My second visit to The Photography & Video Show

For the second time, I attended the event Photography and Video Show at Birmingham’s NEC.

It was a great opportunity to explore the latest in photography and filmmaking, as well as to learn best practices from influencers and content creators.

Workshops

Some of the workshops featured speakers including Mike Will, Teja Lisjak and Zoe Jiljemark.

One session was a joint workshop discussion between content creators Mike Will and Teja Lisjak. Both shared tips and guidance on improving opportunities based on their experiences. This included building a portfolio, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and tailoring your development towards what you aim to achieve in order to gain potential clients. They also emphasised the importance of being authentic and clear about what you offer to clients, as well as building relationships beyond the initial contact.

Zoe Jiljemark, CEO of her PR and marketing business for photographers, discussed different factors involved in gaining recognition. She explained how PR activities can help build credibility and respect, but stressed that building trust is more important than website traffic or reliance on social media. She also highlighted how registering to be featured in artificial intelligence platforms is becoming essential for boosting recognition.
I asked a question about the options available for those without a large budget who may not have the finances to hire a PR expert. Zoe mentioned that hiring an expert is not always necessary, as there are accessible PR tools that anyone can use.

Meeting People

Posing with Zoe Jiljemark, CEO of her PR and marketing business

Meeting with Gavin Howey and his model, Chloe.

Posting with Model Alexa Taylor

Posting with Model & professional dancer Beth at the Adobe stand

Posting with Model Kristina at the Adobe stand



Posting with photographer and content creator Khandie

During my attendance, I met and networked with many people. As well as having conversations with other attendees, I met several participants involved in the event, including photographers, influencers, models, and representatives from studio equipment, camera, and video technology companies.
I had a brief chat with Zoe Jiljemark after her presentation on the importance of PR activity.
It was also great to catch up with photographer and influencer Gavin Howey and his model, Chloe.

I met more models during this year’s event, including Alexa Taylor from one of the photographer's stands, who was participating at the NEC version of the Photography and Video Show for the first time (the event takes place in London every other year).

At the Adobe stand, I met two promotional models, including Kristina, who had travelled all the way from Norway for Adobe and the Photography and Video Show. Throughout the event, she wore themed costumes.
I also met another model, Beth, at the Adobe stand, who was posing as a professional footballer linked to Adobe’s promotion of the Women’s FA Cup tournament. During our conversation, she mentioned that she is also a professional dancer, and I told her about my inclusive dancing initiative, Embrace Dancing.

I also had a brief conversation with Khandie, a photographer and content creator. She mentioned that she teaches neurodivergent young people, and we discussed my awareness projects.

Inspiring neurodivergent People

Attending this year’s Photography and Video Show coincided with the annual awareness event, Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Peter Treadway, a content creator on YouTube and a professional cyclist, shared his experiences of living with ADHD.


For the second time, I met Lattie Lovett-Dunn, a model, broadcaster, and influencer, who told me she lives with dyslexia after we discussed my awareness work.

Meeting with Photographer & contgent creator Peter Treadway

Posing with Model, broadcaster and Influncer Lattie Lovett-Dunn

Both inspiring people agreed to be part of my Plus Value Awareness project, Achievers, which celebrates neurodivergent achievers and role models.

You can find out more by visiting the Achievers project on the Plus Value Awareness website.

Conclusion

The majority of the event’s participants made me feel extremely welcome, and it was a great experience discovering such inspiring people.

This article is linked with Active

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000 , he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community
as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022. Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games