Category Archives: Events

Current APA | SD Sponsored Events

APA|SD Presents: Peer to Peer, November 19th, 2025

Do you have a photography project or series you’re passionate about? Curious what your peers and others think of it?

Join APA | SD and our photo community on Wednesday, November 19th at 6:00PM for an evening dedicated to sharing creative projects. This is an opportunity for you to share your work and/or to comment on the work of others. 3 photographers will share their projects in an in-person critique setting. Our “Peer to Peer” events are open to everyone, but you must be a current APA member to present your project.

As independent artists, we know it’s not easy to create in a silo. Sharing your work is an invaluable way to help find your voice and leverage the communal nature of creativity. Letting others in on your process can be inspiring and helps lead to self-discovery that can push a project even further.

If you don’t have a project to share, that’s ok. Come out to support the presenters and photo community. Constructive feedback and insight are always welcome.

Send us a link to your project for consideration. Submissions should be ready to share and present to an audience. If you are selected to present, you will be given 15-20 minutes including time for comments and questions.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 | 6 PM

WHERE: Studio on Banks | 5343 Banks St, San Diego, CA 92110

Email director@apasd.org to register

This is a FREE event

APA|SD Presents: Culture and Coffee, Friday, August 15th

Photo: Gary Allard

Join APA | SD for a casual members gathering at Bread & Salt  Gallery on Friday, August 15th at 11:30am to tour their new exhibition by Jason Sherry. Meet us for a tour at 11:30 and stay to grab a coffee with us afterwards at Provecho! Coffee Co.

This is a great way to connect with other photographers, artists and members, learn more about APA and ask any questions. 

Where: 1955 Julian Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

When: Friday, August 15th at 11:30am 

This is a Free event so come out, meet other members and get more involved with your local photo community.

RSVP director@apasd.org

We hope to see you there!

Summer Break Mixer

Photo: Gary Allard

APA San Diego is hosting a midsummer mixer on Wednesday, July 30th at Studio on Banks.

This is an opportunity to meet new people, network, discuss collaborations and catch up with old friends. We’ll be inside enjoying some drinks from 5-7PM and hope to see you there.

All are welcome – whether you’re already an APA member or just interested in meeting others in the photo, film and creative community.

When: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 · 5 – 7pm PDT
Where: Studio On Banks, 5343 Banks St., San Diego, CA 92110
Get Directions

Please RSVP Via Eventbrite here

The Portrait Lighting Universe: How to light anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Photos clockwise from upper left: Stacy Keck, Rich Soublet, Andrew Burns, Rich Soublet, Rich Soublet, Stacy Keck

APA San Diego proudly presents three of its own to demystify the process of creating exceptional portraits. Andrew Burns, Stacy Keck, and Rich Soublet, are coming together to design a workshop on portrait lighting you will not want to miss. Andrew, an established gaffer/photographer will walk us through a wide range of lighting setups in the studio. In addition, we cover how to light an individual within a scene on location. Using strobe, RGB, and constant light, we will take attendees through the process of using these tools to create dynamic portrait lighting, not your typical headshot. We will walk the line between light and shadow and show you what it takes to have control over both.

In addition, as a fun way to show the process of creating trust with the people we photograph, Stacy and Rich will each be tasked with creating a series of portraits of someone preselected whom they have never met. These interactions of meeting someone new, quickly creating rapport, and directing their subject on camera will take place live in front of workshop attendees. This will be a great opportunity for participants to pick up practical tips on how to quickly get people comfortable in front of the camera.

This event will be interactive, providing participants the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical knowledge and confidence with their own creative works. Come join us and see the magic that happens when experienced photographers unite to create together!

What: An in-person lighting and portrait workshop for all levels of photographers

When: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, 9:30AM – 12:00PM

Where: Skylight Studios, 4562 Alvarado Canyon Road, San Diego, CA, 92120

Cost:
$25 APA Members
$50 Non Members
Students FREE with proof of enrollment/Student ID (Tickets must be reserved in advance, space is limited)

Register Now

A special thanks to our event partners!

