Description
PhotoCon is coming to Kansas City for the very first time—and we’re bringing the Midwest’s biggest photography and imaging event with us. The Overland Park Convention Center will transform into a massive interactive trade show floor, buzzing with creativity, education, and community.
Thursday, March 19 - Saturday, March 21, 2026
Sheraton Overland Park at the Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a hands-on experience designed to fuel photographers, filmmakers, and content creators of every level. Whether you’re here to test-drive the newest gear, sharpen your skills, or connect with people who share your passion, PhotoCon Kansas City is your place.
Steve Sanders, Keynote Speaker
Steve Sanders is the Director of Photography and three time Super Bowl Champion for the Kansas City Chiefs Football Club. With over 30 years of covering the Chiefs and the last 15 in a full time roll, he has continued to evolve and excel with the changes in the photography industry. Before landing full time with a team, his diverse portfolio included weddings, portraits, events, commercial advertising, architecture, and food photography, this enabling him to bring a wealth of knowledge to every project. By fostering strong relationships with the team, Steve has earned trust both on and off the field, allowing him to capture exceptional images and achieve his career milestones.
Eli Infante, Keynote Speaker
Eli Infante is a passionate photographer and educator from the beautiful Rio Grande Valley! Eli well-known for his unique high-speed sync outdoor portraits and innovative lighting techniques in the studio that really make his work shine.
With over a decade of experience teaching photography at a local charter school, Eli has inspired countless students by nurturing their creativity and technical skills. But his impact doesn’t stop there! He reaches a global audience through interactive workshops, engaging speaking events, and a popular YouTube channel with more than 100,000 subscribers, where he shares tips and tricks for photographers of all levels.
View Our Lineup of Speakers
Check Out the Schedule of Events
Click to View Lodging Details Here
View More Expo Details at Photoconkc.com
EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026
Thursday Night FREE KC KICKOFF EXPERIENCE
Held at the KC Firestone Event Space (2001 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108)
We’re kicking off PhotoConKC with a completely free photography experience packed with creativity, community, and hands-on shooting - with a fully interactive creative environment featuring curated photo bays powered by Westcott Lighting and Babydream Backdrops, led by Eli Infante, Julie Gayler, Keydrin Franklin, Quinlyn Tosh, and Ryan Brown with professional models and portfolio-building sets.
Attendees can test and shoot with the latest gear from Fujifilm, Sony, Canon, Nikon, Tamron, and SIGMA.
Join the Fujifilm Photo Walk with local photographer Mike Tsai and enter the onsite print competition for a chance to win a Fujifilm X-Half camera. Print images at the Canon Printing Bay, enjoy a live DJ and dance showcase featuring local dancers, DJ FK Menace and Made Mobb, grab a bite from local favorites Tacos Ruby’s and Wings N Things, explore interactive selfie stations powered by PhotoBus KC, and take part in giveaways and community activations throughout the night.
Free. No registration required. Just show up and create.
This event is brought to you by Fujifilm and our sponsors Sony, Westcott Lighting, SIGMA, Nikon, Canon, Tamron, Babydream Backdrops, KC Firestone Events, PhotoBus KC, Bedford Camera and Video, and Coffee and Cameras KC.
Friday VIP Experience
Eli Infante & Keydrin Franklin
Outdoor Portraits with Off-Camera Flash - Photo Walk Experience (+ $50.00)
6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Overland Park Convention Center [ SKILL LEVEL - Beginner to Intermediate ]
Join Eli Infante and Keydrin Franklin for a guided photowalk focused on creating professional outdoor portraits using off-camera flash. Working with two live models on location and using Westcott lighting, you'll learn how to balance ambient light with flash, shape light for flattering portraits, and confidently shoot in real-world outdoor conditions.
This interactive session is designed to help photographers gain confidence using off-camera flash while building strong portfolio images. We'll share practical lighting setups, positioning techniques, and real-time problem-solving.
Julie Gayler & Niah Aldrich
Golden Hour: Studio Edition (+ $50.00)
6:00pm - 8:00pm (Meet in Courtyard 3)
Sometimes the sun doesn’t cooperate. And sometimes you’re ready to create something even better than what nature gives you. In this immersive VIP Photo Walk, Julie Gayler and Niah Aldrich show you how to recreate — and elevate — golden hour entirely in studio. Through three fully styled fashion-meets-fantasy sets, you’ll learn how to sculpt luminous, dimensional light that feels warm, cinematic, and intentional.
This isn’t just a demo. You’ll receive guided lighting breakdowns and hands-on shooting time, giving you both the technical understanding and the opportunity to create stunning, portfolio-ready images on the spot.
