The Photography Show 2026

The Photography Show 2026 at the NEC Birmingham was a landmark event for us at Adaptalux, for several reasons. Let’s recap some of the highlights!

Adaptalux lighting featured by SONY

Our lighting was featured on the SONY stand. This was a huge moment, not just for our team, but for macro photographers across the show. SONY chose Adaptalux Lighting to illuminate their dedicated macro setups, giving tens of thousands of visitors the chance to experience our system in a professional environment alongside some of the most advanced camera and lens technology in the world.

Across the four-day event, people crowded around the SONY macro tables to try their hand at photographing detailed textures, natural subjects and some surprise insect visitors – all lit using Adaptalux Lighitng Arms and Pods.

The flexibility, control and colour accuracy of our system allowed SONY to present consistent, polished lighting conditions for macro demonstrations throughout the show. For many visitors, it was their first time handling our lighting products, and it became one of the most talked-about elements of SONY’s macro offering this year alongside their new macro lenses. We were thrilled to see so many photographers discovering Adaptalux in such a high‑profile setting.

A Gathering of Macro Experts

The excitement didn’t stop at SONY. Our own stand became a busy hub for the macro community, with several prominent photographers spending time with us throughout the show. Daniel Aucoin, Courtney Victoria, Stewart Wood, Lee Hall and Jamie Spensley all visited, shared their knowledge, and connected with visitors who were eager to learn more about macro techniques and lighting.

Their presence brought tremendous energy to the stand. Each photographer has their own distinctive style and approach to macro work, and seeing them interact with attendees, answer questions, and demonstrate how they use Adaptalux lighting in their workflows made the event feel like a true gathering of creative minds. Having such a talented group openly support our system was a real highlight for both the team and the visitors.

Bringing the Outdoors Indoors

One of our most memorable features this year was our dedicated macro woodland area. Designed in collaboration with Daniel Aucoin and illuminated entirely using Adaptalux lighting, this immersive setup allowed visitors to explore the textures and tiny details of woodland subjects, all without stepping outside the NEC!

From moss to lichen to carefully arranged natural elements, the scenes were crafted to encourage a sense of exploration. The controlled lighting made it possible to mimic the atmosphere of a forest floor, giving photographers the chance to capture images that looked like they were taken in nature, despite being inside a busy exhibition hall. Watching attendees slow down, study the miniature world in front of them and experience macro photography at its most peaceful was something truly special.

A Record Year

This year will go down as one of our most successful Photography Shows ever. The stand stayed consistently busy with people wanting hands‑on time, technical advice and creative inspiration. As the days went on, it became clear that our products were in incredibly high demand.

By the final afternoon, we had completely sold out, with UV Arms and Pod Minis proving especially popular among photographers looking to expand their creative lighting capabilities. Selling out is always an exciting milestone, and this year was a strong reminder of how much the macro community continues to grow and innovate.

To everyone who visited us, tried the lighting, asked questions, purchased gear or simply shared a moment of enthusiasm for macro photography – thank you!

The Photography Show 2026 was one of the best we’ve ever had, and we’re already planning how to return even bigger and better next year.

In the mean time, make sure to check out our YouTube Channel for macro inspiration and our macro photography lighting products are always available on our website. We’ll be back for The Photography Show 2027, and we can’t wait to see you there.