B&H Photo, one of the world’s largest photo stores, hosted a two-day photography, filmmaking, and content creation festival, exhibition, and conference in New York for photographers, filmmakers, and content creators. Bild Expo, a celebration of visual storytelling, is in full swing at the Javits Center in New York on June 17-18, 2025, at the time of writing. Our reporter attended the event.
Founded in 1973, B&H Photo started as a small camera store near New York City Hall and has grown into one of the world’s leading retailers of creative equipment. Serving millions of creators through its Manhattan SuperStore and online platform, B&H offers more than 400,000 products, along with expert services, workshops, and community events that nurture the next generation of storytellers. It is known worldwide as the largest source of photo, video, and audio equipment, as well as computers, drones, home and portable entertainment sources, with a knowledgeable sales team and excellent customer service. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for over 52 years.
The “Bild” – Yiddish for “picture” – Expo, like an exhibition and conference, pays tribute to the enduring power of photographs. It is a tribute to the creators, which manifests itself in culture, communication, and human relationships.
The history of Bild Expo dates back to 2023, marking the company’s 50th anniversary. Although the company was not sure if there would be another such event, the event was so successful that B&H held it again two years later, on June 17 and 18, 2025.
BildExpo 2025
Jeff Gerstel, marketing director at B&H Photo, previously stated, “We were coming up on our 50th anniversary and we wanted to mark it, both with the industry and with our customers.” In a previous interview, he said, “The whole idea was to bring the B&H brand to life for a two-day celebration of what we do. Rule number one was that it had to be free [for attendees]. We weren’t there to sell anything; we weren’t there to make money. We wanted to create an event for the benefit of the attendees, with one simple goal — that they leave having learned something, been inspired by something or someone, and gotten access to the brands they love and the creators they follow in a very humble, low-key and intimate setting.”
According to Jeff Gerstel, “The essence of Bild Expo is to celebrate the creative spirit and push the boundaries of photography, filmmaking, and content creation,” Adding: “This year, we’re excited to offer an even more immersive experience, from hands-on workshops to real-world photo walks to industry-first camera tech showcases. It’s an opportunity for content creators to connect, learn, and get inspired by the best in the business, and we’re thrilled to bring this community together once again.”
This year’s Bild Expo audience heard from over 100 speakers across two days and viewed products from more than 250 exhibitors, showcasing the latest equipment and technologies. Participants were able to enrich their practical experience with portfolio reviews and photo walks around New York City.
Whether you were an experienced professional or a novice photographer, Bild Expo aimed to inspire and connect creative professionals from all fields.
Bild Expo 2025 attracted crowds – New York became a Mecca for visual creators for two days
Creativity took center stage this week in New York. Thousands of people from around the world attended the two-day event, organized by B&H Photo, to learn about the latest photography and video technologies and draw inspiration from the industry’s leading figures.
The exhibition featured more than 250 brands, including industry giants such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Kodak. During the two-day expo, exhibitors showcased their latest developments alongside traditional products, including AI-powered cameras, mobile studios, and software that revolutionizes content creation. Participants were able to attend dozens of workshops and presentations. Visitors were able to try out the latest equipment first-hand, while renowned creators gave presentations on their professional journeys and creative processes on stage.
Portfolio reviews, workshops, and city photo walks were integral to the program, fostering professional development and networking opportunities.
“This isn’t just an exhibition – it’s a community of passion,” said one of the organizers.“This is where technology and art truly meet,” she added.
Bild Expo 2025 was not only about technological innovations, but also offered visitors several unique experiences.
Here are some noteworthy highlights:
- Content creator masterclasses: Platforms such as YouTube and Snapchat held interactive seminars on how to grow your audience, monetize your content, and effectively use analytics in your creative strategy.
- Photo walks and sightseeing tours: Participants took guided walks through iconic New York City locations, where professional photographers helped them see the city from a new perspective.
- NYC Sightseeing Cruise: The program also featured a special boat tour, during which participants took photographs of the city skyline from the Hudson River at sunset.
- The biggest NYC Creator Party: The closing event on Wednesday will be an exclusive creator party celebrating creativity with music, lights, and networking.
- Interactive technology zones: Visitors could try out AI-based image editors, 360° cameras, and VR-based storytelling tools.
- Prize draws and exclusive discounts in the service of marketing. In addition to B&H’s famous “show special” promotions, several stands offered the chance to win equipment, workshop tickets, or even a photography tour.
One of the featured participants at the exhibition was Kodak. Their practical demonstration focused on the art of analog storytelling, presenting the entire filmmaking process in 8mm and 16mm films through sessions such as the Super 8 Movie Walk.
One of the most significant announcements at the event came from Sony. Sony unveiled the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM fast zoom lens, which features a speedy zoom and a unique focus range. This lens excels in portrait, wedding, event, indoor, and close-up sports applications.
The exhibition was not only about photography and filmmaking; it also explored other artistic media. For example, the world of radio studios and discos was also presented. There was also talk of the world of DJs, who present high-energy, retro-themed content.
The technology behind creating macro experiences was particularly interesting for the reporter. Several exhibitors focused on macro photography and presented new possibilities for taking extremely close-up pictures.
The event was an inspiring experience not only for professional photographers and filmmakers but also for enthusiastic amateur photographers, content creators, bloggers, and editors.
Tamás Barát New York – June 18, 2025