SPAC 2026 recap
SPAC 2026 brought together school and volume photography studios from across the country and even internationally! For the Captura team, it was a chance to do what matters most. Listen, connect, and support studios with insight grounded in real industry experience.
Throughout the week, conversations centered on the realities of high-volume photography today. Tight timelines. Complex school relationships. Systems that need to perform under pressure. Studios aren’t looking for shiny tools, they’re looking for partners who understand their world.
That focus shaped every conversation we had at SPAC 2026.
Going beyond software
At the Captura booth, studio owners and teams shared what their seasons actually look like today.
Where workflows slow down during picture day
How manual processes still create stress during peak volume
What schools expect when it comes to communication and data accuracy
How studios are planning for growth without overextending their teams
Because the Captura ecosystem is built by people with decades of experience in school and volume photography, these conversations were practical and honest. We talked through real situations studios face every season and shared guidance shaped by years of working alongside photographers.
Built on industry expertise
Throughout SPAC 2026, we walked studios through how the Captura ecosystem supports the full high volume photography workflow, from capture to fulfillment, without relying on disconnected tools.
Workflow acts as the command center for daily operations.
Yearbooks helps studios build stronger, long-term school partnerships.
Product Designer enables faster product creation when timing matters.
Portal keeps schools and studios aligned with fewer errors and less back and forth.
What stood out wasn’t just how these tools connect, but why they were built. Every part of the Captura ecosystem reflects lessons learned from real studio environments, real seasons, and real challenges.
That philosophy was echoed in Chris Whydes’ talk on embracing AI while maintaining tradition. The message resonated clearly: innovation doesn’t mean abandoning what makes this industry special. When applied thoughtfully, AI and automation should support consistency, trust, and the relationships that schools and families rely on, not replace them.
A strategic partner for volume photography studios
SPAC was also an opportunity to spend focused time with existing customers. Studio teams met with their CSMs alongside Captura’s product and marketing teams to talk strategy, not just features.
Those conversations covered workflow optimization, upcoming jobs, and long-term planning based on each studio’s specific goals. This collaborative approach is central to how Captura works. We stay involved, adapt as studios grow, and help teams make informed decisions with confidence.
Learning before the conference began
Ahead of SPAC 2026, we hosted a Pre-SPAC Bootcamp designed to help studios arrive prepared. These sessions focused on practical improvements studios could apply immediately, based on proven best practices in high-volume photography operations.
The strong response reinforced what we continue to see across the industry: studios value guidance rooted in experience, guidance that brings clarity and momentum into a demanding season.
Real setups, side by side
Workflow Wednesday was one of the most practical moments of the week. Instead of talking about workflows in theory, studios were able to compare real setups side by side in a live environment.
With demo pods featuring different capture systems, lighting setups, backgrounds, and cameras, attendees could see how choices on picture day ripple through the rest of the season. From capture speed to image consistency to downstream processing, the differences were tangible.
What made this session especially valuable was the absence of a “right” answer. Studios asked thoughtful questions, compared notes with peers, and evaluated what made sense for their specific team, volume, and school mix.
The takeaway was clear: the best workflow is the one that fits your studio, and finding it starts with seeing what’s possible in the real world.
A look at what’s next for yearbooks
At Booth 320, the focus stayed on yearbooks.
Studios stopped by to explore what’s new in the yearbook space, what’s coming next for Memento, and how Captura and Studio Source Yearbooks are working together to support more scalable, reliable yearbook seasons.
For many studios, yearbooks represent more than an additional offering. They’re a way to strengthen school partnerships and create predictable workflows that don’t compete with peak photography season.
On Friday afternoon, Studio Source hosted a special yearbooks session focused on what’s ahead. Rather than a formal presentation, it felt like a working conversation, studios asked questions, shared feedback, and helped shape what comes next. That kind of dialogue is essential when tools are designed to support long-term school relationships, not just a single season.
And for a lighter moment, Studio Source also sponsored the Corn Hole tournament in the SPAC Zone. It was a great reminder that community and fun still have a place, even during a packed conference schedule.
Honoring industry legacy
One of the most meaningful moments of the week was recognizing Gene Harrell - APS Lab, this year’s recipient of the Captura Legacy Award.
This award celebrates individuals who embody dedication to the craft, commitment to schools and families, and a lasting impact on the industry. Gene’s work reflects the values that continue to move school photography forward, and we’re proud to celebrate his contribution alongside the broader SPAC community.
Our party
Friday night was all about the people.
Our co-hosted party with SPOA was a huge success and a great reminder of what makes this industry special. Studios stepped away from sessions and schedules to reconnect, catch up, and spend time with peers who truly get the pressures and rewards of this work.
All the legends were there. Old friends, new faces, and the kind of conversations that only happen when you put good people in the same room.
We even sent three lucky attendees home with tickets to this year’s SPOA Conference, which made the night even better.
Moments like these matter. Strong studios aren’t built on systems alone. They’re built on shared experience, trusted relationships, and community. And the conversations that happen over food and drinks often stick with you just as much as anything learned in a session room.
What the data is telling us
Saturday morning, we shared insights from the latest School Photography Industry Report and how rising expectations from parents and schools are already affecting studio operations.
The discussion focused on trends studios are feeling now. Faster turnaround times, higher expectations for communication, and more pressure to deliver consistent quality at scale. The goal wasn’t to predict the future, but to help studios prepare for what’s already here.
One insight stood out. Only 46% of non-buyers said they were happy with the quality of images they were offered, compared to 76% of buyers. The experience gap continued at checkout, where just 50% of non-buyers were satisfied with the shopping cart experience, versus 80% of buyers.
What this raises is an important question. What does “quality” actually mean to parents?
It’s rarely just the image. Quality often reflects the full experience, from pose selection and expression to how easy the gallery is to navigate, how clear the pricing is, and how quickly orders arrive. Studios aren’t being evaluated on photography alone, but on the entire journey parents move through.
Continuing the conversation: The Captura Community
SPAC 2026 also marked the launch of something new — the Captura Community.
Built with studios and for studios, the Captura Community is a studio-first space to share real-world workflows, get answers faster, learn from peers, and have a meaningful voice in what Captura builds next. It’s a place where partnership becomes collaboration, and where the industry continues the conversations started at SPAC.
Studios that join as Founding Members will help influence priorities, guide product direction, and shape the resources that matter most to teams like theirs.
Sign in & create an account to unlock the full Captura Community at community.captura.io
Looking ahead
SPAC 2026 reaffirmed what matters most to us. Strong studio partnerships are built on trust, experience, and consistency. We are grateful to every studio that took the time to connect, share feedback, and challenge us to keep improving.
If you joined us at SPAC, thank you for the conversation. If we missed you, we would love to continue it, book a demo here.
Because SPAC isn’t just about a conference, it’s about an industry coming together to learn, adapt, and grow stronger, together.