Cologne: photokina Euro Travel Series

Posted on October 1, 2014

by LaRae

TRAVEL

Cologne: photokina Euro Travel Series

Working at photokina in Cologne

In case you missed the first couple posts to this series, you can catch them HERE: “London in Black & White (plus one color)“ and “One Day in Paris.”

From 2010-2011 I was the head of social media for BlackRapid and in the fall of 2010 went with the company to Cologne, Germany, to work at photokina, the world’s largest imaging fair. I loved this job because I had the opportunity to connect with customers, dealers, and distributors, who I talked to online daily. There’s nothing like meeting face-to-face; it was awesome!

But here’s the truth, working the booth at a trade show is crazy. This was BlackRapid’s first year at ‘kina, and their initial global launch. For six days straight we were there from 8am until 7pm meeting some of the world’s greatest artists and most innovating businesses. The booth was always packed and it was a total rush to demonstrate and talk with crowds that grew well over a hundred at times. It was also where I got to meet some of my favorite people on the planet, people who will always be my friends.

When I say the booth was packed, I mean it, we were incredibly busy and took very few breaks (my feet were practically melting off by day #6). At the end, I realized I hadn’t really gotten out to shoot as much as hoped. Nonetheless, here are my selects that bring back the experience for me, my one week working photokina four years ago!

[QUICK NOTE for my fellow photographers: the entire trip I used the Think Tank Photo StreetWalker® Pro Camera Backpack and BlackRapid Floral Black Woman’s Strap (RS-W1F) (Black). All processing was done using Totally Rad‘s Replichrome film presets for Lightroom, which I’m really starting to LOVE.]

photokina in Cologne, Germany with BlackRapid September 19-26, 2010

Moi – photographer, LaRae Lobdell, with the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), in the background, in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.
photo © Michael Thompson / Lightenupandshoot Mikey.

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), Germany’s most visited landmark, was commenced in 1248, and was my first sight off the train from Paris, France, September 19, 2010.

The entrance of photokina in Cologne, Germany with BlackRapid September 19-26, 2010.

Public sitting area in a display at photokina in Cologne, Germany with BlackRapid September 19-26, 2010.

Image floor display at photokina in Cologne, Germany with BlackRapid September 19-26, 2010.

On the last day I took a 15 minute break to eat outside and was greeted with a DOUBLE RAINBOW IN THE SKY!!! At photokina in Cologne, Germany with BlackRapid September 19-26, 2010.

Cologne, Germany with BlackRapid September 19-26, 2010

A bird handler talks with photographers at photokina in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

A bird handler talks with photographers at photokina in Cologne, Germany, September 19-26, 2010.

My hand showing products to potential customers, dealers, and distributors in the BlackRapid booth at photokina, Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

: The official BlackRapid booth at photokina, and my home for seven days in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010. This booth was special to me as I shot most of the images for their large marketing campaign.

: The official BlackRapid booth at photokina, and my home for seven days in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010. This booth was special to me as I shot most of the images for their large marketing campaign.

: The SnapR point and shoot bag in the BlackRapid booth at photokina, in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

: The SnapR point and shoot bag in the BlackRapid booth at photokina, in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

: The RS-5 lens sling strap on display in the BlackRapid booth at photokina, in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

: The variety of sling straps on display in the BlackRapid booth at photokina, in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

: The official BlackRapid booth at photokina, and my home for seven days in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

: The official BlackRapid booth at photokina, and my home for seven days in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010. This booth was special to me as I shot most of the images for their large marketing campaign.

My friend, James Madelin, CEO and Founder of enlight photo in the BlackRapid booth at photokina in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.

One of the many live models on display for photographers to photograph at photokina, the world’s largest imaging fair, in Cologne, Germany, September 19-26, 2010.

A woman modeling for Hasselblad Master, Joao Carlos, and Michael Thompson / Lightenupandshoot Mikey.

Hasselblad Master, Joao Carlos, and Michael Thompson / Lightenupandshoot Mikey working together to capture a woman passing by on the street.

Sitting in front of the wall of “Love Padlocks” on display on the Hohenzollernbrücke bridge (Hohenzollern Bridge) in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010. The display was created piece by piece as an endless stream of couples have come to publicly honor their love. It was especially significant to me as this was just after my divorce and during my quest of finding love again.
photo © Michael Thompson / Lightenupandshoot Mikey.

Sitting on the Hohenzollernbrücke bridge (Hohenzollern Bridge) as a train was passing behind me, in Cologne, Germany September 19-26, 2010.
photo © Michael Thompson / Lightenupandshoot Mikey.