Pixiq

When the earthquake and tsunami happened in Japan this past spring, so many people around the globe rushed to donate money and supplies to assist the victims. Help is still needed, and once again the photo industry is coming together for a fundraiser that will benefit the International Red Cross, to help the survivors of the natural disasters, who are still in need.

The benefit is happening during the PhotoPlus Expo tradeshow at the end of October in NYC. The annual Bash at PhotoPlus Expo will be the site of this fundraiser. Tickets for the PhotoPlus Bash and Benefit for Japan can be purchased for $35 online, on the PhotoPlus Expo website, or after October 26, for $50 onsite. The venue for the Bash and Benefit is Highline Stages, which is located at 440 West 15th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues) in New York City, from 8pm till midnight on Friday October 28, 2011.

To help in fundraising, 50 of the world’s most respected photographers will be donating an original print as part of a silent auction that will take place during the Bash and Benefit. Attendees will be able to bid on original signed images from such renowned photographers as Harry Benson, Susan Meiselas, Douglas Kirkland, John Isaac and others.

“The disaster in Japan last March has had an incredible impact on the photo industry and we wanted to create an event that would allow us to help—as an entire photo community—those most affected by the disaster,” explains Jeff McQuilkin, Director—PDN PhotoPlus International Conference & Expo. “The response we received from photographers invited to donate prints for auction has been overwhelming and in most cases their initial response was, ‘what else can I do?’ The benefit will not only help raise needed funds, but will continue the tradition of PhotoPlus Expo social events as being celebrations of community and photography,” McQuilkin added.

Highline Stages is a 45,000 square foot studio space that offers cycloramas and studio shooting spaces for fashion shoots, commercials and other productions.

For more information about PhotoPlus Expo, check out the website at www.photoplusexpo.com or visit the tradeshow’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/photoplusexpo) or follow the show on Twitter (www.twitter.com/photoplusexpo.com).