FOCUS: A Photography Symposium, sponsored by Travel Nevada
After a very long hiatus, we’re excited to bring back our popular photography symposium!
Before the pandemic, Nevada Magazine hosted this annual symposium to help photographers learn from each other and network to improve their skills and expand their Nevada horizons.
April 9, 2025
Aquarius Casino Resort
1900 S. Casino Drive | Laughlin, Nevada 89029
We are excited to bring FOCUS back for its 7th run!
What is FOCUS?
FOCUS is Travel Nevada’s award-winning photographer symposium, where attendees learn from each other and network to improve their skills and expand their Nevada horizons. This one-day event features educational and inspirational sessions, networking opportunities, and often hands-on opportunities with a goal of strengthening Nevada’s incredibly talented network of photographers. In partnering with Rural Roundup, we hope to help bring together Nevada’s tourism professionals and the photographers who can help them better achieve their marketing goals.
Come and meet new friends, gain helpful insight and knowledge, and just have a good time.
Maximize Your FOCUS Experience—Join RRU!
Take your participation in FOCUS to the next level by registering for Rural Roundup —a prime opportunity to network with key Nevada destination partners and explore potential business opportunities.
With special discounted pricing, you can attend both FOCUS + RRU for just $100, including meals and valuable networking sessions.
- Attendees can provide up to two watermarked photos that will be shown on a loop through RRU. Please provide as large a jpg as possible, but keep under 5 mb per photo.
- You may provide business cards for the general networking table at no extra cost, even if you don’t attend RRU.
- RRU registration includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on April 10, and breakfast on April 11. You will be responsible for your own breakfast and dinner on April 9.
Need more visibility? Secure a networking/exhibit table for $250 or share that cost with fellow photographers.
Featuring Guided Photo Tours
We are excited to have a Christmas Tree Pass photo excursion available in the morning, before lunch. You will need your own transportation or arrange for carpooling with other photographers. We will meet at the Grapevine Canyon parking area (time TBD), where Russ Colletta and Larry Hanna will help people explore that area (including many petroglyphs). Steve Dudrow will lead people through Christmas Tree pass, where there will be some moderate hiking opportunities, and exploration of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. Due to conservation efforts, it is requested that you not hang Christmas decorations on any trees, as has been done in the past. Animals mistake these items as food, and it can be deadly.
April 9, 2025: Agenda
| TBD | Guided Photo Tours – Grapevine Canyon – Avi Kwa Ame National Monument |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch (Provided) – Aquarius Casino Resort |
| 12:45 – 1:00 | Welcome – A few words from Rafael – Group photo |
| 1:00 – 1:45 | A FOCUS Meet Cute – Larry Hanna & Russ Colletta talk about meeting at FOCUS and some of their adventures |
| 1:45 – 2:00 | Social break |
| 2:00 – 2:45 | Selling Your Work -M.D. Welch Presentation |
| 2:45 – 3:00 | Social break |
| 3:00 – 3:45 | Women in Focus – Tiffany Weems will talk about Las Vegas photography group, “Women in Focus” |
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Social break |
| 4:00 – 4:45 | Photographing our State Parks State Parks panel to talk about what’s accepted in State Parks, and how to best help them out |
| 4:45 – 5:00 | Wrap-up |
Testimonials
“Great job!!! I’ve been all of the Focus events except Vegas and they have all been good, I wouldn’t miss one for the world.”
“Not sure what I like more – the fact that I learn something from every single presenter, no matter the subject material, or the fact that I get to hang out with some of the coolest, most talented, open-minded and open-hearted people in our area. FOCUS may just be the best thing that ever happened to my hobby!”
“I LOVE the interaction between all of the diverse levels of photographers.”
“I enjoy the focus group because I always learn something to help me Improve my photos. Also everyone is so friendly, helpful and willing to share tips and a great way to network.”
“I have been to each event and found something useful at each. I would recommend them to photographers of all skill levels, the networking alone is worth the effort.”
“It was inspiring to hear the different photographers lecture, each with their own techniques and all with a passion for photography!”
FOCUS Registration
The event is open to photographers of all levels, and even those shooting with a cellphone will find something of value.
- Afternoon FOCUS only (includes lunch) = $25
- FOCUS + RRU = $100
- FOCUS + RRU + networking/exhibit table = $350
- $50 bus from LAS to Laughlin and back: ONLY available April 8, 11:30 a.m. (arriving at Laughlin at 6 p.m., with stops along the way) and April 11, 12:00 p.m. (to arrive at LAS at 2 p.m.)