Flickr Unveils MODE, Three-Day Immersive Photography Festival in Minneapolis

Flickr has launched MODE by Flickr, a three-day, citywide photography festival scheduled for Sept. 18–20, 2026, in downtown Minneapolis, with headline speakers Chris Burkard, Keith Ladzinski and Minneapolis native Jimmy Steinfeldt and Artist-in-Residence Brooke Shaden. Passes are on sale now, with general admission three-day passes starting at $330, a $30 discount for Flickr Pro members who pay $300, and VIP options up to $660.

Programming promises hands-on, in-person craft sessions including keynote conversations, workshops, live demos, editing tutorials, photowalks, film screenings, exhibitions and in-person portfolio reviews with industry professionals. Flickr framed the festival around getting photographers out of feeds and into real-world collaboration: “Photographers need something real. That’s why we’re bringing our community together for a three‑day festival in Minneapolis, dedicated to the craft of photography. With hands‑on workshops and demos, in‑person portfolio reviews with industry pros, and lectures from your photography heroes, MODE has something for everyone.”

Organizers emphasize experiential and community-focused elements rather than a conference trade format, with partner programming led by Polly Irungu of Black Women Photographers and a collaboration with the Inside Out Project. Bring Me The News and other outlets note festival offerings that span portrait shoots, opportunities to try new gear, climate-centered conversations, portfolio reviews and creator-led sessions across venues centered around downtown Minneapolis.

The announced lineup also includes portrait and fine art photographer Sandro Miller, documentary photographer Penny De Los Santos, Art Streiber, Rob Grimm and David Johnson, with organizers saying additional speakers and program details will be rolled out in the months ahead. DPReview and PetaPixel report that some lower-priced passes restrict access to select events, so attendees should check what each ticket tier covers before purchasing.

Fujifilm and HOVERAir are named sponsors for the inaugural MODE Festival, and PetaPixel reports the event is certified by the 1% for the Planet network as part of stated sustainability commitments. PetaPixel and Minnesotamonthly further note that accessibility across venues, diverse speaker representation and comprehensive safety planning are built into the festival structure.

Ben MacAskill, identified as President and COO at SmugMug & Flickr, framed MODE as a return to in-person community: “MODE is photography in motion—alive, interactive, and deeply rooted in community. For more than 20 years, Flickr has brought the world’s photographers together online. Now, we’re bringing that spirit away from devices and connecting in the real world with a festival built for creativity and the future of photography and visual arts.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey added local endorsement: “Minneapolis is proud to host the inaugural MODE Festival. This is a city that believes in artists and backs them up. MODE will showcase the creativity, small businesses, communities, and public spaces that make our city special.”

Minneapolis was selected in part for its arts infrastructure and track record hosting large events such as Super Bowl LII and the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and organizers say more precise venue names, daily schedules and additional partners will be announced ahead of the Sept. 18 start. Tickets are available now through the festival’s official ticketing channels, and Flickr has said more programming updates and speaker announcements are coming in the months before MODE.