SPIEL · Messe Essen · October

Photo & video for SPIEL in Essen

SPIEL is the world's largest public fair for board games — and one of the busiest dates in the Messe Essen calendar. Here, packed aisles are not a problem; they are exactly the picture you need.

30 seconds from the entrancePublic showFixed prices: €990–1,990 excl. VATHigh footfall
Trade fair photographer at SPIEL in Essen

All prices plus VAT · delivered within 24 hours · max. 4 exhibitors per show day · See all packages & details

A public show is photographed differently from a trade show

At a B2B fair an empty, tidy stand is often the goal. At SPIEL the opposite is true: full tables, people playing, concentrated faces and a queue at the new-releases shelf are the best possible proof that your title works.

So we shoot on the move and look for reactions rather than poses — the moment someone laughs, wins, or finally understands a rule. That material then carries your social media and the promotion of next year's edition.

People in shot — especially relevant at a public fair

Unlike a trade show, visitors here are mostly private individuals, often families. We approach people before photographing them recognisably in the foreground, and with children we strictly follow the accompanying adult's consent.

For your stand (booth) we recommend a clearly visible notice that photography is taking place. We can supply wording and a short consent template on request — it avoids arguments about usage rights later.

Light and tight spaces in crowded halls

During SPIEL the halls are very full, aisles are narrow, and the light is a mix of hall and stand lighting. We work with fast lenses and minimal additional flash so the atmosphere is preserved and nobody is disturbed mid-game.

In practice that means compact equipment, short distances and no tripod in the middle of an aisle. We move like a visitor — just with a plan for which images are needed at the end.

Practical points to settle beforehand

Exhibitor pass: An exhibitor pass via the Messe Essen service portal is normally sufficient for your own stand.Embargoed releases: If titles may only be shown from a certain time, tell us in advance and we will plan around it.Best time slots: The first hour after opening suits calmer stand shots; the afternoon suits atmosphere images, when the halls are fullest.
Services at SPIEL

What we produce on your stand

📷

Stand photography

Overviews, architecture, signage and product details — shot before the doors open, while the stand is still tidy.

🤝

Conversations & visitors

Real situations instead of staged handshakes: consultations, demos, busy stands, people in motion.

🎬

Recap film

A 60–90 second film per show day, cut for LinkedIn and your website — same evening on request.

🎤

On-site interviews

Statements from your management or customer voices, recorded with a lavalier mic and lighting in a quiet corner.

👥

Team & portraits

Consistent portraits of your stand team against a neutral background — ready for LinkedIn and your website.

Delivery within 24 hours

A first edited selection during the show day, so your marketing can post while the fair is still running.

Delivered within 24 hours after the event ends

A post with your stand while the show is still running gets seen and shared. That is why every package includes finished photos and video within 24 hours after the event ends — first images usually the same day. Two revision rounds included.

  • A first edited selection while the show day is still running
  • Zero admin for you — you stay with your visitors
  • Formats ready for LinkedIn, PR, your website and social
Our work

From exhibition stands to brand films

PrimarkRTL AdGroupRalph LaurenHumanscaleYOOZLütz GmbH
Video & social

Landscape recap, vertical reels

A sample from our production: the event recap for your website and LinkedIn — below it, native 9:16 footage for Reels, Shorts and Stories, shot in parallel with the main coverage.

Event recap · YOOZ

Event reel · izy

Brand event · YOOZ

Trade fair clip · Vapes Bars

Packages

Clear packages. No surprises.

Fixed prices, defined deliverables, predictable turnaround. All prices exclude VAT and include travel within North Rhine-Westphalia.

Compact

Trade Fair Basic

€990
excl. VAT · 2 hours on site
  • 2 hours of photo and video
  • at least 30 edited images
  • Highlight video (30 seconds)
  • 1 vertical social clip (9:16, Reels & TikTok)
  • Stand, atmosphere & detail shots
  • Ready to upload for web, LinkedIn & social media
  • Delivered within 24 hours
  • Unlimited usage rights included
Check availabilityQuote by e-mail
Full day

Trade Fair Full Day

€1,990
excl. VAT · full show day
  • 8 hours — the full show day
  • at least 120 edited images
  • Highlight video (30 sec.) + trade fair film (90 sec.)
  • 3 vertical social clips (9:16, Reels & TikTok)
  • On-stand interviews included
  • Stand, atmosphere & detail shots
  • Ready to upload for web, LinkedIn & social media
  • Delivered within 24 hours
  • Unlimited usage rights included
  • Additional show days: tiered pricing on request
Check availabilityQuote by e-mail
Production

Multi-camera stage & interview

on request
Conferences, keynotes, panels
  • 2–4 cameras, full stage capture
  • Audio from radio mics or the desk
  • Lit interview setup
  • Multilingual subtitles
  • Separate cut per speaker
Check availability

Add-on: On-stand interview + extended highlight video (approx. 90 sec.) €190

Payment: 50 % deposit on booking by credit card (Stripe link sent with the quote) or bank transfer, 50 % on the show day. No German VAT for non-EU companies; reverse charge for EU companies with VAT ID.
Capacity: maximum 4 exhibitors per show day — please reserve early.

More fairs & locations

More shows in Essen and NRW

Process

Three steps from booking to delivery

Briefing & quote

Tell us the date, venue, stand size and what the images are for. You normally get a fixed-price quote within 24 hours, with no hidden line items.

On site

We arrive with our own equipment, work discreetly around your stand, and never interrupt a conversation or a demo. Shot list agreed in advance.

Delivery

Edited photos and cut video via a private download link — within 24 hours after the event ends.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a photographer at SPIEL Essen cost?

From €990 plus VAT for two hours of photo and video on site with at least 30 edited images and a 30-second highlight video. Four hours from €1,490. No travel costs apply for Messe Essen.

May visitors and children be photographed?

We approach people before they appear recognisably in the foreground, and with children we obtain the accompanying adult's consent. We also recommend a visible photography notice on your stand.

Can you deliver a short video for social media?

Yes. A 60–90 second recap film per show day is the usual scope — cut in portrait or landscape depending on where you publish it.

How many days should we book?

For most exhibitors one full day plus a shorter block on a second day is enough. Reduced rates apply from the second day onwards.

Contact

SPIEL in Essen — reserve your date

Send us the fair, your stand number and your preferred time slot. You'll normally receive a fixed-price quote within 24 hours.

We normally reply within 24 hours. For short-notice bookings during a show week, please call.