The first session was hosted by Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan Kae Grant. The session was a complete rundown of how to make it as a professional photographer in the business world. Since students comprised a majority of the audience, the information included topics such as “how to represent yourself,” and by the end, everyone in the room was given both peace of mind and packets of information to take home. Along with the student session, other sessions included topics such as how photography portrays community. Each evening, a keynote speaker was invited to talk about their personal work; the second night Stanley Wolukau-Wanambwa—a photographer, writer, and editor of The Great Leap Sideways—hosted a fascinating conversation on stage with students about how to represent and talk about diversity in group critiques when there is no or little representation.

Throughout the sessions, a force of students worked with the volunteer coordinators to set up sessions, direct members, and coordinate portfolio reviews. Volunteering for SPE is only open to students and financially helps with offsetting the ticket cost after completion of volunteer time. During my first volunteer shift monitoring technology and assisting as needed, I had the opportunity to sit through sessions and take notes. My second volunteer shift was to check in students for their portfolio reviews. Along with volunteer work, I also was able to take part in a few extra portfolio reviews at the end of the session. All the time spent volunteering also allowed me to make connections with other students that I have stayed in touch with through social media. I even got the honor of introducing a group of students from the University of Kentucky to the real Philly cheesesteak!

Overall, the opportunity to spend time with my peers and gain feedback from educators and active photographers was invaluable, and I look forward to the 2019 national conference in Cleveland, Ohio.