Coming up this weekend I have a half-hour time slot to do some sort of a photographic demonstration at our annual trade-show. I've been thinking about what I could do, but am literally stumped to come up with anything that I think would work.
The half-hour includes set-up and take-down time as well. So to do anything like bringing my studio lights/backdrop and doing a sample portrait session really isn't going to work. It takes too long to set things up and by the time I would make it so, I'd likely have not much more than 5 minutes to "demonstrate" before I'd have to start the take-down.
Same thing with bringing a laptop/projector/screen to display images etc. Too long to set up and take down with minimal time to "demonstrate".
I could just shoot tethered to my laptop, but in a trade show environment, to try and show a crowd of people images or examples of anything on a laptop screen just doesn't sound feasible.
These things being said, if you were in my shoes what would you do? Is there some creative way to illustrate some aspect of photography, or to provide some sort of photographic education in a short amount of time with minimal setup?
I'm open to any and all suggestions.
__________________ Curtis Cunningham
Photography and Graphic Design www.photistry.com
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
The only thing that comes to mind would be show and tell. You could have a collection of lenses or filters and a slide show that demonstrates their use. For example interiors shot with and with out a PC lens, or lens babies, or a slide show showing how you setup a portrait shoot on location.
I've been to many of these 30 minute dog and pony shows. My favorite are the ones done at the PDN in NYC. OF those my favorite was Dave Black. I think that you could model something in the way he does his presentation you would be well received. The idea it to walk up to the podium with a laptop cued up and ready and not stop talking for 30 minutes.
It also depends a lot on who you are presenting to.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
By "Trade Show" I meant an exposition where local businesses here in Smithers gather under one roof for two days to display their wares/services. There's door prizes, food, entertainment in addition to all the indoor and outdoor exhibits. The event will be taking place in the Smithers Civic Centre.
There will be a stage at one end of the auditorium where I would be presenting.
I suppose I could allow for 5 minutes of setup and 5 minutes of take down, leaving 20 minutes to "demonstrate". So I guess the question is, should I bring a projector and screen along, can I get everything hooked up and ready to go in 5 minutes.
__________________ Curtis Cunningham
Photography and Graphic Design www.photistry.com
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Have your laptop on standby and yes bring a projector, any wall will do, even a white sheet if need be. Small flashes with slaves will do also, no need for the big lights.... also even a small light tent if you shot small product items. Show how to shoot items for ebay if nothing else comes to mind, small hand models from the crowd, hand with jewelery, hand with flowers, Good Luck and keep smiling
__________________ Scott Nadow
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I would use your time as an opportunity to show your local community why a professional photographer should be engaged, and that that professional specifically is you! I see you shoot commercial, and you says its business people who will be attending the show.
So how about a basic commercial shoot? - dont make it look too easy though, or you will re-inforce the modern belief that every can shoot their own stuff. Emphasise what your lights can do and the different results you can achieve. If possible, shoot tethered to a laptop which is projecting on a larger screen and work through a shoot showing how your knowledge of lighting can make all the difference.
I would suggest that you practice your demonstration several times in advance, so you know excatly what results you will be getting and what you will be saying etc.
In addition to the demo, maybe have some marketing material and a promo for a shoot??? I am currently offering a deal of three images ready for websites for £49. Sounds that I'm working too cheaply - but I challenge you to find a commercial website with just three images, then there are brochures, PR shots etc etc. All upsold from the initial offer
Re: 1/2 hour demonstration at a trade show 
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