The Photography Show 2026 Birmingham – My Experience at the NEC
There is always something exciting about having a major photography event land right on the doorstep, and that is exactly how The Photography & Video Show 2026 felt. Held at the NEC Birmingham from 14–17 March 2026, the show brought together photographers, videographers and content creators for four days of gear, inspiration, talks and hands-on demos. The official event positions itself as the UK’s leading event for visual storytellers, and after spending time there myself, it is easy to see why. The show combines photography, video and content creation under one roof, with thousands of visitors attending across the four days.
This post is really designed to go hand in hand with my video from the day. I wanted to put together a written overview of my experience at The Photography Show 2026, but the video is where you will get the real atmosphere. It captures the movement, the noise, the scale of the show floor and that sense of being surrounded by creativity, new technology and people who are every bit as obsessed with cameras, lenses and storytelling as you are. So while this article gives you my thoughts on the day, I would definitely encourage you to watch the video as well if you want the true feel for what it was like to be there.
🎥 Why The Photography Show still matters
One of the best things about The Photography & Video Show is that it reflects where the industry is now. This is no longer a world where photography, filmmaking and content creation sit in completely separate lanes. A lot of us now work across all three. You might be shooting stills for one client, filming behind-the-scenes clips for another and creating social media content somewhere in between. The official show focus reflects that, with dedicated coverage around photography, video and film production, and creator-led content.
That is a big reason why events like this are still valuable. Yes, you can watch product launches online and read camera specs from your desk, but there is something very different about seeing everything brought together in person. You can try gear for yourself, compare brands side by side and actually have conversations with people who use this equipment every day. It gives you a much clearer sense of what could genuinely fit your workflow rather than what simply looks good on paper.
🙋♂️A big creative event on Birmingham’s doorstep
From a local perspective, it is also brilliant to have an event of this scale in Birmingham. The show took place in Hall 5 at the NEC, with opening hours running from 10am until 5pm across the four days. That makes it incredibly accessible for photographers and videographers across Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.
I have said before that Birmingham deserves more recognition as a creative city, so having an event like this here feels important. For local photographers, Birmingham-based content creators and Midlands videographers, it is a rare chance to experience one of the UK’s biggest industry events without needing to travel down to London. It makes the whole day feel more reachable and more relevant to the people actually working in and around the city.
📸 So much more than just cameras
Of course, the gear is a huge part of the appeal. The show featured more than 250 exhibitors and brands, including names like Adobe, Canon, Capture One, CEWE, EIZO, Fujifilm and Godox. That gives you a good indication of the variety on offer. It is not just about camera bodies and lenses. It is lighting, editing software, colour management, printing, accessories, workflow tools and everything else that supports the wider process of making images and video.
That mix is part of what makes the day so enjoyable. Even if you arrive thinking you are only interested in one specific area, you almost always leave with a broader perspective. You start looking at how different brands solve different problems, what tools might speed up your workflow, and which ideas could actually improve the way you shoot or edit.
🔺 Inspiration is often the real value
As much as it is easy to focus on the latest kit, I think one of the real benefits of attending a show like this is the inspiration side of it. According to the official site, the 2026 show included more than 500 talks and demos, all designed to help visitors learn something new, improve their technique or hear directly from working creatives.
That is hugely valuable, especially if you work for yourself. When you are running your own photography or video business, it is very easy to get trapped in your own routine. You get buried in editing, client deadlines, admin and all the little behind-the-scenes jobs that come with freelance life. Spending a day in a space like this can help break that pattern. It reminds you that there are always new ideas to explore, new ways to work and new creative directions to think about.
Sometimes the most useful thing you take away from an event is not a product at all. It is a fresh perspective.
🔴 Why you should watch the video
This is exactly why I wanted to make a video around my visit rather than just write about it afterwards. A written post can tell you what happened, but a video can show you what it felt like. It gives a much better sense of the scale of the event, the energy of the crowd, the way the stands are laid out and the kind of creative buzz that comes from being surrounded by so much kit and so many like-minded people.
So if you are considering visiting in future, or you simply want to see what The Photography Show 2026 was like from the perspective of a Birmingham photographer and videographer, my video is definitely the place to start. This article is the companion piece. The video is the main experience.
🖥️Events like this always make me think about editing too
One thing that always happens after a day surrounded by photography is that I come away thinking about editing style just as much as shooting. Seeing so many different images, looks and workflows in one place naturally makes you reflect on your own process. How do you want your work to feel? What visual identity are you building? What helps your images stand out while still feeling consistent?
That links closely to my own Lightroom preset packs. If you have followed my work for a while, you will know that I am a big fan of edits that feel cinematic, nostalgic and film-inspired rather than overly polished or clinical. My Lightroom presets are built around that look. On my site, I currently offer the Modern Nostalgia pack for brighter day-time scenes, the Midnight Cinematic pack for darker and moodier work, plus a preset bundle that combines both. There is also a free sample pack for anyone who wants to try the look before buying.
If you are a photographer in Birmingham, or anywhere else for that matter, and you are trying to build a more consistent editing style, preset packs can be a really useful starting point. They are not there to replace your creative decisions, but they can absolutely speed up your workflow and help you shape a more recognisable look across your images.
✅ Final thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed The Photography & Video Show 2026. It was busy, inspiring, slightly overwhelming in the best possible way, and packed with the kind of ideas and tools that make you want to get out and shoot more. For photographers, videographers and content creators in Birmingham and the wider Midlands, it is exactly the kind of event worth keeping on your radar. Whether you are interested in trying the latest kit, hearing from industry speakers or simply spending a day immersed in the creative world, there is plenty there to make the visit worthwhile.
If you want the real feel for the day though, make sure you watch the video. That is where you will get the atmosphere, the pace and the visual experience that a blog post can only hint at.
And if the show leaves you inspired to refine your own photography style, have a look at my Lightroom preset packs as well. They are built to help you create cinematic, nostalgic edits with less time spent starting from scratch on every image.
📸 Are you a photography/videography brand looking to showcase you products? Take a look at my Media Pack and Contact Me to discuss how we can collaborate on a sponsored review.
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About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.
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