The Leica Akademie has workshops available for photographers to participate in across the globe and is bringing lectures to the New York Photo Festival this year in addition to an M9 and X1 loan program and Scavenger Hunt!

Have you ever wanted to test drive a Leica M9 or X1 camera? We invite participants of the New York Photo Festival to stop by the Leica booth located on 1 Main St. Storefront in Brooklyn, NY, because these cameras will be available for loan for up to three hours on a complimentary basis through the end of the festival on Sunday, May 15. Tom Smith, Leica Events and Education Manager, shares, “If you have always wanted to test drive a Leica, this is a great opportunity to speak to the experts and take a camera for a three hour tour!” Festival goers also have the opportunity to participate in the Leica Scavenger Hunt and daily Leica Akademie Lectures.

The festival kicked off on Wednesday and over 35 cameras, including the Leica M9, X1 and D-Lux, 5 were loaned out to both amateur and professional photographers at the event. Leica staff enjoyed answering people’s questions and will be available throughout the festival to speak with photographers. As part of the festival, we encourage people to participate in the Leica Scavenger Hunt and daily Leica Akademie Lectures.

Leica Scavenger Hunt
1 Main St. Storefront
Brooklyn, NY

Thursday, 5/12 thru Saturday, 5/14; 12–7pm

An exciting option in the Leica loan out program offers photography enthusiasts the opportunity to participate in our Scavenger Hunt.  We’ll select the best images from the Scavenger Hunt to be showcased in the Leica pop-up exhibition and reception, taking place Saturday, May 14 from 5–7 pm at 55 Washington, ground floor. Tom Smith reminds festival-goers who want to loan out a camera that “A credit card and ID must be provided in exchange for the borrowed camera and participants should bring their own SD memory cards for loaner cameras.”

Last year’s Scavenger Hunt winner, Marawan Hamdi, explains his test drive with the M9, It was my first time using a rangefinder type of camera, and I was unaccustomed to having to manually focus every shot. However, I found that the nature of the camera’s operation encouraged me to spend more time contemplating my compositions before capturing them.” Stay tuned to see whose photos will be selected as the best this year!

Leica Akademie Lectures
The powerHouse Arena
37 Main St, Brooklyn, NY

  • Thursday, 5/12
  • Friday, 5/13; 4pm
  • Saturday, 5/14; 12pm & 3pm
  • Sunday, 5/15; 12.00pm

In addition to the Leica Scavenger Hunt, we are hosting Leica Akademie Lectures each day of the festival. Open to experienced and entry level photographers, Leica Akademie Lectures teach the art of photography by providing insight on how to capture breathtaking imagery through the viewfinder of a Leica Camera. Small class sizes and personalized interaction with an experienced Leica instructor inspires students to share images, techniques and insights. These complimentary lectures are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are also accepted at the Leica booth located at 1 Main St. Storefront.

Leica Akademie Workshops

If you’re interested in learning about more Akademie workshops, please visit:

For more information about the New York Photo Festival visit, http://www.newyorkphotofestival.com. We hope to see you at the New York Photo Festival or at one of our Akademie workshops!

CORRECTION NOTE: Leica Camera DOES NOT have SD cards for purchase at the photo festival. Photographers who use the loaned out cameras must supply their own SD cards.