Photoville

Opening Weekend Community Celebration

Opening Weekend Community Celebration

Starting at 12pm on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17,

at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Emily Roebling Plaza!

 

Celebrate 15 years of Photoville with a weekend of free festivities, programming, and more!.

To celebrate the opening of the festival, Photoville will present a free Community Weekend (May 16 and 17), a visual storytelling event bringing various artists to Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring 65 exhibitions and free public programming from VSCO, the Penumbra Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, Creatively Wild, and Cynthia Santos Briones. As you take in all the festivities, we invite you to relax at the Leica Camera Lounge, or grab a bite at our Smorgasburg pop-up.

Join us on opening night, Saturday May 16, for Boroughs In Focus, a special presentation of photos projected on the Brooklyn Bridge featuring photo collections highlighting New York’s five unique boroughs from over 35 photographers.

Have a question? Read our FAQ!

Weekend Schedule

Time
Activity
Location

 

SATURDAY

Saturday, ALL DAY

Leica Camera Pavilion

 

In this hands-on image making activity, bring your camera and meet at ICP on the Lower East Side and walk downtown across the Brooklyn Bridge, ending at Photoville in Emily Warren Roebling Plaza.

Leica Camera Pavilion
Saturday, 11:00 – 1:30 PM

Brooklyn Bridge Street Photography Walking Tour

 

In this hands-on image-making activity, bring your camera and meet at the International Center of Photography on the Lower East Side and walk downtown across the Brooklyn Bridge, ending at Photoville in Emily Warren Roebling Plaza.

International Center of Photography
Saturday, 12:00 - 2:00 PM

Botanical Imprints: Cyanotype with Medicinal Plants

 

This workshop invites participants to explore image-making through cyanotype, a cameraless photographic process that uses sunlight and photosensitive compounds to produce images in deep blue tones. Participants will work with medicinal herbs—such as lavender, sage, and rosemary—to create botanical photographs on fabric and cotton paper, exploring the forms and textures of plants. Led by Cinthya Santos-Briones.

Family Activity Tent
Saturday, 12:00 - 2:00 PM

VR activation with Doctors Without Borders

 

Immerse yourself in a 360-degree virtual reality experience as you listen to the powerful words of a Sudanese doctor forced to flee his home.

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Saturday, 12:00 - 7:00 PM

Tintype Portrait Booth

 

Have your portrait taken at Penumbra Foundation’s Tintype Portrait booth!

Penumbra has been making tintypes at Photoville for over a decade. Considered by many to be the Polaroid of the 19th century, the tintype is made almost instantaneously through a process that uses hand poured chemicals on an enameled sheet of metal. Guests can sign up to have their portrait made through this historical process and will walk away that day with their own unique heirloom.

Penumbra Tintype Studio
Saturday, 1:00 – 8:00 PM

VSCO’s Film-Inspired Photobooth

 

Step inside VSCO’s film FX-inspired photo booth. Select a 35mm or 8mm frame, add light leaks or simply apply a touch of Grain – and get a digital or physical copy of your portrait.

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Saturday, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Photoville Team Curated Tour

 

Put on your walking shoes and join the Photoville team on a curated tour of the Photoville Festival!

Photoville Information Booth
Saturday, 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Wet Nose Pawject Paw-Pup

 

National Geographic and New York Times photographer Kholood Eid’s Wet Nose Pawject is hosting a Paw-Pup Pawtrait Studio for doggos. Each Friend will have 10-15 minutes for a mini pawtrait session which includes treats, toys and more fun than you can wag a tail at. First come, first served!

Family Activity Tent
Saturday, 3:00 - 6:00 PM

The Junk Edit

 

Create your own junk journal page with Sarai Garcia.

Participants can cut, layer, and collage to make their own journal page. Rooted in play and creative freedom, this session offers a low-pressure space to slow down and work with your hands. All ages welcomed. No experience needed.

Come and go as you like. All materials are provided.

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Saturday, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Diversify Photo Happy Hour

 

Join us at the Opening Day Community Celebration to socialize and reconnect with friends and colleagues from the Diversify Photo community! Complimentary drinks provided to Diversify Photo members, courtesy of the generous support of VSCO.

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn
Saturday, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Opening Night: Boroughs In Focus

 

Join us for a special presentation as we project photo collections from over 35 photographers onto the Brooklyn Bridge, showcasing New York City’s five unique boroughs.

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn

 

SUNDAY

 

Sunday, ALL DAY

Leica Camera Pavilion

 

Experience the world of Leica photography at Photoville through a selection of curated photo walks and panels. From Seeing in Monochrome to Moments in Focus, you’ll experience Leica photography and guidance by acclaimed Leica photographers.

Leica Camera Pavilion
Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 PM

VR activation with Doctors Without Borders

 

Immerse yourself in a 360-degree virtual reality experience as you listen to the powerful words of a Sudanese doctor forced to flee his home.

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 PM

Crafts with Creatively Wild

Join us for a fun and hands-on craft session where creativity takes center stage! Surrounded by fresh air and good vibes, you’ll get to experiment with a variety of materials and make something uniquely your own. All ages and skill levels welcome—just bring your imagination!

Family Activity Tent
Sunday, 12:00 - 6:00 PM

Tintype Portrait Booth

Have your portrait taken at Penumbra Foundation’s Tintype Portrait booth!

Penumbra has been making tintypes at Photoville for over a decade. Considered by many to be the Polaroid of the 19th century, the tintype is made almost instantaneously through a process that uses hand poured chemicals on an enameled sheet of metal. Guests can sign up to have their portrait made through this historical process and will walk away that day with their own unique heirloom.

Penumbra Tintype Studio
Sunday, 1:00 – 8:00 PM

VSCO’s Film-Inspired Photobooth

 

Step inside VSCO’s film FX-inspired photo booth. Select a 35mm or 8mm frame, add light leaks or simply apply a touch of Grain – and get a digital or physical copy of your portrait.

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza
Sunday, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Cameras + Coffee with Leica

 

Join us at the Leica Camera Lounge bringing photographers and creatives together. Complimentary coffee and pastries available.

Leica Camera Pavilion
Sunday, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Photoville Team Curated Tour

 

Put on your walking shoes and join the Photoville team on a curated tour of the Photoville Festival!

Photoville Information Booth
Sunday, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

20/20: 20 Years, 20 Photos – A Walk and Talk with the Pulitzer Center

 

Please join the Pulitzer Center to hear about the role photography has played in our 20-year history, and our vision for the next 20!

Photoville Information Booth

Opening Day Sponsors

This website was made possible thanks to the generous support and partnership of Photowings