Event photo coverage of the trade show / industry expo ARCHITECT@WORK Warsaw 2025 is one of those events that impresses with its scale, yet maintains an intimate, refined character. There were no grand stages or spectacular installations, but there was an atmosphere. And a very specific idea behind the whole arrangement.
This is an example of what professional event photography in Warsaw is to me – reportage-like, unobtrusive and full of detail. This is the form of coverage that works best at trade shows / industry expo – where you need both photos documenting the event and those that have real branding value.

For an event photographer, this combination was both a challenge and an opportunity. Lots of black, contrasting light, directional lighting – these are not conditions that forgive mistakes. But that’s exactly why it was worth the effort to get a good shot of what happened on location.
Because there was plenty to photograph. Both the booths themselves and the excitement of the participants and the ideas of the exhibitors had a lot to offer.
About the event
- Date and place: 28-29 May 2025, EXPO XXI Warsaw.
- Format: B2B trade show / industry expo for architects, interior designers, manufacturers and distributors
- Numbers: more than 200 exhibitors, 335 product innovations, 2,532 attendees
- Theme: Circular Horizons
This event doesn’t rely on big halls and loud presentations. Here it’s about 1:1 contact, dialogue, a space designed with sensitivity. And all this has consequences in the approach to photography.
My task
I was asked to prepare two sets of photos – with different audiences and uses for the materials in mind:
For attendees:
Event atmosphere, natural ambience, conversations, coffee, meeting areas. I captured moments when participants were really present – listening, talking, exploring.
For exhibitors:
Brand visibility, booth crowds, product details and interactions. For booth packages, I focused on showing the value of participation – branding, excitement, attendee engagement.
For the organizer:
Wider frames showing the architecture of the exhibitions, the course of the lectures, and the afterparty – the looser, networking part of the evening. These are the photos that build the image and work for future editions.
In my work, I stuck to the rule: no setting up or stopping the action – I wanted to capture the event as it really was. If the situation allowed it, there were times when someone set up for a photo himself or I loosely offered a short shot at the booth. Everything happened naturally, without pressure – always with respect for the participants and their comfort.
As part of the event photo coverage, we also took photos of the organizing team. This is a great addition – it shows the human side of the event and can be used in PR activities, acknowledgements or internal communications.
A short clip from the ARCHITECT@WORK trade show / industry expo
See also the video from the ARCHITECT@WORK trade show / industry expo.
In addition to the photos, Maciek Starmach and I prepared a short promotional clip from one day of the trade show / industry expo.
What was unique here from a photographer’s perspective?
- Dark surroundings and directional lighting requiring precision
- No classic “key light” – you had to look for light where it naturally fell
- Many conversations, gestures, subtle interactions – difficult to repeat
- Microdetails: material textures, hands, emotions, involvement
It wasn’t about pretty pictures. It was about the atmosphere. About making someone who wasn’t at the event feel like they were.
What caught my attention?
- KAPLA block installation by Raffaele Salvoldi – a growing sculpture between the stands
- Wise Habit Sustainable Materials Library – design + idea
- Light in the coffee area – subtle, atmospheric, graceful for the camera
The value of photographic coverage from the point of view of the organizer
Well-planned event photo coverage is more than a souvenir. It’s a tangible marketing tool that works long after the event:
- Builds the image of the edition – organization, climate, program, scale
- Works in social media, offers, reports and ads
- Gives value to partners and sponsors – visibility and context
- Has archival value – documents development, supports future editions
It’s a material that works once the lights are out.
Lessons for future organizers
If you are planning an event:
- Take care of the light – even one well-placed source can build the atmosphere of the photos
- Rethink the space – it’s worth leaving a space that looks good in the frame
- Treat photos as an investment – any good shot can take months to work on
Need photos from the event similar to this? I will be happy to prepare material that will show not only the proceedings, but also the atmosphere of your event – and will work for marketing long after the event is over.
This is just a fragment of the material I prepared for the client – below I show selected photos from the larger package that ultimately goes to the organizer and exhibitors. In fact, there are many more photos – so that everyone can freely use them in promotions, summaries and communications.
Have questions or want to talk about cooperation? Use the contact form, or take a look at my event photography offerings.









































































































