AIBP Education: Navigating Your way to the Speaker Stage

Join us for an insightful panel discussion, Navigating Your Way to the Speaker Stage, featuring experienced conference planners and speaker selectors. This event is designed to provide valuable insights into what event organizers seek in speakers for their conferences and events.

Whether you’re an aspiring speaker or looking to refine your presentation skills, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn directly from industry experts. Our panelists will share their criteria for selecting speakers, discuss common pitfalls to avoid, and offer tips on how to effectively showcase your unique voice and expertise.

Don’t miss this chance to elevate your speaking opportunities and enhance your visibility in the industry.

To register for this class,
1. Log into your account at  https://aibphotog.com/members/login/
2. The link will be listed on the “Welcome” page
3. This class will be a live Zoom Webinar for AIBP Members only
4. Replay will be available shortly after in the Member Education section of the website.

For information on joining AIBP please www.aibphotog.com

Our Panel:

Arlene Evans, Emerald X

Arlene Evans is the Content Director for the Photo Group at Emerald X. With nearly 20 years of experience in photography education, she has played key roles at WPPI as Conference Director and CreativeLive as Director of Photography Education. Throughout her career, Arlene has been dedicated to curating high-quality educational content, fostering industry connections, and helping photographers enhance their skills and grow their businesses.

Amanda Scott, GLIP Director

Amanda Scott is a well-renowned portrait photographer from Michigan’s Thumb Area, celebrated for her body-positive boudoir photography. Known for her out-of-the-box themes, Amanda’s sessions empower a growing community of women across Mid-Michigan. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and has earned her accolades from both state and national photography associations.Driven by her passion to keep education alive within the photography community,Amanda stepped into her role as GLIP Director, showing a deep commitment to nurturing future generations of photographers. She’s been invited to speak at conferences across the country, where she shares her mission of ongoing education and community support. Whether through in-person training or virtual seminars,Amanda consistently advocates for photographers to lift each other up and lean on their shared creativity.As a speaker herself, Amanda also seeks to uplift other voices by inviting industry professionals to teach at her school, ensuring they are properly observed and offering valuable, actionable knowledge that attendees can directly apply to their own businesses—avoiding mere teasers. Her focus is always on delivering practical insights that foster growth within the photography community.From exploring new scenic backdrops to inspire fresh creativity to encouraging collaboration, Amanda is a dynamic force in both the studio and the classroom. She is dedicated to promoting photography education in ways that continue to grow both creativity and learning for photographers everywhere.

Kiati Plooks, Peculiar Collective Conference

Kiati is an Award-Winning Boudoir, Portrait, and Dance Photographer and Educator based in Ellicott City, MD. Kiati has over 15 years of experience in the photography industry and enjoys teaching and mentoring in both aspects of photography and the business behind photography when he is not behind the lens. This year Kiati spent his year traveling to studios and fun locations across the US to teach and host workshops with plans to host overseas workshops and photography retreats in 2025. With 20 years in the corporate world developing business strategies for Fortune 150 companies, Kiati has helped launch and mentor several small businesses and now brings that experience in helping photographers develop their strategies. In addition to the business side, Kiati also mentors on how he creates his art through posing and lighting. With the knowledge of utilizing both natural and artificial light in his work, he leverages his ability to shape light to contour his subjects to create drama and depth within his images. Kiati is the AIBP (Association of International Boudoir Photographers) 2022 Ambassador of Excellence, has been published in Rangefinder, Philosophie Boudoir Magazine among other publications and has spoken at ImagingUSA, Pas De Deux Dance Photography Conference, ClickCon and the Peculiar Collective Conference.

Chantal Paradis, PPA

Chantal Paradis is a dedicated wedding photographer and a proud mother of three, based in Maine where she was born and raised. With a deep passion for capturing life’s most cherished moments, she has also served as the President of the Maine Professional Photographers Association (MainePPA) for two years. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Chantal loves traveling, exploring new foods, and finding inspiration from different cultures and landscapes.

Shawn Black, AIBP President

Shawn Black is the owner/photographer at Couture Black, a boudoir studio located in Boston, MA. He is also the new owner and president of AIBP (Association of International Boudoir Photographers). Shawn is best known for the dramatic lighting and editorial look of his images which has made him one of the most recognized photographers in the genre. He has written for and had his work featured across the top industry publications and in 2019 was named the AIBP Photographer of the Year.

While being behind the camera creating will always be his first love, he has always been passionate about pushing the genre forward and educating which is why in 2021 he acquired and became president of AIBP. This move has allowed him to further advocate and educate for the boudoir community. Everything Shawn does as a photographer, educator, and advocate for the boudoir community follows his belief that boudoir is for everyBODY, which is why his tagline has always been #BeBoldBeSexyBeYou, with BeYou being the most important part.