Florence, here we come! Dive into the full schedule of events and workshops planned for Way Up North this May in Italy's heart.
By Way Up NorthUpdated 13 October 2026
WAY UP NORTH FLORENCE
Way Up North lands in Italy this May for the 15th edition of our event, this time embracing the historic beauty and artistic charm of Florence. As the event draws closer, the anticipation builds to gather once again with our vibrant community at Cinema La Compagnia, our gracious host venue.
The theme for our Florence edition is “You Thought You Knew You“. This powerful concept serves as the backbone of our presentations, challenging presenters and attendees alike to dive deep into their creative souls. It’s a call to question, to evolve, and to see oneself through a new lens, fostering an environment ripe for personal and artistic growth.
Below is the schedule for the show. Let’s get at it!
MAY 6TH
CANON CLEAN & CHECKS
An ongoing feature at Cinema La Compagnia during the event will be Canon’s Clean & Checks. Canon returns to Florence to offer these services free of charge for guests! Read here how you can take advantage of this excellent opportunity throughout your stay in Italy.
Join the fun at Palazzo Corsini with Canon, our Platinum sponsor, during Way Up North in Florence! Get hands-on with the Canon mirrorless EOS R System and lenses as you sample new gear near the scenic Lungarno river. Just bring your SD or CFexpress card to save your shots. A styled shoot with the newest kit, in a Florentine palazzo. While the shoot is already at capacity, it’s a highlight of the unique experiences that await you in Florence. Prepare for an unforgettable kick-off to your Way Up North experience, and who knows, maybe it’s the perfect time for that gelato or espresso break!
Note: This event is at capacity and both shoots are now full. If spots become available, an email will go out to all guests who are coming to Way Up North.
15:30 – 17:30 | STYLED SHOOT WITH JEFF CHANG
Kick off your Way Up North experience with a free styled shoot through Florence’s picturesque streets for a hands-on portfolio-building session with an incredible couple. Led by Jeff of The Apartment Photo, an internationally awarded photographer with 15 years of experience.SIGN-UP LINK SENT ON APRIL 28TH
Kick off your Way Up North experience with a casual meetup at Plaz! This pre-event registration is the perfect opportunity to pick up your badge, meet fellow attendees, and get into the Florence vibe.
Upon arrival at Plaz, there’s no hassle with tickets, just find our friendly team, stationed conveniently near the entrance. Flash any ID with your name, and you’ll be equipped with your all-important event badge, your key to the exciting days ahead on May 7th and 8th at Cinema La Compagnia.
Can’t join us on May 6th? No worries! We’ll be ready to hand out badges at Cinema La Compagnia as well. While we’d love to see your smiling faces at Plaz, ensuring you get your badge is what counts most.
20:30 ONWARDS | CANON OKE | RED GARTER (VIA DEI BENCI, 33)
Way Up North has a tradition – impromptu karaoke sessions spring up every time, so we mentioned this to our platinum sponsor Canon who pitched the idea of CanonOke and we agreed “Let’s make it official-ish on our schedule.” But, keep in mind, it’s as unofficial as it gets: no formal invites, no private bookings. Just show up if the mood strikes, and remember, the crowd isn’t just us; the public’s in on the fun too.
So, if you’re feeling adventurous, join us for a night where off-key renditions are celebrated, and laughter’s guaranteed. Just a heads-up: we haven’t magically paused the clock for this – the show starts on time the next morning, no matter how many encores you call for at Canon Oke. See you there, vocal chords ready or not!
Brace yourselves for a fun couple of days led by the one and only Nadja Endler at Cinema La Compagnia! With her quirky coolness and clever charm, Nadja is not your ordinary host. She’s a familiar face in the Way Up North community, known for her unique approach and spirited personality. Keeping the beats flowing and the atmosphere electric, Adriana Mižigárová and Ondrej Rychnavský are back to ensure the vibes are just right. This trio is set to make our Florence days unforgettable with their blend of humour, creativity, and cool.
