Our Core Values

LEADERSHIP - In business, reputation is everything. Having the courage to lead and organize differently sets SYNC apart.

As an industry leader, SYNC consistently collaborates with other industry leaders to provide unique and engaging experiences while bringing our community the Best of the Best!

INSPIRATION - Wherever your faith or hope lies, you will find compassion and optimism within the SYNC Community to give you the encouragement needed personally and professionally.

CREATIVE GROWTH - SYNC is a platform for discovering ways to grow as a creative person and a creative business owner.

Industry-leading educators that have real business experience continues to be a top priority for us while providing a fun and innovative experience overall to foster individual creativity and professional growth for our community.

IMPACT - SYNC is dedicated to investing in our community’s personal growth setting off a chain reaction of positive energy so powerful that we are making a real difference in their careers and personal lives.

TRUST - Positive relationships, reliability, honesty, and consistency contribute to building trustworthy relationships within the SYNC Community.

INTEGRITY - For SYNC, It’s about being responsible and doing what is right with excellence and respect for our family, friends, and community.

CONNECTION - When our absence doesn’t alter your life, then our presence has no meaning in it. When you are at SYNC, you are EXACTLY where you need to be. #SYNCwithFriends

About Our Events

SYNC: A Creative Community SYNCing Business & Life with Opportunity
This creative community of professional photographers, digital artists, studio owners, and industry service providers gather together to create, learn and inspire each other with business and life opportunities.

Whether you seek

… a community for inspiration to reignite your creativity
… resources to improve your photography
… to increase your sales & marketing
… to improve your business’ success
...a welcoming friendly portrait photography conference

SYNC is for YOU!

" The photography industry changes and evolves every day. As business owners, digital artists, and photographers, we need a conference that will help us evolve and grow with the ever-changing portrait photography market. SYNC was created in 2009 as a place for photographers to learn, share, and grow in a friendly open environment. Our show is more of a photography event instead of a traditional convention. SYNC combines both scheduled programming and relaxed get-togethers for professional photographers from all across the USA. The main stage educational programming will help you build your business and make your studio a success. The networking events will expand your creativity and build lasting friendships in the photography industry. The Sunday worship service will inspire you and help you grow in your faith. SYNC will provide you with the tools and knowledge to help your small business grow. When you attend SYNC and apply what you learn, you will achieve success. We welcome all portrait photographers to experience SYNC. You will love it!"

- Darty & Michele Hines

ABOUT THE OWNERS

Senior and Youth National Conference (SYNC) is owned and operated by Darty and Michele Hines. It was founded in November 2008 with its first event launched in January 2009, bringing their vision to life. Darty Hines is a professional photographer who has been in the industry for over 33 years, working with several prestigious photographers throughout his career. He and his wife, Michele, own and operate SYNC full-time.

Darty was a long-time member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), has won numerous industry awards, is an industry leader, and has always believed in quality education. He enjoys sitting on a beach listening to Kenny Chesney.

In addition to SYNC, Michele was the Director of Programs & Services at the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, PLNA, for approximately 13 years. Those thirteen years brought the experience of event planning, conferences, and trade shows to the SYNC family business. She enjoys video production and watching the hummingbirds in the backyard garden.

Darty and Michele met during college at the Ohio Institute of Photography in Dayton, OH, where the chemistry was not just in the darkroom. They married a few years after college graduation, have 3 beautiful daughters (Elise, Marissa, and Samantha), and currently reside in DeLand, Florida.

Together, they are a team that brings passion and commitment to your success. They do this through quality portrait and sports photography events and resources with top-notch educators for the creative community that provides a professional and personal experience like no other.

WHAT OUR FRIENDS SAY IS WHAT REALLY MATTERS

We can tell you all about our event, but the truth comes from the photographers who attend SYNC themselves. You will notice a reoccurring theme in our testimonials... friendship. SYNC really does bring people together and creates lasting life long relationships. #syncwithfreinds

The most loving and caring group as a whole. It’s truly a blessing to just be a part of this community that you and Michele have created together with a foundation of love for God and people. Very little drama if any... it looks pretty darn seamless in every way from an attendee standpoint. Any tiny glitches are not even worth mentioning because they are made up for in every other way! - Marci Ralph

SYNC is a conference where you not only learn things to better your business but your personal life. I have made some of my very best friends at SYNC!! Ones that challenge me, encourage me, and are willing to share things to help me grow professionally and personally! I LOVE that SYNC does not hide their faith and offers a worship service for all who want to attend. SYNC is hands down THE BEST "SENIOR" conference around! - Lisa Adams

SYNC gives me fresh eyes for my business each year! The speakers are down to earth and “get it”. They are in touch with what we all struggle with as artistic entrepreneurs. SYNC makes me a better photographer and a better business owner. I LOVE SYNC! - Amber Bounds

SYNC is my one and only...I love everything about it, but second to none is the RELATIONSHIPS that are life-changing and the best part!- Misty Malterud

I loved the encouragement I received by both attendees and presenters both before, during and now after attending. It is a family-centric experience that you really don't understand until you attend. I haven't been this on fire with passion for starting a new chapter in my business in forever and am thankful for the opportunity to be among like-minded people who want the best for each other. - Misty Enright

Not attending sync before I was a little star-struck by people presenting and then sitting next to me later that day. So many people are willing to share to help make you better than when you came. SYNC was a bucket list item for me and I don’t ever plan on missing another one! It’s like a family reunion every year.... in FLORIDA!!! - Eric Marr

I have been to other workshops/seminars in the past. I have felt lost at them, easy to get lost in the shuffle. SYNC is very inclusive. Everybody went out of their way to include me in their groups or shootouts or whatever was going on. Now that SYNC is over there is still a lot of info to process. I love how the FB group is helping with questions or examples of how to implement what we have learned. - Craig Lee

We are not a crowd. We are a family.

I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU. THEY ARE PLANS FOR GOOD NOT DISASTER. TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE. - JEREMIAH 29:11 (NLT)