Sony will be joining us to share details about their UX Research Program. Sony’s UX research team is looking for more creators to provide feedback for Sony imaging products and concepts. Photographers, videographers, and cinematographers of all backgrounds are welcome to join the Creators’ volunteer list to hear about upcoming opportunities to share your experience and opinions. Gift card incentives are provided as a thank you for your feedback, which is used to improve current and future Sony products.

Thank you to George’s Camera for your ongoing support and helping make our annual programming possible. Visit their North Park or Clairemont locations and see why they are San Diego’s largest full-service camera store.


Skylight Studios for their generosity and hosting the event at their beautiful studio. Skylight Studios is equipped with the most thoughtful amenities of any studio of its kind in San Diego, paired with incredible hospitality and support. For a successful, headache-free production, look no further!


Voice & Video for their gracious donation of lighting and grip for this event. Visit them for your audio, video and production needs!

APA | SD presents: Culture & Coffee on March, 21


Join APA | SD for a casual gathering for members at the La Jolla Historical Society on Friday, March 21st from 12pm-1pm PT to tour their new exhibition, La Jolla Surf: Culture, Art, Craft. Meet us for a tour at noon and stay to grab a coffee with us afterwards.

La Jolla Surf also invites viewers into the world of surfing through iconic photography by Roy Porello, Jeff Divine, and Ron Church, original artwork by award winning designer, John van Hamersveld, and surf boards from the greatest shapers in the region. Through the extensive, original interview footage with local surfers created by curator John Durant, visitors will hear firsthand accounts of how the surfing community developed, how it has evolved over time, and the powerful connection to, and appreciation of the ocean and nature that surfing engenders.


Where: La Jolla Historical Society, 780 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037 

When: Friday, March 21st at 12pm 

Cost: FREE

This is a great way to connect with other photographers and members, learn more about APA and get more involved with your local chapter. We sincerely hope to see you there. 

Please RSVP to director@apasd.org

Marketing Today: Your Voice on Instagram and the Web | February 8th, 2025


Marketing Today: Your Voice on Instagram and the Web

This online event is designed to help you best present your photography on Instagram and your website. It all starts with your unique point of view; finding it, defining it and only then, putting it out there for your clients to see.

Photographer / Director Art Streiber and Editor / Agent Beth Huerta will share practical strategies, insights and expertise from their own marketing process to guide you in elevating the public face of your photography.

WHEN: Saturday, February 8th, 2025 | 10 AM
WHERE: Online | Zoom link provided after registration
COST: APA Members: $10, Non-Members: $20, Students: $10

RSVP HERE

About Beth Huerta

In her current position as Senior Agent/Editor at the award-winning agency Candace Gelman & Associates, Beth has been fortunate to work with, advise and represent renowned artists such as Sandro, Marcus Smith, Olivia Bee, Kennedi Carter and The Voorhes, amongst others. She also works as a freelance editor for photographers including Art Streiber and Tracy + David. Prior to CG&A, Beth worked as a consultant/assistant for a bevy of internationally acclaimed advertising and editorial photographers including Howard Schatz and Theo Westenberger. Beth is a frequent workshop presenter and contributing writer for the American Photographic Artists Association. She is an adjunct instructor for the Photography program at Drexel University and has taught at The University of the Arts and Columbia College Chicago. Beth serves on the advisory board for FreshLens Chicago and is a Mentor for NYC Salt, a program that creates opportunities in visual arts for under-served New York City youth.

About Art Streiber

Art Streiber is a Los Angeles-based freelance photographer specializing in portrait, reportage, entertainment, and advertising photography.

Streiber’s magazine portraits have been published on the covers of Vanity Fair, TIME, Entertainment Weekly, Wired, The New York Times Magazine and Variety.

Streiber has photographed movie posters and key art for motion picture studios, television networks and streaming services including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, ESPN, CNN, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Peacock, Hulu, Universal, Warner Bros, Paramount and Focus Features.

