Neurapix Conference: A Huge Success with the Launch of "Editing Fatigue" Study

Timo Pape

“What an incredible atmosphere – a fantastic event!” This was the enthusiastic feedback from the 120 attendees at the first-ever Neurapix Conference. Over the course of one and a half days (September 26-27, 2024), the participants experienced a lineup of inspiring presentations by leading speakers from the German photography scene in Frankfurt. The event provided a unique opportunity for professionals from various fields to exchange insights and network, culminating in a lively celebration. One of the standout moments of the conference was the presentation of Neurapix’s latest study on the topic of “Editing Fatigue.”

The event venue, DEPOT 1899 in Frankfurt’s Sachsenhausen district, was packed from the moment the doors opened. The theme of the Neurapix Conference 2024, the first independent event organized by the Göttingen-based AI company, was “Grow Your Photo Business.” The presentations, panel discussions, and industry talks provided photographers with actionable insights for growing their businesses. Unlike other photography events, the Neurapix Conference focused less on creative techniques and more on the business aspects of professional photography.

The first day kicked off with a talk by Lars May, a school and kindergarten photographer, on building and scaling a photography business. Following him was wedding photographer and coach Kathleen John, who presented on mental health in photography. As part of her presentation, John introduced a new Neurapix study that explored the impact of excessive photo editing on both mental and physical well-being. The findings of the study are available in a white paper.

Top-Notch Speakers and an Engaging Panel Discussion

Neurapix co-founder Peter Chronz then took the stage to talk about AI-assisted photography. This was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Timo Pape, in which photographers Ines Thomsen, Chris Auth (from Kathi and Chris), Kathleen John, and Steffen Böttcher debated the future of photography and the role of new technologies. Artificial intelligence was a hot topic, with a spirited debate on its role in the industry. Many attendees considered this panel discussion one of the highlights of the Neurapix Conference, though some felt it was a bit too short.

Later in the day, Austrian photographers Manuela and Martin Allinger (Forma Photography) gave a presentation on the importance of adapting both personally and professionally to external circumstances throughout a photography career. This was followed by a talk from fashion and people photographer Ines Thomsen, who discussed how she has been using AI in her work, particularly through what she calls “AI Fusion”—the blending of real people and AI-generated backgrounds in her images.

The first day wrapped up with a presentation by Chris Auth of the wedding photography duo “Kathi and Chris” on the importance of building a personal brand and how to do so sustainably. The day concluded with a vibrant networking party, where attendees danced into the early morning hours alongside well-known industry partners like Sony and the Neurapix team.

Day Two: Content is King, Client as Well

The second day of the Neurapix Conference featured two more presentations. Content creator Awid Safaei opened the day with a talk on creating high-performing social media content. Later, renowned Berlin-based reportage, corporate, and wedding photographer Steffen Böttcher discussed client success and the importance of preparing thoroughly for shoots to build strong referral networks.

The conference concluded with a 45-minute breakout session where attendees had the chance to engage with speakers in small groups, asking specific questions relevant to their areas of expertise. Both the speakers and the attendees came from a wide range of photography niches, providing a diverse and enriching exchange of ideas.

**“A Unifying Event for all Photographers”**

“One of our goals for the Neurapix Conference was to create an event that brings photographers from different fields together,” explained Timo Pape, the event organizer at Neurapix. “While the everyday challenges and client demands vary across different sectors, the principles of business growth apply to all. There are already plenty of niche events out there, so we wanted to create a unifying conference for all German-speaking photographers from the community.”

It is yet to be decided whether there will be a second Neurapix Conference next year. However, if the attendees have their way, the answer is clear. Many were already asking about pre-sale tickets shortly after the event ended!