Photographer/Director Jacob Hand has been photographing the NeoCon furniture show, a premier commercial design showcase, at Chicago’s The Mart (formerly The Merchandise Mart) for the past several years. His coverage has traditionally focused on the people—capturing attendees interacting with the latest furniture and enjoying the energy of the show.
When The Mart’s creative agency approached Jacob last year, they handed him an exciting new challenge: capture the faces and personalities of the designers both attending the event and presenting their work.
They released the images on social media leading up to this year’s show. It was a fun assignment and an exciting creative challenge for Jacob. During the packed three-day event, each portrait had to be captured in mere minutes. With no time for lighting setups, Jacob navigated crowded showrooms while keeping background attendees out of the frame. Fortunately, the beautifully designed spaces and furniture provided the perfect backdrop. It was such a success that the NeoCon asked Jacob to return again.
For more of Jacob’s work, visit his Worbook portfolio.
