Last year I had written an article about why I don’t shoot at conventions. A lot of it was for logistical reasons (not enough space, the time pressure, no guarantee that the spot you wanted to use won’t be taken up by others when you want to shoot, etc). But some of it was for creative reasons. The primary one being that when you have all of these factors that are forcing how exactly you have to shoot it doesn’t leave a lot of leeway for creative interpretation. Secondly when there’s so many people around doing the same thing it’s a lot more difficult to stand out as an artist if everyone from that event is putting out work that looks similar.
5 Things You’ll Need at a Photography Convention
I’m getting ready to go to Nashville later this month for Imaging USA. I actually just got back from a trip and figure that if I put off unpacking my suitcase long enough, I will already be packed for Nashville. I am nothing if not a problem solver.
Now, I’ve attended my fair share of conventions, so when my friend, Brian, shared a link to an slrlounge.com article entitled, “5 Must Have Items When Attending Photography Workshops,” I got real excited to see if the items in my suitcase made the list.
Not one of them did.
And it shocked me. It was as though the article rubbed it’s socked feet against the carpet and touched my shoulder. Shocked. For the article states the following five items are must haves: a camera, lens, business cards, a notebook and a portable charger.
Please, not even.
Come…take my hand and let me guide you through the murky waters of packing for a photography convention. You can take the aforementioned items, but what you’ll really need are the following:
10 Tips for Better Photography Conventions and Trade Shows
It’s a new year and that means a new round of photography conventions and trade shows. I’m writing this about 2,000 miles from where I’m actually supposed to be right now, which is the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Family obligations, freakishly cold weather, and gremlins all conspired to keep me away from what would have been my first CES. I even had press credentials. So if you’re there and can convince someone in charge to give you my swag bag, it’s yours.
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