Photo & Video Show 2024 Preview
Posted on Mar 12, 2024 by Samara Husbands
Showtime in Birmingham
Get up close and personal with the latest video equipment and learn from industry giants in the Photography & Video Show at the NEC
The Photography & Video Show is the largest event of its kind in the UK and Europe, aimed at photographers, videographers and content creators. It is so much more than a trade show packed with the latest equipment, as there are 350 seminars, how-to demonstrations and business advice workshops for professionals.
If you are a current or aspiring filmmaker who wants to fine-tune your craft, pick up some valuable tips to make your business more profitable or be inspired to do your best work, the Photography & Video Show is the place to be on 16-19 March at Birmingham’s NEC exhibition centre.
With fantastic transport links to Birmingham Airport next door, it’s an event that’s not to be missed, and tickets are on sale now. Pro photographers, filmmakers, content creators and image-making industry representatives can apply for free entry.
The event brings together more than 250 brands on the exhibition floor, including global names such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic Lumix and OM System. Video experts like Rode, Sennheiser, Amaran, Hollyland, Nanlite, Rycote, Saramonic, Zhiyun and Zoom are also there.
Many exhibitors will offer exclusive show promotions and offers, the chance to get hands-on with the newest tech and quiz the experts with great deals on equipment from a range of retailers.
This year, access to stage and theatre programmes in the exhibition hall is free to all showgoers, who can check out a great line-up of speakers. The show’s six stages feature well-respected image makers and industry professionals from across the world, inspiring the audience with stories, live demos and tutorials.
The Masterclass series will offer more in-depth insight for those looking to turn pro or who already work in the industry, plus workshop sessions with headline speakers. These cost extra though.
An international line-up of speakers includes Donatella Nicolini, a renowned Italian celebrity photographer, speaker and educator who was recognised as one of the ‘100 Successful Women of 2023’ by Forbes Italia.
UK-based image maker, filmmaker, author and speaker Sean Tucker has told visual stories for individuals, NGOs and multinational corporations across over 20 countries.
He has extensive experience as a solo filmmaker and photographer, creating impactful projects with meaningful messages. Sean shares his philosophy for the creative life, which he details in his book The Meaning in the Making.
Though the show has plenty of stills exhibitors and speakers, there’s plenty for filmmakers to see and do with equipment and lots of inspiring presenters.
Find beginner masterclasses in video, with talks from filmmaker Jenny Alice on choosing the right kit, DOP Rick Bronks on capturing great audio, and Ian Sayers sharing his step-by-step guide to video editing plus a class on visual storytelling. Turning pro masterclasses give tips for transitioning into moviemaking.
The Pro Lounge Live is a place where small group discussions will coax out fundamental advice about the world of pro filmmaking. Working professionals can get access to the Pro Lounge for a sit down, a drink and to relax, network or meet colleagues.
The Creator stage features filmmaker Harrison Emmanuel, content creator Jimmy Cheng, YouTuber Evan Edinger and many more, discussing everything from vlogging to building a business on YouTube. Finally, James Hoffmann, who runs one of the world’s biggest YouTube channels about coffee, will be talking about how he built his empire.
Mastering Motion with Adam Duckworth
For the latest about video and film production – from the art of storytelling to choosing and using the right kit, capturing the essential audio and video editing – head to the In Motion Studio.
Speakers include Jim Marks, who made the change from high-end stills photographer to in-demand DOP on both ads and feature films. At 11.30am on 17 March, he’ll be talking about hybrid filmmaking – making the switch to movies.
At 3pm on 16 March, Pro Moviemaker editor in chief Adam Duckworth will be presenting a session called Demystifying Video Technology. This presentation is about understanding the tech settings such as codecs, shooting in Log, high-speed frame rates, Raw files and more.
This session aims to take the technobabble out of shooting video – or, at least, make it more simple to understand.
First published in the March/April 2024 issue of Pro Moviemaker.
