Sometimes, I still can’t believe I’m here at Photokina in Cologne, Germany.  Every day, I have the amazing opportunity to present my life’s story of travel, photography, personal growth, and LOVE.

 

In front of my presentation at Photokina on the first day of the trade fair
In front of my presentation at Photokina on the first day of the trade fair

 

Faux Flowers and a Butterfly at the CAPCam Booth at Photokina 2012 in Cologne, Germany
Faux Flowers and a Butterfly at the CAPCam Booth at Photokina 2012 in Cologne, Germany

 

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But when I’m not on the Samsung stage or watching my fellow presenters Dario Endara, Christina Grabherr and Jeff Hutchens, I have time to wander the floor of this prestigious imaging trade fair.

It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. When I’ve gone to trade fairs in the past, booths were usually the size of a garage. At Photokina, major companies like Samsung, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Kodak, and Sony all have a space that could better be described as a warehouse floor.

 

A panoramic view of the Samsung area of Photokina - taken with the NX20
A panoramic view of the Samsung area of Photokina – taken with the NX20

 

Halle 4.1 at Photokina
Halle 4.1 at Photokina

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Each “booth” (if that word can even describe these sprawling areas) has dozens of cameras and lenses for visitors to try out. In this first image, each camera and lens combination costs roughly $25,000.

 

Watching the watchers at the Canon booth of Photokina
Watching the watchers at the Canon booth of Photokina

 

Businessmen take a long look at the lens lineup at the Lumix display
Businessmen take a long look at the lens lineup at the Lumix display

 

An Om-D Model gets the Paparazzi treatment
An Om-D Model gets the Paparazzi treatment

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Companies also create extravagant scenes and sets to give visitors something to point their cameras at. Some of my favorites are the jungles, desert islands, cityscapes, mock-stores and even a bar with a bartender flipping empty booze bottles.

 

The Lumix Beach
The Lumix Beach

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At first, I walked around thinking it was completely cheesy to take photos of them. But, as I started getting into it, I realized how much fun it could be photographing things that have been specifically designed to make beautiful images.

At the Samsung booth alone, we’ve got break dancers, light tracing, a model train set, a motorcycle, sketch artists, a Lego cruise ship, photo opportunities galore, and more.

 

These break dancers always come on at the Samsung booth just after I finish my presentation
These break dancers always come on at the Samsung booth just after I finish my presentation

 

As a lover of model trains, this display at the Samsung booth may be my favorite part of all Photokina – taken using the miniature setting on the NX20
As a lover of model trains, this display at the Samsung booth may be my favorite part of all Photokina – taken using the miniature setting on the NX20

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Other companies employ models to pose for the Photokina paparazzi, or have luxury cars that people can sit in. This photo of two women in a Hyundai tank makes the least sense of all to me…

 

Hyundai Tank Models??? Huh?
Hyundai + Tank + Models = Huh???

 

A model at the Hasselblad booth at Photokina
A model at the Hasselblad booth at Photokina

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Even the things that aren’t specifically designed to be photographed make for a great subject: like these shadows.

 

Shadows at the Nikon booth during Photokina 2012
Shadows at the Nikon booth during Photokina 2012

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Below are a few more of my favorite photos from the various booths around Photokina. I found the most beauty in the small details.

 

I found the inside of this rain simulator far more interesting than the image it was projecting on a wall
I found the inside of this rain simulator far more interesting than the image it was projecting on a wall

 

MT Foto White Balance Tape
MT Foto White Balance Tape

 

A simple lighting umbrella at Photokina
A simple lighting umbrella at Photokina

 

You would be tired too if you spent all day with people shoving cameras and using flash in your face
You would be tired too if you spent all day with people shoving cameras and using flash in your face

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Here’s my full presentation from Photokina