Photography enthusiasts have a great chance this weekend to catch up on the latest trends in the industry and learn from some of the professionals on various topics.
The Little Rock Photo Expo, the second annual, is set for Friday and Saturday at the Embassy Suites Hotel at 11301 Financial Centre Parkway. The expo is being hosted by Bedford Camera & Video.
The itinerary for the two-day expo includes two keynote speakers, a photography contest, several instructional classes and a trade show.
The two keynote speakers are Hanson Fong and Joe McNally.
Fong is known as one of the premier wedding and portrait photographers across the world. He has more than 30 years of experience.
“I had the pleasure of sitting in on one of Hanson Fong’s seminars and I immediately knew we had to have him for our Photo Expo in Little Rock,” John Rose, of Bedford Camera & Video, said in a statement. “Hanson demonstrated his successful posing and lighting techniques, which can be applied to both portrait and wedding photography.”
McNally, whose career also spans more than 30 years, has been on assignment in more than 50 countries, including time spent as a Sports Illustrated contract photographer and Life staff photographer. He’s currently a contributor for National Geographic.
First, second and third place prizes, in addition to honorable mention, will be awarded for the expo’s photo contest, The Great Arkansas Scavenger Hunt. Contestants were to submit at least eight of 15 points of interest to qualify. The points of interest included the state Capitol, the Clinton Presidential Center, Pinnacle Mountain, Garvan Gardens, Mount Nebo and the Big Dam Bridge. The top ten finalists will have a 20-inch x 24-inch gallery wrap canvas on display at the expo.
The first place winner will get a $200 gift card to Bedford, second place a $100 gift card, third place a $50 gift card and honorable mention a $25 gift card.
The expo’s trade show will include the chance to try out the latest lighting equipment from Westcott, camera gear from KEH for purchase and much more. For more on the trade show, click here.
Below is a schedule for the expo, including instructional classes. Instructors for the class include Jason Crader, Ron Jackson, Judy Host, Michael Baxley, Dero Sanford, Denny Grandle, Gary and Kathy Meek, and Benjamin Krain. Access to everything is $99.99. To purchase tickets, click here.
Friday
•Judy Host: The Secrets to Creating Beautiful Portraits; 5-6:15 p.m.
•Hanson Fong: Canon Explorer of Light; 7-9 p.m.
•Trade show closes at 10 p.m.
Saturday
•Registration/Trade show opens; 7-8 a.m.
•Benjamin Krain: Journalism Photography; 8-9:15 a.m.
•Judy Host: Art of Available Light – Sigma; 8:15-9:30 a.m.
•Gary & Kathy Meek: Fundamentals of Photography; 9:45-11 a.m.
•Dero Sanford: Photography Marketing “How to Sell Yourself;” 10-11:15 a.m. (SOLD OUT)
•Lunch; 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
•Ron Jackson: Demystifying HDR Photography; 12:15-1:30 p.m.
•Jason Crader: The Basics of Portrait Composition; 12:30-1:45 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
•Alex Kent: Landscape Photography; 2-3:15 p.m.
•Michael Baxley: Basic Portrait Lighting; 2:15-3:30 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
•Nikon Lighting Experience: Hands on Experience; 3:45-5:15 p.m.
•Denny Grandle: Travel Photography from Around the World: The People & Culture; 4-5:15 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
•Joe McNally: Keynote Address; 7-9 p.m.
•Trade show closes at 10 p.m.