5th Anniversary of OM SYSTEM (October 24th and 25th 2026

5th Anniversary of OM SYSTEM (October 24th and 25th 2026

Date: Saturday October 24th and Sunday October 25th (20256)

Time: TBA

Location: Physical photo walks and presentations TBA; Presentations will also be via Zoom and recorded.

No refunds, the summit will be recorded and available for ~4 weeks after the event.)

Join us for an inspiring and educational online summit as we celebrate the FIFTH anniversary of OM SYSTEM! This special event brings together several OM SYSTEM ambassadors and experts for a series of insightful presentations and engaging discussions on a range of photography topics.

Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of OM SYSTEM: An Online Summit

Event Schedule: TBA

Sample from last year, topics will be changed and photo walks added

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM: Chris McGinnis - “Field Craft: How to Find and Focus Stack True 1:1 Macro Insect Photography” 12:15-12:30 Q&A

Master the art of field craft as related to macro insect photography. Step into a world where jumping spiders strike heroic poses, praying mantises peer back with curious grace, and the intricate mosaics of fly eyes glisten like stained glass in the morning dew. Welcome to the artful adventure of 1:1 macro insect photography, guided by the passionate and perceptive Chris McGinnis. In this dynamic and visually rich program, Chris unveils the secrets of field craft — the often-overlooked skill of finding, approaching, and photographing elusive mini-wildlife in their natural habitats. Whether it's a wolf spider hiding in the leaf litter, a hoverfly basking on a sunflower, or a shimmering beetle tucked under bark, Chris teaches you how to discover wonder in the everyday and capture it in breathtaking detail. Whether it’s a rainforest leaf in Panama, a patch of moss in your backyard, or even a rooftop garden in the heart of New York City, Chris teaches you how to see the unseen — and then capture it with precision and artistry. This isn’t just a talk — it’s a masterclass in field craft. You’ll learn how to scout for subjects with intention and curiosity and how to approach and light your miniature models with patience and creativity. From chasing dew-drenched beetles at dawn to coaxing a jumping spider into the perfect pose, Chris brings a blend of technical know-how, quiet observation, and artistic flair that makes the tiny world come alive. Come explore:

• Techniques for locating photogenic bugs in the field (yes, even in your own backyard or city rooftop!)

• How to use light — both natural and artificial — to illuminate your subjects with drama and clarity

• The essentials of focus bracketing and focus stacking, both in-camera and in post-processing, to craft razor-sharp, full-depth images.

• And most importantly, how to move with the patience and presence needed to let these tiny creatures POP.

12:30-1:30 Steve Morello - “Naturalizing, Creating and Photographing a Backyard Safari” 1:30-1:45 Q&A

Step into a world where wild wonder is just outside your back door. Join renowned photographer and conservationist Steve Morello as he takes you on a journey through the heart of Little River, his rewilded haven in Southern Maine — a place where nature thrives, creativity blossoms, and every corner offers the thrill of discovery. In this enchanting and educational presentation, Steve will share how he transformed his property into a sanctuary for wildlife and a playground for photographers. With three distinct habitats — a river teeming with life, whispering woodlands, and a meadow bursting with wildflowers — this backyard-turned-safari is a masterclass in how intention and imagination can turn ordinary land into an extraordinary photographic retreat. From vibrant birdlife drawn to carefully placed feeding stations to shy foxes tiptoeing through blueberry bushes, every element on the property has been cultivated with care — not just to support wildlife, but to celebrate it through the lens. Even the vegetable garden becomes a stage for surprising moments of beauty. This program is a celebration of rewilding with purpose, of seeing nature in the right light, and of creating a space that not only invites wildlife, but also invites us to slow down, observe, and truly connect with the world around us.

You’ll leave inspired to explore your own outdoor spaces with new eyes — whether it’s a backyard, a park, or a windowsill — and to find “depth of feeling” in the familiar. Let Steve Morello show you how to turn your own little patch of earth into a canvas of living stories — a place where art, nature, and wonder meet.

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM: Lisa Cuchara - “Bird Photography : Beyond Shutter Speed and Aperture” 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM: Q&A

Take your bird photography to extraordinary heights with OM SYSTEM Ambassadors Tom and Lisa Cuchara. In this inspiring and informative presentation, you’ll explore how OM SYSTEM cameras and lenses empower photographers to go beyond traditional exposure settings and into a world where technology meets imagination.