Since 2005 his imagery has been selected to appear in American Photography and the Communication Arts Photography Annual and in 2019, Streiber was the inaugural recipient of The Stieglitz Award from the Los Angeles Center for Photography, for his continued excellence and commitment to the photographic community of Los Angeles.

Streiber’s fine art prints are represented by The Photo Gallery in Halmsted, Sweden, and upon request with The Fahey Klein Gallery in Los Angeles.



APA | SD presents: Peer-to-Peer Critique January 15th, 2025


We’re excited to kick off a new year with a peer-to-peer event on Wednesday, January 15th at 6:30 pm. This time, we are focused on PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS and projects that have inspired them.

Have you completed a photography book? Do you have a project you are considering publishing in book format? Do you have a favorite photography book that has inspired you? We’d love to know more about all of them! Join us on Wednesday, January 15th at 6:00 p.m. with your books in hand. This is an in-person opportunity to share your work with a group of peers or participate in discussing the work of others.  

Mingling begins at 6 p.m. and discussions will begin at 6:30 p.m.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 | 6 PM

WHERE: Studio on Banks | 5343 Banks St, San Diego, CA 92110

Email director@apasd.org to register.

This is a FREE event.

APA | SD Happy Hour, Wednesday, November 6th


Join APA | SD for Happy Hour on Wednesday, November 6, at 5:30 – 7:00 PM at Panama 66 in Balboa Park. This happy hour is all ages and open to the larger photography and creative community. APA | SD members are encouraged to attend!

We’ll be outside in the patio area enjoying some drinks and food. Registration isn’t needed, but we would love to know if you could join us. 

Live music begins at 7 PM.

The Food & Beverage menu can be found here.

Panama 66 is located next to the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park at: 
1450 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Email director@apasd.org for questions and to reserve your spot.

Untitled 2024 Call for Entries now open!

Select Untitled 2023 finalist clockwise from top left: Elisabeth Caren, David Price, Todd Glaser, Robert Atkinson, Taggart Lee, Mickey Strider

APA|SD is proud to announce our 11th annual Untitled photo competition and exhibition. Entries are now open.

Untitled is an annual competition and exhibition designed to showcase the best work of APA members and beyond – Images that show your unique vision, creative passion, and individualistic style, titled or untitled. This contest is open to all photographers at any level. All entries will be curated by our jurors and the top 20 images will be selected to display for exhibition with the top three (3) photos awarded prizes.

While an APA membership is not required to enter, members receive discounts on entries as well as sponsor benefits and discount pricing for gear and services throughout the year.

We welcome this year’s jurors: Bade Turgut, Director of Weinstein Hammons Gallery and photography consultant, Julie Skarwecki.

You can find full details and submission guidelines at untitledshow.org.

Entry fees help support programming and events for APA San Diego and 20% of the entry proceeds will be donated to the Flashes of Hope a program of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation that creates free uplifting portraits to honor the unique life and memories of every child fighting cancer.

Deadline extended to 12:00 PM PT on October 16th, 2024.

APA’s mission is to advocate, educate and elevate the professional photographic community.

Lens & Light Artist Reception, July 31st

Light and Lens photo exhibition on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the University Club in San Diego.

Join APA|SD and The University Club Arts Committee to celebrate the works of San Diego photographic artists and APA members Nick Nacca, Rob Hammer, and Gary Allard.

Experience this unforgettable exploration of visual storytelling through lens and light at the Arts Committee exquisite photography art exhibit. This unique event celebrates the artistry and creativity of talented photographers, showcasing their distinct perspectives and narratives frozen in time. Experience the power of photography as it transports you across landscapes, cultures, and emotions. From breathtaking landscapes that evoke wanderlust to intimate portraits that reveal the essence of human connection, each image invites you to delve deeper into the artist’s vision and the stories they tell.

When: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Where: University Club Atop Symphony Towers
750 B St Ste 3400, San Diego, CA 92101

Complimentary to Attend | Registration Required
Register Here