Setting the ball rolling on Tuesday will be Mike Larson, the well-known wedding photographer from the U.S. He will be portraying married couples who turn up in their wedding outfits. All brides and grooms who would like to have a wedding photograph taken by one of the world’s best wedding photographers should therefore take a peek in the closet and see whether they still fit into their bridal gowns and wedding suits. Only those who appear on stage in the appropriate garb will have a chance to be selected by Mike Larson for a wedding photo opportunity.
Wednesday’s theme is fashion. Steve Thornton, a "genuine cowboy" from the U.S. and one of the world’s leading fashion photographers, will be on the lookout for models among the general public at photokina. According to Steve, all that potential subjects need to bring along is a sense of fun and an enthusiasm for modeling. He will take care of styling and everything else required to produce a perfect fashion photo!
Thursday’s special guest will be advertising photographer Tim Mantoani, who also has an exhibition of his own work at photokina. Mantoani will be on hand to take glossy images of photokina visitors in a quality that could grace any advertising campaign.
On Friday the stage will be set for Guido Karp, the photographer of famous rock stars. Karp will be taking photos of all visitors who come to photokina as solo artists or band members, complete with a musical instrument. Anyone who has always fancied himself or herself as a pop idol and would also like the photographic evidence — including clouds of dry ice and concert lighting — to prove it, should make sure to visit the stage in Hall 9 on September 24.
Saturday’s featured star is the well-known Playboy photographer David Mecey, who will be screening the general public for models willing to take part in a bikini shoot. Mecey has been taking photographs for Playboy since 1979. The celebrities captured by his lens include Brooke Shields, Carmen Electra, and Sharon Stone.
On Sunday a talented young photographer will be given an opportunity to demonstrate his or her skills on stage. As ever, models will be selected from among the general public.
Each day, in the intervals between the three shooting blocks, the world’s leading photographers will also take time to divulge some of the secrets of the trade, including the tricks they use to get the best possible pictures, how they came to their careers in photography, and the best ways to achieve better photos. Of particular interest to the professional photographers in the audience will be their tips on how to land the top jobs and thus gain a foothold in the elect circle of star photographers. The guest photographers will be on stage in Hall 9 from 10:00 a.m. onward, and the selection for the first shooting session will start at 10:30 a.m.
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