Adelaide Camera Expo set for record year

Adelaide’s Camera Expo is set to return on the weekend of 20 September, with organisers hopeful of record crowds for the two-day celebration of photography.

Now in its sixth year, the Expo has grown from the popular Adelaide Vintage Camera Market into a festival of workshops, photo walks, guest speakers and a bustling trade show, all staged in the city’s iconic Central Market.

Organiser Paul Bulley, from PhotoCo Camera House, says the event has built momentum each year. About 850 people attended in 2024, and more than 1,500 are expected this time around.

“What we’re seeing is that people don’t just want to buy gear — they want to connect, share ideas and talk photography,” Bulley says.

This year’s program covers everything from printing, film, bird and night photography, to off-camera flash and videography, with presenters including Grace Liu, Matt Krumins, Darren Centofanti, Kelly Cestari, Scott Hicks and Jack Fenby.

To keep things lively, roving entertainers will also mingle with the crowd — last year saw models dressed as Madonna, and this year will feature jugglers.

In addition, there's also more than $7,000 in lucky door prizes for attendees.

The Central Market itself adds to the atmosphere.

"You've got a store doing tapas, for example, and the chefs have the big flames roaring while they cook. It's awesome for a photo walk. We'll get groups of say 10 photographers shooting the food as it's prepared and served. The restaurants love it and the workshop attendees say to me afterwards they could do a week of it!" he says.

Beyond the workshops and trade stands, the Expo raises funds for charity, with $8,000 donated last year to local charities and all proceeds from door sales in 2025 set to support the Adelaide Day Centre for the Homeless. 

For Bulley, the event is also a family affair. PhotoCo, his third-generation business, has been running since 1965 when his grandfather first opened the doors.

“My parents help out, my wife was on the door last year, and even my brother’s wife pitched in,” he says. “We just get as many people as we can involved — that’s part of the fun.”

Entry to the Adelaide Camera Expo is $5, with workshops booked separately.

You can see the full schedule of events on over the weekend here.