In 2002 Six camera clubs in Northern Virginia saw the opportunity to promote the talents of their members, their individual clubs and photography in general. When they started planning the first Expo they found immediate support in the local photographic community; support which has grown each year.

In 2003, the Northern Virginia Photographic Society (NVPS), one of the participating camera clubs, was awarded 1st place in the Camera Club Category of the Nature’s Best annual international photography contest. The winning NVPS images were displayed in the fall 2003 edition of Nature’s Best Magazine. Nature's Best Magazine ranks as one of the finest nature photography publications in the world and the Mid Atlantic Nature Photography Expo (formerly known as the Meadowlark Nature Photography Expo) has been privileged to have their support.

The centerpiece of the Expo is a display of more than two hundred images that have been selected by a panel of jurors. This exhibit showcases photographs of landscapes, wildlife, and flowers in their nature habitat.

The event also provides visitors with opportunity to interact with other photographers as well as with those involved in providing goods and services to photographers. Visitors can meet representatives from leading companies that support photography and, in many cases, nature photographers in their quest to take better photographs.

Learn about the latest photography equipment and apparel. Find out about classes and workshops offered by local photographers. The Expo also offers two full days of lectures by noted photographers. Novices and advanced photographers alike have the opportunity to learn from locally and nationally known photographers with expertise in a variety of fields.

A new feature for the 2010 expo is 2.5 hour workshops led by regionially and nationally known photographers.

In 2006, the Expo added a keynote presentation to the line-up when Bobby Harrison spoke about his efforts to find and photograph the illusive Ivory-billed woodpecker. In 2008, Frans Lanting provided the keynote address on his latest book project "Life: a Journey through Time". Each year the Expo brings a well-known photographer to present the memorable keynote address.

The Expo offers visitors several unique activities: free portfolio reviews by a professional photography instructors and free camera cleanings. Another popular event provides photographers the chance to photograph hawks and owls. Thanks to the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia, photographers can focus their cameras on these magnificent wild birds in a natural setting just outside the Hylton Center.

For out-of-town visitors coming to the Expo, accommodations can be made in the Manassas area. See our link here.

Ultimately, the Expo’s primary goal is to spark the photographic interests of those who attend the show. Many attendees are simply dazzled by the beauty of the photographs on display. Yet, ALL of the skilled photographers whose work is exhibited began as novices. It is the hope of the Expo that visitors are inspired by the creativity of the exhibiting photographers and are encouraged to improve their own skills as photographers. Visitors have the chance to meet their peers (young and old alike) to see how they got started. They have a chance to have their work critiqued, as well as meet with photography instructors to learn about photography classes and workshops they can take. Also, learn about the benefits of joining one of the local camera clubs, and talk with companies who specialize in gear and equipment for photographers.

The Expo is a two-day immersion in photography that is not to be missed!

This website is copyrighted by Northern Virginia Photography Expo, Inc. 2010