RAÏS DE WEIRDT | 5 KEYS TO UNLOCKING MORE FREEDOM IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY
We love our job. There is no shadow of a doubt. But we all have a mission that propels us forward: do you know exactly what it is? Let’s get together on a journey talking pricing, business & mindset. And maybe… Just maybe. Some insight will unlock something for you too.
STEFANIE AICHNER | THE NOMATTERTHEWEATHER ATTITUDE IN FILMMAKING
Driven by excitement and letting go of what cannot be controlled Stefanie will talk about her journey as a director and wedding filmmaker and how one influenced the other.
ADRIANA MORAIS | FEMINIST WEDDINGS & CLAIM YOUR SPOT
Is putting feminism and weddings in the same sentence contradictory? Maybe yes, but I like to rethink the concept of weddings where there is room for feminism. I want to share with you how I managed to claim my spot in a way that respected who I am and attracted clients with the same ideals. Always with empathy and respecting the identity of my couples.
PROFOTO PRESENTS | ANDERS HANNOLA | LIGHT MISSIONARY
Anders is a well-known face for many photographers from Profoto Academy. What Anders does not know about lighting is not worth knowing. As a photographer, his main focus is music-artists and creating artsy portraits. With light shaping as one of his biggest passions, he has sculpted unique portraits of many famous artists.
GALLERY WUN | SPRING 2024 EDITION BY MAGIC
Brace yourselves for a delightful twist at Way Up North, crafted by the enigmatic Magic. This segment? It’s shrouded in secrecy but intimately involves you. The details? They remain our little secret until Florence unveils them. Curiosity piqued? Perfect!
Get ready for the much-anticipated unveiling of the 2023 Way Up North Awards winners! This segment celebrates the incredible talent and community spirit of European wedding photographers, showcasing the winners from all categories of the 2023 WUN Awards.
MORGANE GIELEN | SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES WITH INCLUSIVE IMAGING
In this presentation, I’ll delve into the transformative power of inclusive imaging, weaving together insights from my own journey as a photographer committed to capturing the richness of diversity. From overcoming biases to embracing new perspectives, I’ll share how my evolving approach has not only shaped my artistry but also contributed to fostering greater understanding and representation within the visual landscape.
Can we understand the creative energy we put into our personal and business relationships and can we honour ourselves and our partners at the same time. Don’t worry it’s not a TED talk, but there’s a lot to unpack!
Curious about video but can’t get into it? We know the feeling – it can be daunting when first starting out. Canon Europe’s video guru, Jack Adair, demystifies video tech in layman’s terms, while Canon Ambassador Fabio Mirulla shares his transition from photos to videos.
Note: This event is at capacity and now full. If spots become available, an email will go out to all guests who are coming to Way Up North.
20:00 – 21:30 | STORYTELLING EVENING BY PIC-TIME & CANON | CINEMA LA COMPAGNIA (VIA CAMILLO CAVOUR, 50/R)
Have you got a photo that connects with the theme “Oops! When Things Go Wrong”? If yes, submit it for the Storytelling Evening hosted by Pic-Time and Canon!
The Storytelling Evening is a WUN original event, and a social gathering that shares amazing stories from the WUN community. So if you have a story you’d like to speak about for 2 – 5 minutes in front of the community, submit it!
Then what happens is everyone is welcome to come to the Storytelling Evening (just remember to wear your badge). And while we’re together at the gathering, if your photo comes on the screen, head up to the stage and share the story behind your photo.
Thank you to Pic-Time and Canon for supporting this event, and see you there!
Grab an espresso, take a stroll to Ponte Vecchio for sunrise, and give your body a big stretch after day one! Day two at Cinema La Compagnia welcomes us back to explore “You Thought You Knew You” and another day of presentations and surprises!
10:00 – 11:00 | BLOCK FIVE
OPI KAUR | IS YOUR ART SPEAKING YOUR SOUL?
