoors on a sunny day, with a basket nearby.
Featured sessions

Portfolio-building sessions that deliver.

Want to see exactly what you’ll learn? View full session descriptions →
Francisco Joel Hernandez
Francisco Joel Hernandez
Creating Depth with Flash

Cleaner light and depth you can apply immediately.

Sondra LaRay Miltenberger
Sondra LaRay Miltenberger
Wedding Workflow + Real-World Problem Solving

Real wedding scenarios + confident direction under pressure.

Simon Diez
Simon Diez
Small-Space Studio Portraits

Strong portraits from simple, repeatable setups.

Paulina Gwaltney
Paulina Gwaltney
Styling + Posing with Horses

Direct with confidence and create editorial equine work that stands out.

Want to explore the full session lineup?
Explore the full class breakdown + session descriptions.

View full session descriptions
SPEAKERS

More hands-on sessions that deliver

Practical, usable results — not theory.

More speakers are coming. We’re finalizing the remaining lineup now.
Elle Sanders
Elle Sanders
Boudoir Photographer
Hands-on + Live Demo
Boudoir Under the Boardwalk: Creating Art That Sells
The 15-image formula behind five-figure boudoir sales.
Joe Baker
Joe Baker
High School Senior Photographer
Hands-on + Live Demo
Seniors + OCF: From Demo to Do-It-Yourself
Simple off-camera flash setups you can repeat immediately.
Iven Holt
Iven Holt
AI & Photography Educator
Hands-on + Live Demo
AI for Photographers: Practical Workflows That Save Time
Streamline your workflow — without losing your style.
Chris & Brandy Gronde
Chris & Brandy Gronde
High School Senior Photographers
Hands-on + Live Demo
Mood Board to Money: Executing Styled Senior Sessions That Sell
Plan, style, and execute senior sessions that look editorial — and sell.
Rabih Madi
Rabih Madi
Wedding Photographer
Hands-on + Live Demo
Hard Light… Made Easy! Turning Chaos into Creative Control
Take control of harsh light and unpredictable conditions — and still deliver polished images.
Reserve Your Spot

“This was the best investment I’ve made in my photography journey so far. The location was beautiful, we had plenty of time to shoot, and Kyla provided clear, hands-on instruction while we experimented with lighting and equipment.”

— Past Photo Palooza Attendee

Dates
May 31–June 2
Location
Semiahmoo Resort
Blaine, WA
Included
Models, guided shooting, direction
Group Size
Intentionally limited
Lodging
Discounted room block
Reserve Your Spot

What You’ll Learn

Designed for beginner to intermediate photographers, this experience combines clear instruction with guided shooting so you apply what you learn in real time.

Boudoir Lighting & Posing

Shape flattering light, guide body angles, and create confident, elegant boudoir images.

Wedding-Style Portraits

Practice clean, timeless posing and lighting for couples, bridal, and editorial work.

Senior Portrait Systems

Build repeatable posing flows that create natural expression and variety.

Lighting Made Simple

Control direction, softness, and contrast using natural light and simple setups.

Posing & Styling That Sells

Use wardrobe, fabric, color, and posing to elevate the final image.

AI for Photographers

Learn practical AI tools for culling, editing speed, and workflow efficiency.

How you’ll learn: brief instruction → live demos → guided shooting → real-time feedback.
Two people on a sandy beach under a pier, engaged in conversation. Sunlight creates striped patterns on the sand.
Woman in red swimsuit lying on a mat under a pier, with sunlight filtering through the wooden beams.
What You’ll Create
Portfolio-ready work — not practice shots.
Finished Images
Usable portfolio pieces you can post, pitch, and print.
Lighting Confidence
Hands-on time to dial in lighting with expert guidance.
Direction + Posing
Real-time coaching while you shoot.
A Clear Portfolio Story
Work that feels intentional, elevated, and on-brand.
Reserve Your Spot
Silhouettes of people holding cameras against a sunset over a calm ocean.

“This experience changed how I shoot. I left with portfolio-ready images and real confidence.”

Photographer • Photo Palooza Attendee
Photo Palooza PNW • Semiahmoo Resort

Build a Standout Portfolio — Surrounded by Creatives

Three immersive days at a luxury waterfront resort with guided shooting, styled environments, and a creative experience designed for photographers who want more.

Reserve Your Spot at Photo Palooza
Limited group sizes • Small rotations • Luxury resort experience