04/29/2026
By PPWC Professional Photographers of the Wine Country

An Inspiring Photography Conversation Awaits in Sonoma County

PPWC Professional Photographers of the Wine Country is pleased to welcome photographers to a special Q&A event with Liza Gershman in Petaluma, CA. This gathering is designed to spark ideas, encourage professional growth, and bring together creatives who value education, connection, and meaningful exchange.

Hosted in the heart of downtown Petaluma, this event reflects PPWC’s commitment to supporting photographers through programs that inspire learning in a polished, welcoming environment.

Event Details

Tuesday, May 12th
5:00 Dinner Social @ Stockholm
220 Western Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952

6:30 Meeting @ Hotel Petaluma
205 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, Ca 94952

 

PPWC Members: Free to attend
Non-Members: $15 Donation at the door
First Time Guests: Free

About Liza

Liza is a multidisciplinary storyteller, Best-Selling Author of 19 Published Books and Winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook Award (2018), with a Master's Degree in English & American Literature and a Photography degree, Liza Gershman has nearly two decades of industry experience working in all facets of Publishing, Commercial and Editorial photography, writing and design, Art Direction and Creative Direction.
As the honored curator of the VSCO installation for SCOPE Miami Beach 2024, Liza is thrilled to present the work of artists who inspire her, showcasing their diverse perspectives and creative approaches. Her deep commitment to visual storytelling is reflected in every project, offering viewers a space to engage with the complexity of human experience.


Former Associate Chair of Photography at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Liza is an educator and brings her passion for photography to the classroom.
Liza’s 19th and most recent book, County Fair: Nostalgic Blue Ribbon Winning Recipes From America’s Small Towns, was featured by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the TEN BEST BOOKS ABOUT FOOD of 2021 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-best-books-about-food-of-2021-180979207/ .


Liza’s 12th book, Cuban Flavor, sold out its first print run in 3 short weeks, won the Gourmand World Cookbook Award, is a Number 1 Best-Seller in two categories on Amazon, featured by National Geographic as one of the top 18 books of 2018 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/inspiring-travel-books-to-read Nantucket: Classic American Style 30 Miles Out to Sea, was released July, 2020.
Featured on CBS and in Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, on NPR, and many additional local and national publications and radio shows, Liza has been honored to speak for Talks At Google, and on the prestigious campuses of LinkedIn, Google, Uber, Twitter, Oracle, and Disney, to name a few. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxqj1aMlfb8 .

As a photographer, stylist and Art Director, Liza was very honored to have a photograph of hers selected as the cover of the celebrated industry publication, Workbook, for their 41st edition. Workbook is the leading industry publication for professional Commercial photographers. In 2020 she photographed a cookbook for Mountain Dew.

Liza regularly teaches, writes and presents for celebrated companies including Creative Live and Canon USA. She was honored to nationally launch the 6D camera for CanonUSA, and the T6 camera. Prior to that, she worked as the in-house Senior Digital Photographer for Williams-Sonoma, and continues to freelance for clients including Goldman Sachs, Pepsi Co., Hyatt Hotels, Restoration Hardware, Safeway, Party City, Getty Images, AirBnB, Visa, and Hinckley Yachts. In 2010, Liza was Governor Jerry Brown's campaign photographer, and in 2014 was a photographer for America's Cup.
Liza’s written work has garnered many accolades. She has been published in dozens of newspapers and magazines over the last 20 years, and had a monthly article in the San Francisco Chronicle Travel Section, writing tips on top destinations for a monthly column called “5 Places”, and continues to write about travel, food and culture in articles and book form.

Many of Liza’s notable clients include celebrity chefs, restaurants, wineries, beverage brands, fashion brands, spas and hotels that have taken her around the globe to visit and work in 55 countries and 47 states.


RSVP by commenting below or send us an email through our website.

 

See you then!

