Why PMA’s The Big Photo Show Matters

How PMA’s New Series of Consumer Photo Shows Will Grow the Imaging Industry

March 1, 2013 By Jennifer Barr Kruger

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Here’s a great statistic: In 2011, Americans who are passionate about photography spent $17 billion on photo equipment and software, and $1.3 billion on output. Why did they do that? Because photography is important to them. It’s their hobby or it’s their delight or it’s their livelihood—or all three.

What if we take that enthusiasm and heat it up even more? What if we create that excitement, that hunger for all things imaging, in more people? The answer is simple: Those big numbers get bigger—much bigger—because excited, enthusiastic consumers spend more money. The industry grows and everyone benefits.

This is where The Big Photo Show comes in. A new series of photography shows for consumers, The Big Photo Show is one of the ways PMA is delivering on its new mission, which is to “promote the growth of the imaging industry,” according to Jim Esp, PMA’s executive director. Among other things, at The Big Photo Show, consumers will:

• Discover the top players in the imaging industry, from manufacturers like Sony and Samsung, and retailers of all sizes, to labs, professional photographers and studios, and media and bloggers—plus everything in between

• See, touch, try and buy the coolest new camera equipment, accessories and software

• Get a “checkup” of their cameras from “photo doctors” and discover how to use their equipment better
• Learn how to improve their own photography from top-tier pros and educators like Erin Manning and Lee Varis
• Practice their skills in the photo shooting zone in real-world, real-time scenarios, using new technologies and equipment

• Discover the latest, most creative output and photo products available
• Find new ways to frame and display their images
•  Join communities of imaging enthusiasts.

Among many other highlights, working in cooperation with the USO and Shutterfly, PMDA’s Portraits of Love program will have volunteer professional photographers at the event to take free portraits of the families and loved ones of U.S. military members. The portraits will be sent to deployed servicemen and women all over the world, and each family will receive a free portrait to keep for themselves. Hundreds of families are expected to take part in portrait sessions held throughout the two-day event.

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