Discover how computational innovation and intelligent camera design let you see — and capture — what was once invisible to the human eye. Learn how to leverage OM SYSTEM’s groundbreaking features, including subject detection, Pro Capture, SH2 high-speed frame rates, AF target selection, and high-resolution imaging, to freeze moments and behaviors that unfold in mere milliseconds.

From birds in mid-flight to tender interactions and unusual perspectives, Tom and Lisa will show how fieldcraft, creative vision, and OM SYSTEM’s precision tools combine to produce images that tell compelling visual stories.

You’ll gain insights into how to:

• Anticipate and capture split-second behaviors with Pro Capture mode

• Use lighting, composition, and background for dramatic storytelling

• Transform ordinary bird portraits into artistic, emotion-filled imagery

• See beyond the surface — revealing the hidden dynamics of birdlife

Whether you’re passionate about nature, storytelling, or the art of photography itself, this session will open your eyes to what’s possible when creativity and technology unite.

Come curious. Leave inspired. Discover how OM SYSTEM helps you not just photograph birds — but experience and express the wonder of their world like never before.

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM: “Finding ART” Long exposures, light, color, composition, shadows, and creativity! 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM: Q&A

“Finding ART” Come be inspired by Looooong exposures, LIGHT, color, composition, shadows, computational technologies like live time, live ND, and creativity!

About Art: Being a photographer is my job, but it's also a part of my life. I'm passionate about what I do and I want those who see my work to be moved by it.Its my hope they will experience what I've experienced and "get" what it is I'm trying to say. If I accomplish that,my career will have been worthwhile. The bonus is, I get to make unique photographs. In some mysterious way maybe it changes a life, an outlook, a mood, for just a few minutes in someone's life. To be able to do that it's worth all the effort and passion I put into my work. Looking and planning for an image is about light and composition. Photography is a subtractive art. We photographers pare away elements. We don't start with a blank canvas. We think about what is in front of us and how we will isolate and display the essence that we find unique. “I use Olympus and OM SYSTEM cameras and lenses because they offer me a lot of in-camera creativity which allows me to convey what I see in my heart and brain with the imagery I create.”

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Emilie Talpin - “Creativity with the OM-3 camera” 6:00 PM - 6:15 PM: Q&A

Step into the creative world of the OM SYSTEM OM-3 with Emilie Talpin as your guide. Discover how to harness the camera’s revolutionary CP (Computational Photography) button—your direct gateway to OM SYSTEM’s cutting-edge computational technologies. From Live ND and Focus Stacking to HDR and beyond, Emilie will show you how these intelligent features transform complex techniques into effortless creative expression. The CP (computational photography) button on the OM-3 (also on the OM5 mark II) is AMAZING!!

• This session isn’t just about learning settings — it’s about reimagining what’s possible.

• Emilie will inspire you to see the world through both your artistic vision and the computational power of your OM SYSTEM camera.

• Join us for an experience that blends heart, creativity, and innovation.

• Come curious. Leave empowered.

• Let your OM-3 (and other OM SYSTEM cameras) and its computational photography tools help you create images that are as imaginative as you are.

Moderator: Tom Cuchara.

OM SYSTEM ambassador Tom Cuchara will moderate the chat and the Q&A session, where you can engage directly with these wonderfully inspirational OM SYSTEM ambassadors.

Why Attend?

• Expert Knowledge: Gain valuable insights from leading OM SYSTEM ambassadors across various photography genres.

• Diverse Topics: Explore a wide range of subjects from travel and wildlife photography to macro, creative techniques, and night sky imagery.

• Interactive Learning: Participate in live Q&A sessions and interact with experts to deepen your understanding.

• Inspiration: Get inspired to enhance your photography skills and expand your creative horizons.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate OM SYSTEM’s milestone and elevate your photography skills. Register today to secure your spot in this exciting online summit!

Registration: (no refunds) (a link for a recording will be provided with access for ~2 weeks after the event)

We look forward to celebrating with you and exploring the art of photography together!

Questions? Contact us