It started, as many great Australian businesses do, with a problem that nobody else solved.
Howard and Saul Frank, second-generation owners of Perth's Camera Electronic, travelled to an expo in Japan and returned with a clear-eyed realisation: WA's photography community thrived on hands-on experience they simply couldn't access at home. World-class gear, industry education, the kind of learning that only comes from being in the room - none of it was available without a flight overseas.
In 2015, the Frank brothers set out to change that. PhotoLive Expo was their answer: a dedicated event that would bring the full depth of Australia's imaging industry directly to Perth, giving West Australian photographers and videographers access to experiences that had long been out of reach.
More than a decade on, what began as a practical solution has now grown into the centrepiece of WA's imaging scene, where the full spectrum of the industry, from smartphone snappers to commercial film producers, gathers under one roof for a single day of discovery.
A Day Built Around How You Actually Shoot
PhotoLive Expo 2026 returns to Novotel Perth Langley on Sunday, 26 July, bringing together Australia's leading camera brands, lens manufacturers, lighting specialists and printing companies under one roof. The expo floor offers visitors the opportunity to experience the latest equipment firsthand through live demonstrations, product activations and exclusive event-only offers, providing a level of access rarely available in Perth.
Alongside the expo, eight speaker sessions explore topics ranging from landscape, travel and astrophotography to documentary storytelling and filmmaking. For those wanting to dive deeper, 90-minute workshops provide practical learning with industry professionals, while guided photowalks give attendees the chance to shoot in the real world with expert guidance alongside them.
The Right Time to Explore Something New
There comes a particular moment when many begin searching for a pursuit that offers something different, often after building a career or a business, when the drive to create remains but the focus shifts towards something more reflective. Photography and videography meet that need remarkably well. They encourage you to slow down, observe closely and engage with the world more deliberately, making the process every bit as rewarding as the final image or video.
That appeal spans every stage of life, from the young entrepreneur seeking a creative outlet to the retiree finally pursuing a long-held interest. PhotoLive has become a natural entry point for many of them, offering the opportunity to explore today's extensive range of cameras, lenses, drones and creative tools with guidance from manufacturers, educators and working professionals. Rather than navigating countless online reviews, visitors can experience the equipment firsthand, ask questions and discover the tools and techniques best suited to the way they want to create.
Whether the interest lies in travel photography, wildlife, portraiture, filmmaking, or content creation, the expo floor and speaker sessions cover all of it.
More Than a Gear Show
What sets PhotoLive apart from a purely commercial event is the community it has built and the values that underpin it. Perth's photography community spans every level of experience and every creative discipline, and PhotoLive has become the annual occasion where those worlds come together.
The event attracts a remarkably broad audience. Working photographers and videographers come to stay across developments in their field. Enthusiasts attend to deepen their knowledge through speaker sessions and workshops. Hobbyists come for inspiration, while those picking up a camera for the first time come to explore what's possible. It is rare for a single-day event to offer genuine value to such a diverse audience, but PhotoLive has found a way to do exactly that.
That same philosophy extends beyond the event itself. Ten per cent of all ticket sales from PhotoLive Expo 2026 will be donated to Telethon, supporting sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Western Australia. It is a long-standing commitment that reflects Camera Electronic's connection to the community it has served for more than fifty-five years.
PhotoLive Expo 2026 takes place on Sunday, 26 July, at Novotel Perth Langley. Tickets for Expo Entry, Speaker Sessions, Workshops and Photowalks are available now via the PhotoLive Expo website. With workshops and speaker sessions strictly limited in capacity, early bookings are recommended.
