The Dead Pixels Society, the photo/imaging industry’s leading news source, hosted Photo Imaging CONNECT (PIC) executive conference, March 1-2, 2026, at the RIO Casino and Resort, Las Vegas, NV. Photo Imaging CONNECT (PIC) serves as the premier executive networking conference for the photo/imaging sector. The conference unites industry leaders from printing, services, professional photography, technology, and retail for educational sessions and discussions.
Conference welcome and presentation: How did we get here, and where are we going?
Drawing on more than 30 years of photo/imaging industry background, Gary Pageau set the stage for the conference. What lessons can we learn from the successes and the challenges of the past? What trends are impacting the business now, and how can we, as an industry, build a strong foundation for success in 2025 and beyond?
Photo Imaging CONNECT: European photo trends – physical media holding strong
At the Photo Imaging CONNECT 2026 conference, Jeremy Wills, principal analyst of Futuresource Consulting, provided some insights into the European photo print market via prerecorded video. Despite years of predictions about the demise of print, the European photo imaging market tells a very different story. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights. For more information about the presentation, contact Wills directly at jeremy.wills@futuresource-hq.com.
Millennials, Gen Z, and even Gen Alpha continue to embrace tangible photo products, according to Wills. From the ongoing success of instant cameras to mobile photo printers and retail print kiosks, physical media retains emotional and social value. The perception that smartphone images aren’t “print worthy” has largely disappeared thanks to dramatic improvements in mobile camera quality.
In Western Europe’s six largest markets — Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK — consumer-ordered photo products (prints, books, and merchandise) are projected to grow in value at roughly 3–4% annually through 2029. While volume growth is relatively flat in some categories, rising average selling prices (ASPs), product upselling, and premium formats are driving revenue gains.
Interactive Keynote: “Lean Process and Continuous Improvement in Art” with Stuart MacDonald
World-class magician and continuous improvement expert Stuart MacDonald presented his unique presentation, “Lean Process and Continuous Improvement in Art,” to PIC. MacDonald is a TEDx speaker, “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” champion, and a Lean-certified expert in problem-solving and continuous improvement. With more than 20 years of experience on stage and in corporate innovation, MacDonald delivers performances and keynotes that challenge, inspire, and transform.
At the Photo Imaging CONNECT conference, industry analyst Hans Hartman of Visual 1st delivered a thought-provoking presentation on a topic many entrepreneurs eventually confront: how and why companies in the photo and video industry get acquired. Drawing on years of experience advising startups and technology firms, Hartman outlined the evolving landscape of mergers and acquisitions and offered practical insights for founders considering a future exit.
Hartman began by highlighting a clear trend: acquisitions remain common across the imaging ecosystem, from software and AI startups to printing platforms and photo-sharing services. Large technology companies and industry players continue to acquire smaller firms to accelerate innovation, expand capabilities, or consolidate market share. Examples across the industry include acquisitions by companies such as Canva, Apple, and Amazon, as well as deals involving imaging specialists like The Customization Group and various photo-software platforms.
Read more here.
Photo Imaging CONNECT: Cybersecurity and privacy take center stage in imaging industry
Cybersecurity and data privacy are no longer just IT concerns—they are core business issues that directly impact trust, brand reputation, and long-term sustainability in the photo imaging industry. That was the central message from Jordan Moore, founder and CEO of Riseilient and a privacy advisor to several imaging companies, during the recent Photo Imaging CONNECT session focused on cybersecurity risk and customer trust.
Moore emphasized that the imaging ecosystem—from photographers and labs to software providers and retailers—shares a common responsibility: protecting customer data. Imaging companies often store sensitive information, including personal images, family memories, and customer contact data. Because that data flows through multiple partners across the supply chain, protecting it requires industry-wide vigilance.
Read more here.
The complete picture of today’s imaging market
From capture to consumables to output and beyond, Fujifilm is engaged in the entire imaging value chain. In this session, Dwain Parrish and Devin Perpetua provided an overview of the market from Fujifilm’s unique perspective.
Photo Imaging CONNECT: How AI is transforming memory preservation in photo imaging
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the photo-imaging industry, but one of its most compelling applications may be in helping families preserve not just photos, but the stories behind them. That was the key theme of the recent Photo Imaging CONNECT panel discussion featuring Adam Pratt of Chaos to Memories, Sarah Lefebvre of MediaViz AI, and Mitchell Richmond of Kenoke, who explored how AI-powered tools are helping solve one of the industry’s biggest pain points: Overwhelming photo collections.
Read more about their conversation here.
Zenfolio SOPI survey highlights key trends in the State of the Photography Industry
A new industry survey from Zenfolio offers a detailed snapshot of how professional photographers are adapting to economic pressure, technological change, and shifting customer expectations. Presented by Zenfolio’s Kurt Hilmerson, the “State of the Photography Industry” survey—nicknamed “SOPI”—draws on responses from more than 5,000 photographers across 90 countries, making it one of the most comprehensive annual looks at the global photography market.
Originally launched during the COVID‑19 pandemic to understand how photographers were coping with the sudden disruption to their businesses, the survey has grown significantly in scope and influence. The latest report includes input gathered through 11 industry partners and reflects roughly 10,000 person‑hours of research and analysis. According to Hilmerson, the goal is to identify trends that help photographers understand both the creative and business realities of running a modern photography operation.
Read more about Hilmerson’s presentation here.
Reinvent the yearbook
At the recent Photo Imaging CONNECT session “Reinvent the Yearbook,” American Photo Marketing’s Mark Hommerding and Captura’s Tim McCain explored how technology, AI, and shifting market dynamics are reshaping one of school photography’s most enduring products.
Hommerding detailed an experimental “graduation book” concept—an AI-assisted, personalized yearbook alternative designed to increase average order value and deepen customer engagement. Produced on a tight 45-day timeline, the initial test featured a fixed-format, 30-page book priced around $149. Rather than heavily marketing the product upfront, Hommerding intentionally soft-launched it to avoid confusing customers or cannibalizing traditional photo package sales. Early results suggest strong interest, particularly due to the ability for students to preview and personalize content with their own images.
Read more about Hilmerson’s presentation here.
