School Photographers of America celebrates successful 2026 International Summit

School Photographers of America (SPOA) concluded its 5th Annual International Summit on School Photography & Yearbooks, June 23-26,, in Raleigh, NC, which brought together school photography professionals and industry suppliers from across the United States for three days of education, collaboration, and innovation. Returning to Raleigh for a second consecutive year, the 2026 Summit attracted 297 attendees from 27 member companies, 30 supplier partners, and 31 states. The event featured 43 educational sessions presented by 65 industry experts, providing attendees with practical strategies, emerging technologies, leadership development, and meaningful networking opportunities that continue to build momentum for the future of the school photography industry, the organization said.

What began five years ago as a vision to unite the industry has grown into a national gathering where ideas are shared, partnerships are formed, and momentum of the profession continues to accelerate. The 2026 Summit reflected the strength of an industry committed to learning, innovating, and moving forward together.

Education remained the cornerstone of the Summit, with sessions covering business growth, marketing, AI, operations, yearbook production, sales strategies, school relationships, and leadership development. The conference also introduced SPOA 101, a new pre-conference program designed to help first-time attendees and newer members maximize the value of their membership while learning more about the association’s mission, advocacy efforts, and year-round resources.

A landmark moment of this Summit was the official launch of the SPOA Accreditation Program. Developed to recognize professional photography companies that meet established industry standards and best practices, the program provides schools and districts with additional confidence when selecting photography partners while reinforcing professionalism, ethics, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the industry, the association said in a press release.

The annual SPOA Industry Awards Dinner recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and dedication continue to shape the future of school photography. The 2026 recipients were:

• Hall of Fame Award: Leonard R. Tucker, Sr. – Leonard’s Photography
• President’s Award: Cindy Gallien – Photo Texas
• Rising Star: Lillian Kempiak – HR Imaging & Michele Federschneider – Captura
• Dedication to Mentorship Award: Mark Hommerding -SchoolPictures.com
• Captura’s Legacy Award: Cindy Gallien – Photo Texas
• Sparky Spirit Award: Erick Villeda – Strawbridge Studios, Inc.
• Perseverance Award: Alissa Harmon – Strawbridge Studios, Inc.

The SPOA Industry Photo Competition Grand Champions were recognized across 12 categories in the SPOA Industry Photo Competition:

• Live Event: Jonathan Nomberto | Dean Stewart Photography
• PK-11th Fall: Zach Reininger | The Photo Guys
• PK-11th Spring: Darshey Clowe | Upstate Images
• PK – 8th Graduation: Erick Villeda | Strawbridge Studios, Inc.
• Sports PK – 12th Team Traditional: Peter Kramer | Geskus Photo
• Senior Indoor Casual: Jonathan Nomberto | Dean Stewart Photography
• Senior Formal: Jonathan Nomberto | Dean Stewart Photography
• Senior Lifestyle Environmental: Nora Russell | Visual Image Photography
• Sports PK – 11th Individual Location: Cody Clem | Strawbridge Studios, Inc.
• Sports PK – 12th Composite: Tomisina Collopy | Strawbridge Studios, Inc.
• Senior Creative Open: Chanda Pope | Scholar Snaps
• Photographer Creative Open: Joey Wooten | Upstate Images

The Sony-sponsored Student Photo Competition experienced record participation in 2026, receiving more than 2,000 student entries from across the country:

• Action Shot: Bryce Walker, Coral Springs Charter School (Coral Springs, Florida)
• Candid Shot: Jordan Doty, Ray Braswell High School (Aubrey, Texas)
• Detail Shot: Ryan Bezas, Huron High School (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
• Dominant Photo: Levi Aust, Racine Case High School (Racine, Wisconsin)
• Reaction Shot: Henry Rottman, Westfield High School (Chantilly, Virginia)

This year’s Summit also marked the launch of the SPOA Gallery & Grand Champion Yearbook Awards, recognizing outstanding student photography, design, storytelling and overall concept. Yearbook Grand Champions will be announced in the Fall.

Sponsors for the event included:

APEX – Captura

PEAK – GotPhoto

Pinnacle – B&H, Entourage Yearbooks, Pictavo, Richmond Pro Lab, Sony.

Crest – APS Lab, Canon, Lumix

Ridgeline – 36Pix, Adorama, Airstudio, Ark-La-Tex, Candid Color Systems, Done.Photos, Evolis, Evoto.ai, Goelzer Envelope, Marco Photo Service, Perfectly Clear, Photo Day, Portrait Vision, WaldoPro

Industry Supplier Summit Sponsors – Advertek, Emoging, Frames for Portraits, H&H Color Lab, Tyndell, We Lead