AIM Conference

  • Full Conference

    Full Conference

    Join us for the full Animal Image Makers Conference kicking off Thursday evening (April 13, 2023) at 7:00pm with the opening party. The conference will conclude Sunday evening (April 16, 2023) at 10:00pm after the closing party and image competition awards. Full registration includes the parties, Friday, Saturday and Sunday seminars, and trade show.


  • Tradeshow Pass (included in the full conference)

    Tradeshow Pass (included in the full conference)

    Not attending the full conference but want to check out the trade show? Get a ticket to access the trade show Saturday afternoon (April 15, 2023) from 12:00pm-6:00pm (included in full conference registration). Tickets are complimentary, but we DO need a headcount in addition to the full conference registrants, so get your ticket here! Check out all the details for the trade show here: https://animalimagemakers.com/trade-show

    **I.E. This registration is for local attendees or those bringing a spouse or family member who will not attend the full conference.


  • Saturday Evening with Ronan Ryle (included in the full conference)

    Saturday Evening with Ronan Ryle (included in the full conference)

    Open to the public! Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Ronan Ryle will be traveling from Ireland to help us learn "The 4-Essentials To Creating A Sustainable, Profitable Pet Portrait Business." Tickets are complimentary, but are limited, so only those people with tickets will be seated. (Included in full conference registration.)

    Details: https://animalimagemakers.com/ryleronan

    **I.E. This registration is for local attendees or those bringing a spouse or family member who will not attend the full conference.


  • Saturday Evening Wildlife Speaker Darrell Gulin (included in the full conference)

    Saturday Evening Wildlife Speaker Darrell Gulin (included in the full conference)

    The public is welcome to join the full conference registrants for a wildlife photography seminar with Canon Explorer of Light Darrell Gulin on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 7:15-8:45pm to learn more about becoming a better photographer. Tickets are complimentary, but are limited, so only those people with tickets will be seated. (Included in full conference registration.)

    Details: https://animalimagemakers.com/gulindarrell

    **I.E. This registration is for local attendees or those bringing a spouse or family member who will not attend the full conference.


  • Wednesday, April 12 & Thursday, April 13, 2023
    9am-5pm
    Lunch will be included both days

    "Painting Animals With Photoshop" with Sandra Pearce

    The difference between traditional art and digital art are vast and varied. There is one common link, the knowledge and skill needed to create true art, regardless of the medium. Painting in Photoshop is an avenue for you to paint beautiful art pieces rather than attempting to learn a new program. Photoshop is where we feel comfortable and are already familiar with the tools. The learning curve is drastically decreased. The 2-day workshop will concentrate on the techniques of painting rather than learning a new program.

    We will be painting a bird on day one. You will learn the tools and how they are used to paint. There will also be an animal with fur. We will be painting animal eyes and show you what brings them alive. You will learn the techniques I use to make an ordinary image into a realistic or possibly make it a more whimsical creature. You will learn the short cuts and simple fixes for your retouching.

    Learn:

    •How to use the tools in Photoshop to paint
    •The use of painting in Photoshop to enhance regular retouching
    •How to paint animals

    Registrants should have working knowledge of Photoshop. Bring a laptop, your Wacom tablet, and images to practice with.

  • Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 9am-5pm. Lunch will be included.

    "Pet Photography & Photoshop: The Dream Team (Composites)" with Belinda Richards

    Come along for the adventure through creating composites. Explore the creative process from conception to finished masterpiece.

    Hear about innovative thought processes and how this has developed over the years. Discussing initial idea to full realization, you will be taken through the creative journey and how it is the dogs themselves that inspire and provoke art.

    See how subjects are captured and lit and learn the tricks used to get the expressions that form the basis of composites. Discuss the supporting elements of an image and the lighting techniques used to ensure a consistent result.

    Experience the Photoshop magic used to create the final vision, including favorite Photoshop tips and tricks and advanced editing practices.

  • Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 9am-12:30pm

    "Finding Light and Backdrops Anywhere" with Alex Cearns

    Join Alex for a classroom and practical walk around session with live dog models where she will show you how to find relevant backdrops and shooting spaces in any location using natural light and controlled lighting. You will learn how to examine an environment and area quickly to determine the best placement for your dog subjects, even in small spaces, and will be able to match your lens selection to each location.

  • Thursday, April 13, 2022 - 9:00am-12:30pm.

    "Sales and The Secret of the Album Upsell"

    The Secret of the Album Upsell

    This class focuses on the art of including albums in your product line and how to make your clients fall in love with albums that are designed uniquely for them. We will explore album selection, how to develop a product line that doesn't overwhelm your client and how to quickly design customized albums that your clients can't say no to and will help you stand out from your competition. Basic typography concepts, where to look for design inspiration and how to get your client involved in the design process will be discussed. Also included is a demonstration of designing album layouts in Photoshop that can be imported into Proselect to be used in high res production .

  • Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 1:30pm-5:00pm.

    "MIND YOUR BUSINESS!" with Alex Cearns

    A business pre-con by global pet photography coach Alex Cearns, covering confidence building, managing client expectations and dealing with bumps in the road. Many photographers (understandably) fall apart when a client isn't happy or provides negative feedback but there are ways you can train your brain to become resilient to this, to respond appropriately without emotion, and to ensure clients leave happy. You can’t run a successful business, and deal with
    people, without the strategies Alex will share!

  • Thursday, April 14, 2022 - 1:30pm-5:00pm.

    "Show Dogs: An Overview of Canine Breed Standards, Conformation, Breed Type, Structure and Movement. " with Laurie Gregory

    “Know Your Subject” has always been one of the Photographer Core Knowledge Pillars along with Camera Basics and Composition. Canine Structure and Movement in addition to Breed Type are subjects that can take years to develop an eye for. This workshop will give an overview of some of the defining points and terminology used. We will compare differences in form and function in several purposefully bred dog breeds. Once you learn some of the key points you will start to observe dogs in a whole new way. Knowledge of proper structure and movement will also be useful in photographing all pets to help them look their best in creating memories for their owners.


AIM 2023 T-Shirts

  • Choose Your Size

    Choose Your Size

    One shirt will be included with each full conference registration. Use this option to order *ADDITIONAL SHIRTS* to bring home for friends, family, or for yourself! These make great gifts.


Party Tickets

  • Opening Party

    Opening Party

    Are you bringing a spouse, friend or total stranger with you to AIM who would like to attend the opening party only? Grab an extra ticket or two here! Drink tickets, appetizers, networking and exclusive seats to the party are all included. (Party is INCLUDED with your full registration!)

    $35.00 ea.

  • Closing Party

    Closing Party

    Invite your spouse or friends (you shouldn't have strangers with you at this point of the conference - everyone will be a friend!) to enjoy dinner, drinks and the photographic competition awards ceremony during our closing party. (Party is INCLUDED with your full registration!)


Purchase ProtectionRECOMMENDED

Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)

Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:

Severe Illness and InjurySevere Illness and Injury
COVID-19COVID-19
HospitalizationHospitalization
Death in FamilyDeath in Family
Transportation FailureTransportation Failure
Crime and Home EmergencyCrime and Home Emergency
Employment ObligationsEmployment Obligations
Acts of NatureActs of Nature
Legal ObligationsLegal Obligations

Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, merchandise purchases and charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

Read Full Terms and Conditions

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Refunds will be available only if there is someone on the waiting list that can take your place. We highly encourage all registrants to opt-in to Purchase Protection. You MAY transfer your registration to someone else. There will be a $50 administration fee to transfer your registration. The AIM registration page will automatically create a waiting list once the registration allotment is full.

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