If it’s early enough for Selfridges to open its Christmas shop (145 days before the day itself), then it’s probably about time to think about next year’s annual trade show and convention, run by The Societies.

The umbrella organisation, which includes the Society for Wedding and Portrait Photographers and claims to be the astest growing world association for professional photographers, has already lined up 150 slots for its workshops and lectures at its 10-16 January event in west London, with John Swannell set to appear as its headline speaker.

The fashion and portrait photographer is world renowned for his commissions shot for the likes of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Tatler, with whom he’s been collaborating since the 1960s.

“Horst and Bailey [whom he once assisted] influenced me early on,” he told Diane Smyth in an interview with Diane Smyth four years ago. “When you first start you take things from other photographers. But after a couple of years you have to develop your own style. If you don't, you fall by the wayside. The minute you start taking pictures that you think other people will like, or you're too influenced by another photographer's work, you begin to lose your way.

“You have to follow your heart. That's what I've done. I don't think my photography has changed over time. I just try to make the girl look as beautiful as possible.”

Swannell was named an honorary fellow of The Societies at its awards night earlier this year, and he’ll return next January to give a talk about his life’s work, telling the stories behind some of the images that will be shown in an exhibition at the convention.

Additional speakers include Clive Nichols, one of the world’s most acclaimed garden photographers, Gary Fong, inventor of the Lightsphere Flash Diffusor, and wedding photographer Damien Lovegrove. Plus there will be the usual mix of masterclass workshops, business-oriented seminars and a trade show (running 14-16 January) giving access to more than 250 imaging companies.