Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference: Rick Burress

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Mr. Burress, Rick

Consultant
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One of the three original Apple-certified consultants nationally, Rick has been a part of the desktop publishing revolution since its inception in 1987. He trains "Design and Photography Superstars"—current, and up-and-coming. Industry professionals sought his expertise to update college curricula, ensuring they aligned with the evolving demands of the field. He developed three innovative courses for the Maricopa Community 10-College system, which contributed to Scottsdale Community College receiving the prestigious Frederick D. Kagy Award for Excellence. With 12 years of experience as an Adjunct Professor, he taught courses in InDesign, Digital Color Theory, Digital Photography Post-Processing, and Adobe Illustrator. Rick also co-created the Arizona State teaching standards for its educational system in the Graphic Arts. Each Summer, Rick “teaches the teachers” how to better instruct our future design stars using those standards. He has been a copywriter, artist, illustrator, creative director, television sales rep, marketing director, print salesman, consultant, trainer, professional photographer, and author. He currently consults, writes for, and trains design superstars, sales professionals, artists, advertising agencies, magazine publishers, and visual communication professionals. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies, such as Apple Computer and Adobe Systems, as well as Rapp Worldwide, AT&T, Grand Canyon University, and Tivity Health. He works daily as a consultant and lecturer. He has trained the graphic teams of The Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, The Houston Astros, Arizona State University, The Art Institute of Milwaukee, AIGA (the American Institute of Graphic Arts,) and the Printing Industries of Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. He brought many large, creative agencies into the digital era, including Evansgroup/Publicis, and Rapp Worldwide. He produced 4 online courses for the Bryan Peterson School of Photography from 2020–2024, which are now available for free on YouTube. Rick was Emcee and conference interviewer for Phoenix Design Week at the Phoenix Convention Center in 2019, and again in 2024. His mantra is “5 minutes or less or you’re working too hard.” (If it takes you more than 5 minutes to create, there’s probably something you don’t know about your software or workflow. Contact Rick!)

Sessions:

5617: Master the Newest AI Features in Adobe Creative Cloud

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Westin La Paloma

  • Business and Marketing Education
  • Communications Media Technologies

AI is no longer a future topic—it’s already reshaping how students edit, design, and think creatively. This seminar is built for high school Photoshop teachers who want to confidently understand and teach Adobe’s newest AI‑powered tools. Join Rick Burress for an educator‑focused walkthrough of the latest AI features in Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Adobe Camera Raw, including Generative Fill with partner models (Gemini, FLUX), Generative Expand, Harmonize, and new upscaling tools. Learn how these features work, where they shine or fail, and why students often struggle. Beyond the “wow factor,” the session emphasizes instructional clarity, ethics, and professional judgment—how to explain AI’s probabilistic nature, set realistic expectations, and teach when AI supports learning and when it undermines craftsmanship. You’ll see how modern AI tools integrate with traditional workflows, along with common student mistakes, quality‑control habits, and classroom-ready strategies. Bonus: attendees receive 400+ ready‑to‑use AI prompts to immediately support classroom instruction!

5618: Professional CTE Design Teaching: Workflow, Efficiency & Sanity

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Westin La Paloma

  • Business and Marketing Education
  • Communications Media Technologies

This half-day seminar targets high school Graphic Design and Photoshop teachers tired of “I lost my file,” “It didn’t save,” or constant restarts. Learn to teach professional habits that prevent chaos: clear naming conventions, logical folder structures, simple versioning, and non-destructive workflows using Smart Objects, adjustment layers, and linked assets. Show students why pros avoid “flatten and pray” so they can experiment fearlessly. Discover high-impact keyboard shortcuts, common timewasters, and fixes that speed work without sacrificing quality. Includes live demos, real classroom examples, handouts, and step-by-step how-to's ready for your lessons. Gain tools and strategies to boost efficiency, confidence, and professional discipline—while keeping your sanity intact.

5619: Photography Shoot & Edit Seminar: The Power of Black & White

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Westin La Paloma

  • Business and Marketing Education
  • Communications Media Technologies

This half-day seminar, designed for high school Photography teachers, explores black-and-white photography and editing—one of the most teachable visual disciplines. Monochrome strips images to essentials, sharpening students’ grasp of light, form, contrast, and storytelling—skills that enhance all design work. Rick Burress breaks down techniques from masters like Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Joel Grimes, and Platon, delivering clear, classroom-ready methods for Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Camera Raw. Topics include shooting with monochrome intent, powerful color-to-B&W conversions, mastering shadows/highlights/contrast, the three qualities of light, metering, high-key/low-key, Gestalt principles, and eye magnets. Editing focuses on non-destructive workflows, dodge & burn, histograms/curves, conversion sliders, and shortcuts for consistent looks. Includes samples, handouts, and step-by-step guides.

5620: Adobe Tips & Tricks for High School Graphic Design Educators

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Westin La Paloma

  • Business and Marketing Education
  • Communications Media Technologies

This fast-paced, hands-on half-day seminar is crafted for high school teachers of Graphic Design, Photography, and Visual Communications using Adobe tools. Gain practical, time-saving tips and best practices across Photoshop, Bridge, Lightroom Classic, Camera Raw, InDesign, and After Effects. Focus on efficiency, organization, and professional habits that prepare students for real-world success. Live demos use real samples, with clear handouts and step-by-step how-tos ready for your classroom. Tackle common challenges: tight schedules, mixed abilities, and shifting students from button-pushers to intentional designers. Examine AI’s impact on teaching, creativity, and careers—while blending it with timeless fundamentals. Leave with actionable ideas, resources, and stronger Adobe workflow knowledge for confident, effective instruction.