Lighting equipment, sets, and professional models are provided. With universal controller compatibility for a seamless workflow, Niah and Julie will be on set, offering direct guidance to help you shape the light and craft images with intention.
Brennen Nicole
Urban Motion (+ $50.00) 7:30pm - 9:30pm (Kansas City Union Station)
An exclusive 2-hour hands-on photo walk around historic Union Station and the Kansas City skyline. This VIP experience is designed for photographers who want to master long exposure techniques and capture dynamic car trails against iconic urban architecture.
You’ll learn:
- How to dial in settings for clean, vibrant light trails
- Composing downtown scenes for impact
- Balancing ambient light in urban night settings
- Focusing techniques after dark
- Simple adjustments that elevate your night images instantly
Steve Sanders
On Location Sports Photos (+ $50.00) 6:00pm - 8:00pm (Hotel Foyer)
Come learn how to work in a fast-paced sports environment. We will be working with two athletes on location, learning about off-camera lighting, reflectors, and gels. We will work on making a boring location fun.
Hands-On Gear Demos
Step up to the latest cameras, lenses, lighting, and accessories. Try them for yourself in real-world settings with expert guidance.
Portfolio-Building Sessions
Work with professional models and dynamic sets to capture images that elevate your portfolio and showcase your style.
Interactive Learning
Join live demos, photowalks, and workshops led by industry pros. Ask questions. Get feedback. Learn by doing.
Networking That Matters
From casual meetups to our PhotoCon Envoy events, you’ll connect with fellow photographers, models, and industry leaders who can help push your creative journey forward.
Kansas City is known for its vibrant arts culture, thriving creative scene, and Midwest energy that brings people together. Launching PhotoCon here means tapping into a community that values artistry, collaboration, and innovation. We’re excited to build something unforgettable with KC at the center.
Shipping & Returns
Returns Policy
Orders over $99.00 will receive free FedEx Ground shipping (typically 2-3 business day shipping) in the contiguous (lower- 48) United States. In stock orders placed after 1:00pm CST on weekdays will not ship until the next business day. Orders submitted online before 1:00pm CST, Monday - Friday will be processed that same day. though, this does not guarantee that your order will ship that same day. Orders are subject to verification and sometimes require additional information from the cardholder. These precautions are made with the card holder's interests in mind. We will attempt to reach the cardholder for up to five (5) working days after the order has initially gone through our verification department. After the allowed time, and if we are not able to verify the credit cardholders information, we will cancel and refund the pending order. Orders placed after 1:00pm CST Fridays will not ship until the following Monday. The $99 order total is calculated after all rebates and bundle discounts have been applied. Gift cards, duties, and taxes do not count towards the $99 order total. Our free shipping is available for orders completed using our online cart only, items ordered in store or by phone (approved by Bedford Executive Team members only) will not qualify for free shipping.
Your satisfaction is our number one priority. purchases made online will be gladly refunded or exchanged within 14 days of purchase with the exception of special orders, opened computer software. For your peace of mind and protection, bulbs, paper, inks and film may not be returned. Returned products are required to be in brand-new condition and must include the original, undamaged manufacturer's packaging with all packaging materials, including instruction booklets, packing inserts, plastic bags and the blank warranty cards. also, please include the original receipt with the product. Any items not meeting these requirements will be subject to a minimum of a 15% restocking fee at our discretion. As a convenience to you, any eligible online purchase may be returned to any Bedford Camera & Video location but for credit for the transaction will be issued in the form of the original payment method. Shipping or freight charges are nonrefundable. We cannot overnight batteries shipped by themselves, no exceptions. This includes camera batteries, lithium-ion batteries, AAA or AA batteries of any kind.
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Additional Information
Bedford Camera & Video is a Authorized dealer! All new products come with a full manufactures USA Limited warranty.
We do not sell Grey Market Products
What is Grey Market?
Products that are imported and sold by anyone other than USA Authorized dealers are considered Grey Market products. These are often genuine products that were intended for other countries; therefore, they may not meet the manufacturer's specifications for US products or perform as expected, and they are not covered by a USA manufacture warranty or eligible for a USA repair service.
What are the differences as far as a customer is concerned?
In most cases, the main difference between a "USA" and a "Grey Market," or imported product is the cost of the item and the terms of the item’s warranty coverage. The products themselves are otherwise identical. As a rule, "Grey Market" items typically cost less than their USA counterparts. "Grey market" products never qualify for manufacturer's rebate programs and can not be price matched. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-333-4280.
Prop 65 Warning: California Residents
WARNING: Attention California Residents: This product may contain chemicals including but not limited to, lead and/or nickel, that can cause Cancer and other Reproductive Harm.For more information, please visit: www.p65warnings.ca.gov.
