AsiaWPA Annual Conference & Award Ceremony 2026 - Tokyo 4 Feb 2026
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- Mar 6
- 2 min read
What an unforgettable day it was at the AsiaWPA Annual Conference & Award Ceremony in Tokyo yesterday 4 Feb 2026. From the first welcome in the morning to the final applause at the Award Dinner, the entire event was filled with energy, learning, and inspiration. The community spirit among photographers and videographers from across Asia and beyond could truly be felt in every session, conversation, and frame. To relive the atmosphere, the emotions, and the best moments of the day, be sure to check out our full-day video highlight of the event
We began the day with a warm and uplifting Opening Ceremony at Hotel Grand Hill Ichigaya. It was the perfect start to a gathering dedicated to both artistic excellence and the future of our craft. The morning continued with Panel 1, “Photographers’ Identity in an AI-Driven World,” where our distinguished speakers, Roger Tan, Aries Tao, Mike Chien, Dennis Chang, Raymond Phang, David Wong, Keda Z., Zhou Tieying and LeiLiu, shared their views on how AI is reshaping creativity, authorship, and client expectations.
They explored where to draw the line between helpful tools and artificial “faking,” whether clients truly care about how images are made as long as they love the result, and who really owns a visual “style” when software becomes part of the process. In parallel, workshop attendees dived deep into the craft at Essie Chang’s exclusive session, focusing on capturing decisive moments in wedding video and photo shoots, while our Grand Awards Final Live Judging kept the excitement high as international judges carefully evaluated the outstanding finalist works live on site.
After a relaxed lunch break filled with networking, reunions, and new friendships, the afternoon shifted towards business and growth. Panel 2, “The Business of Visuals: Monetization, Markets and Mindsets in 2026,” offered candid insights into how top professionals are navigating today’s fast-changing market, diversifying income streams, and building sustainable creative careers. Distinguished speakers include Tracey Taylor, Dee Green, Essie Chang, Jodie Andrews, Jonathan Chong, Johnson Wee and Nagayuki Kojima.
Those who joined Jodie Andrews’ newborn portrait workshop then enjoyed an intensive, hands-on session on posing, lighting, and crafting gentle yet powerful images of newborns, learning first-hand from one of the most respected educators in this field. As the sun went down, the atmosphere transformed into one of celebration and connection. The pre-dinner networking session at 5:30 pm brought award dinner guests together for group photos, conversations, and laughter, setting the stage for a memorable evening.
The Annual Award Presentation Dinner that followed was the emotional peak of the day—honoring the Grand Award finalists and winners, celebrating the exceptional talent across Asia, and recognizing the countless hours of dedication behind every winning image and video. Cheers, smiles, a few happy tears, and a shared sense of pride made the night truly special.
Special thanks to ILFORD, Awagami Factory and ASUKABOOK. Their presence and long-standing support of the imaging industry set a professional yet heartfelt tone for the event. To everyone who joined in Tokyo—speakers, judges, sponsors, volunteers, and all attendees — thank you for making this event so meaningful.
The AsiaWPA community grows stronger each year because of your passion and participation. Congratulations! Full list of winners of Annual Awards may be founded here: https://contest.asiawpa.com/
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