Editors’ note: Rangefinder and PHOTOPLUS+ are both owned by the same parent company, Emerald Expositions.

Since 1983, our colleagues at PHOTOPLUS have brought the photography community together to connect, share ideas and experience the newest imaging technology on the market. Due to the pandemic, however, show organizers had to make the tough decision to cancel the in-person event for 2020. In its place is an exciting online experience that will offer photographers and visual storytellers education and community year-round. Starting November 1, PHOTOPLUS+ (emphasis on the +), photography and video network will be jam-packed with lots of extra pluses, according to show director Joseph Kowalsky, who outlined some of the new network’s features in a recent conversation with Rangefinder.

Rangefinder: What does the newly added “plus” on PHOTOPLUS+ stand for, and what can photographers and visual storytellers expect from this new photography and video network?

Joseph Kowalsky: When you think of PHOTOPLUS and the idea of adding another plus to it, it can probably make you go “Whoa…” and it should! The plus takes PHOTOPLUS beyond the show floor and right into your home. Virtual education allows for so many more possibilities. The plus is about being able to chat with your community about tips and tricks, and topics like finding a second shooter or assistant, and mentorship opportunities. The plus means being able to connect with brands directly for the latest news and support ALL YEAR LONG! The plus is the home for our community year-round, so that when we get together next year in NYC, we’ll have that much more to build off of and talk about. 

Rf: How exactly will people interact with each other online? Would you give us a brief overview of what people can expect, and how they can interact with vendors and other photographers and visual storytellers?

JK: The ability for photographers to network and communicate—not only with brands but with one another—is key to the experience PHOTOPLUS+ is looking to create. Attendees will be able to do basic kinds of things like chat, schedule video calls and share social information, BUT the really cool things they will be able to do are found in the nitty gritty details. For example, if you want to video chat with your buddy while watching a class together, you can. If you want to have a video chat with a product expert and ask a specific question, you can. If you want to be able to upvote solid questions other people have brought up during classes, you can. If you want to be able to do this all year so you can stay in touch and up to date on everything happening in our industry, you can!  If you want it to be 100 percent free…it is!

Rf: What do you want people to know most about PHOTOPLUS+, and what do you feel most excited about with this new online network?

JK: It’s genuinely hard to pinpoint one thing I’m excited about for PHOTOPLUS+. If I had to say one thing, though, it’s that all of the networking, products, education, giveaways and more won’t stop after a couple of days! I can’t stress enough that PHOTOPLUS+ is a year-round network that can provide visual storytellers access to the brands and people they love. Now that we’re digital, we have the opportunity to be there for this amazing group of people 365 days a year, and that’s what PHOTOPLUS+ aims to do.

Rf: Can you note which vendors have confirmed to participate so far?

JK: We are excited to have an array of amazing brands support us, including Adobe, Beseler, Canon, DNP, Fujifilm, Hahnemuhle, Liebowitz Law Firm, Netgear, Tamron and many more.

Rf: Any last piece of info you want the photo community and attendees to know?

JK: The photography market has been one of the markets hardest hit by COVID-19, but that hasn’t stopped advancements in technology or important and inspiring work from our community. Now, more than ever, we’ve seen the essential role imagery plays in our lives and the stories we tell. I have no doubt in the strength and resilience of our industry we will continue to work and find ways to connect visual storytellers with the brands that help them create. This is the beginning of something bigger that can help our industry achieve success 365 days a year. We can’t wait to see what we create together.

You can register here for the PHOTOPLUS+ year-round photography and video network, which will launch November 1, 2020.