 
01/06/2026
By PPWC - Professional Photographers of the Wine Country

Join us for our Annual Awards Dinner at KIN in downtown Windsor as we celebrate PPWC's Photographer of the Year, People's Choice Award, and 1st-3rd place winners in each category. 

KIN 
4:30 to 7:00pm
740 McClelland Dr, Windsor, CA 95492

Ticket Includes:
Caesar Salad, Entree, Dessert, One Non-Alcoholic Beverage
Entrees choices include:

Entrees Options*

Seasonal Roasted Chicken | Served with risotto and seasonal vegetables

Seasonal Risotto | A vegetarian risotto prepared with the season’s produce offerings

Salmon | Served over rice and seasonal vegetables

Braised Short Ribs | Red wine braised short ribs with demi-glace, creamy polenta and topped with fresh rosemary


No-host bar

Guests are welcome! You may purchase a ticket for your guest too.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

To reserve your seat, please purchase your ticket below:

 
01/06/2026
By PPWC - Professional Photographers of the Wine Country

January is here—and it’s time to renew your PPWC membership!

Not a member yet? There’s no better time to join. Membership gives you a full year of educational and social experiences alongside Wine Country’s photography leaders.

As a member, you’ll enjoy monthly meetings with guest speakers covering both the business and creative sides of photography, along with Image Competitions designed to challenge you and elevate your work. And because we love community as much as craft, you’ll also find us learning together at workshops, exploring local galleries, and occasionally heading out for a relaxed wine-tasting adventure.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re thrilled to bring you an exciting lineup of educational speakers and a refreshed approach to our much-loved Image Competitions—designed to inspire growth, creativity, and connection.

Join us - we’d love to have you!

*PPWC is a Community Network Partner of Professional Photographers of America.

 
09/03/2025
By PPWC - Professional Photographers of the Wine Country

This will possibly be one of the most important meetings of the year!

Join us with Betty Wonderful, marketing strategist extraordinaire focusing on storybrand & clear messaging. 

As a bonus, this interactive evening will be focused on YOUR websites! Submit yours TODAY (aka: asap so Betty has a moment to review) simply by emailing us with your link (Open to members only. Websites will be reviewed at the presentation).

 

DATE AND DETAILS

Tuesday, September 23rd

Meeting begins at 6:30pm

Media Room || Community Church of Sebastopol

PPWC Members: Free

Non-Members Pass: $45 || Guest Pass Here

 

Dinner Social at 5:00pm

Hopmonk in Sebastopol

 

Learn more about Betty at:

https://www.bettywonderful.com

A NOTE FROM BETTY:

I love helping entrepreneurs and businesses succeed. I also love connecting people with each other so our community flourishes. I believe that strong businesses thrive when they put their customer first.

I am a wine and food enthusiast, WSET II, curious explorer and mom. In my free time, I am enjoying wines, sushi, taking in the cool Sonoma coast on the extra hot days, or playing Iron Chef with my daughter. I love being creative and arts & crafty. Great wine recharges me. It's actually why I moved to Wine Country.

SEPTEMBER BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Join us for a special presentation with Nick from Zno Instant, the leading instant photo delivery platform for event photographers. Nick will share how Zno Instant helps photographers deliver photos in real time and stand out from the crowd. Zno is also a full-service professional print lab with a suite of software tools to support photographers from shoot to sale.

We’ll have some great giveaways and free gifts for those who attend. Be sure to join us!

SEE YOU THEN!

 
07/18/2025
By PPWC - Professional Photographers of the Wine Country

Hello Friends!

Our next event is our Summer Barbeque at Harvey's Country-side home in Sebastopol. 

A Guy and his Grill (Tim Conger) will be preparing some mouth-watering chicken, bbq beans, and creamy mac and cheese. Bring your chair and a friend! 

Join us on Sunday, August 17th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

RSVP by August 8th

PPWC MEMBERS: Bring a side dish to share & a chair

GUEST: Purchase a guest ticket below & bring a chair