When you took the plunge to start your business, a fire was lit inside you, a force of energy pushing you forward. But, somewhere along the way, you may have set aside some of your art to focus on achieving business success. Perhaps you stopped listening to your intuition and instead tuned into the demands of the market, your clients, and even adopting strategies that seemed to work for your competitors…leaving you feeling, well, a bit lost. Because deep down, your body knows, and you know. Do you want your art to speak your soul? While attracting clients rather than chasing them? I invite you to join me with an open mind as we reconnect with our soul’s purpose.
MYRIAM MÉNARD (WUNX) | MY BUSINESS; MY CREATIVE RENAISSANCE
Reflection on the passion I’ve discovered for business challenges. I’d chosen this career because I believed I could deploy my creativity primarily through the medium of photography. In fact, far beyond finding creativity in photography, I’ve instead learned to frankly appreciate the strategy, marketing and direction I give my brand. I’ll talk about my journey as a person living with ADD through what led me to make big decisions like understanding, among other things, that the client I know well and am familiar with isn’t necessarily the one who does good for my business.
MARTINA LANOTTE (WUNX) | IS YOUR BRAND TRULY INCLUSIVE?
Ever wondered how to attract LGBTQIA+ couples? In this talk you’ll learn how to honestly assess your brand’s inclusivity and uncover areas of improvement .Through practical insights and actionable strategies, we’ll fill the gap between intention and impact, empowering you to attract and connect with a broader spectrum of people.
TAYLOR JACKSON (WUNX) | ADDING VIDEO TO YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS
I thought I knew what both myself and my clients wanted when getting into the wedding photography space. I was wrong. Five years into my career I started offering simple videos and my business doubled in the next year. This is a 10 minute session on everything you need to know to get started with the equipment you already have.
I live in the Arctic. 20 miles above the arctic circle to be exact. Living this far up north is often different in so many ways and requires different solutions to things. Snow weddings in the summer? Yes. High season during winter? Also yes. Dark 24/7 in December? Very much yes.
Defying lousy odds and refusing physical boundaries. Get over real or imagined limitations and flip the script on what YOU think would be impossible in an industry all about perfection.
Get ready for the much-anticipated unveiling of the 2023 Way Up North Awards winners! This segment celebrates the incredible talent and community spirit of European wedding photographers, showcasing the winners from all categories of the 2023 WUN Awards.
Wedding Photography for Govinda isn’t just about Money and getting the job done. It’s a deliberate journey towards a work space that fosters inspiration. He thrives on collaborating with clients who share his vision, where creativity is celebrated and not stifled. The key ingredient? Fun. Govinda believes that injecting a sense of enjoyment into the process fuels his passion and allows him to produce his best work. This ideal environment isn’t just about productivity; it’s about creating a space where purpose and pleasure can co-exist.
‘Checking Out Before Checking In’ is a love letter to my younger self if anything, wishing that I didn’t conform for as long as I did. My jet-lagged self will nudge you to look beyond just two people, and remind you that funnily enough. slowing down, will actually speed you up. I got my life back through a game of changing. To enjoy is the only thing.
21:00 – 02:00 | WOODEN BANANA PARTY | FULL UP CLUB (MAP)
If you’ve never been to Way Up North, you’re in for an iconic end of the show. This years theme: WHITE BANANA PARTY!
This year, we’re taking the celebration to the Full Up Club, where the theme is all about dazzling in white. It’s not just a party; it’s a chance to embody the spirit of the event in your brightest whites.
Our long-time sponsor, Wooden Banana, brings this iconic night to life with an opening set by the dynamic duo Adriana Mižigárová and Ondrej Rychnavský, setting the stage for Michael Antonia to turn the room into hysterics.
Remember, your Way Up North ticket automatically adds you to the guest list. Want to bring a friend who’s not attending Way Up North? Grab an extra ticket for €25, and they’re in! Just make sure everyone’s on the guest list; it’s the golden ticket to this unforgettable night.
Note: You must be on the guest list to attend this event. They will check names at the door and refuse entry for anyone not on the guest list.
