B&H photo is hosting another Bild Expo 2025, and I’ve registered to attend.  The expo, now in its third year, is sort of a combination of a photography industry trade show, and a photography/film/content creation seminar with speakers and educational tracks.  Photography trade shows have had a rough go of it since before the global pandemic.  Many see the Bild Expo as a sort of spiritual successor to the old Photo Plus show, which also took place at the Jacob Javits center in New York.  I’ve been looking for an excuse to get back to New York City.  Unbelievably, I think it’s been 15 years since I was last in New York.

My plan is to fly in the morning of the expo on June 17th.  I think the Expo starts at 9am so I’ll likely arrive about an hour or so late the first morning.  The expo runs both the 17th and the 18th, but I don’t anticipate I’ll stay all day, every day.  The biggest draws for me will be:

1. The Photo Walks – Bild is advertising there will be photo walks you can sign up for, though where and (additional cost?) what time I don’t yet know.  But the escalating crime in NYC has kept me away for a few years, so being in a large group to take photos of the city seems like a great idea.
2. The Lighting Experience – “Level up your lighting skills in Bild’s dedicated photo and video lighting studios. Experts will share their expertise in these small, hands-on sessions..”  I’m hoping to better learn how to light my YouTube videos to get that “Peter McKinon” look.
3. Bild Disco – “Channel the energy of the disco era with a vibrant photoshoot filled with dazzling lighting effects and retro vibes. Capture the essence of 1970s glam and bring your boldest dance moves to life.” Sounds like a unique shooting experience I’ll have to try.
4. Speakers – there are a handful of speakers I’m interested in seeing/meeting.  Jarod “Fro Knows Photo” Polin.  Scott Kelby (great, entertaining speaker I first saw in 2012 at the Cincinnati Photo Pro Expo.  Maybe Peter Hurley (Canon Explorer of Light).  Maybe Thomas Kim, Director of Product Management, Creator Monetization, and Support at YouTube.  Maybe Joe McNally.  They have a surprisingly long list of speakers…most of whom I’ve never heard of before.  I’m surprised with the number of YouTubers and famous photographers in NY that they don’t have more name recognition speakers.  But perhaps more will be added.
5. The Exhibitors – Bild has a huge list of big name brand that will be exhibiting at the expo.  I have no photo industry contacts to get equipment for review, so there are many companies I’m interested in speaking to at Bild.  Canon, Fujifilm, Sony, Panasonic, OM Systems, Sigma, DJI, Leica, Lowepro, ProGrade Digital, Godox, Laowa, Atmos, BlackRapid, PgyTech – just to name a few.  Interacting with the exhibitors may be what I’m looking forward to the most.
6. Portfolio review.  I’ll probably bring my iPad along and let someone do a portfolio review and tell me how crappy of a photographer I am.  Sounds like fun.

I don’t think what I’m interested in seeing and doing  at the Expo will take all day, both days.  But it’s early – maybe (hopefully) there will be photo walks at night?  I’ll know more when the finalize the schedule.  But I’m hoping to do some site seeing.  I plan on staying in Manhattan.  So Trump Tower.  Central Park.  One World Trade Center, Wall Street.  The Rolex Building.  Time Square.  My flight home isn’t until 6:30 on the 19th so hopefully I can get it all in.

I’ve already put in for a dinner reservation at the new Centurion New York.  It’s owned by American Express and they only take reservations from Black and Platinum card owners, and has only been open since 2023.

It’s A very exclusive, “Members Only” club and notoriously difficult to get a reservation.  Fingers crossed.

It should be a FANTASTIC trip that I’m REALLY looking forward to.  In terms of gear, here’s what I’m thinking:

CAMERAS:  Canon R5 Mark II, Fujifilm X100VI, DJI Osmo Pocket 3

LENSES:  Canon RF 24-70 L f2.8, Voightlander RF 50mm f1.0

BAG:  Loewpro Slingshot 102AW.

IF I can resist also bringing my Canon R6 Mark II, then I think I can get everything in the Lowepro sling bag.  Particularly if I bring my SCOTTeVest that makes for a great photographer’s vest.  But it will be June and very got so I don’t know that the vest will work during the day.  I’ll probably be fine while I’m inside the expo has those places tend to be cold anyway.

I’m planning on taking plenty of photos of the expo and I’ll do a video from my YouTube channel.  Check back for more updates as we get closer to June and the expo.