The world’s first annual three-day instant film photography convention, PolaCon Bay Area Instant Film Society , returned to the Bay Area on March 14-16, 2025. This time back bigger and better than ever including the first ever PolaCon Bay Area Street Fair, Zines & Things Swap Meet, Instant Photography Demos, Workshops, Artist Talks, PolaWalks & more surprises.
Leica Store San Francisco alongside other Bay Area establishments co-sponsored PolaCon Bay Area 2025 where we hosted a Welcome Party and Chinatown Photowalk for Day 1, and a Leica SOFORT 2 Demo featuring local instant film photographer Danny Sanchez during the PolaCon Bay Area Street Fair at Thee Parkside for Day 2!
Day 1 -Welcome Party & Chinatown Photowalk
We were glad to welcome back the instant film community to the Leica Store San Francisco to kick off the Welcome Party and Chinatown Photowalk. This time around we partnered up with local instant film photographer Danny Sanchez to explore all the creative possibilities with the SOFORT 2. Danny has an extensive background and exclusively photographs with instant film for his work. During the party, Danny share a brief glimpse and insight into his project with the Leica SOFORT 2 while many conversations about cameras, film, and photography filled the room as we prepared to embark into chinatown with the group. Drinks were provided by Laughing Monk Brewery.
The plan for this years photowalk was the same as least years but with a twist. Instead of following a pre-planned route from the store, through Chinatown, and end at Mr. Bings like last year, we decided to make the walk free roam with chinatown as the encompassing “photo walk” area and ending/meeting at Mr. Bings at a specified time. This allowed photographers to follow their instincts and were encouraged to explore on their own or with others without feeling the need to stick to any one group. We all eventually made our way to Mr. Bings to share our results and share some drinks!
Day 2 – PolaCon Bay Area Street Fair & SOFORT 2 Demo with Danny at Thee Parkside
Calm Before the Storm
For day 2, we all gathered for the PolaCon Bay Area Street Fair at Thee Parkside just at the bottom of Potrero Hill. The day was filled with zine, camera, and film vendors as well as demos on Tintype portraits, working with models, 8×10 Portraits, The Leica SOFORT 2, Polaroid Graffiti, and performances by “Polaroid Phenomenons”!
Showtime!
Many intrigued and curious folks stopped by our table eager to demo the SOFORT 2, check out a small glimpse into what Danny had created with the camera, and grab a raffle ticket.
Danny Sanchez SOFORT 2 Demo & Raffle
It was now time for Danny to take the stage and present what is possible with the Leica SOFORT 2!
Danny took inspiration from instant film photographers and artists such as David Hockney and Maurizio Galimberti to create unique collages and maximizing the results of the instax mini film and pushing the creative limits with the SOFORT 2. *Few Frames w/ Danny Sanchez coming soon!*
After Danny’s presentation came raffle time! Congratulations again to our lucky winner who received a Made in Wetzlar Tote, Gold Leica Instax film pack, and a white SOFORT 2!
SOFORT 2 Play Time!
After Danny’s presentation, many more folks were excited and interested in getting hands on experience with camera as well as chat with Danny about his process with his project and time using the camera.
Thank you again to Instant Film Society and PolaCon Bay Area for including us in this amazing event! We would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks and our gratitude to Danny for partnering up with us and sharing his amazing work with the SOFORT2. Additionally, we thank the instant film community and all the sponsors for this event for inviting us back into the exciting world of instant film photography!
Thanks to our sponsors:
@polaroid
@sfinstantphotowalk
@theeparkside
@underdogfilmlab
@glasskeyphoto
@eastbayphotocollective
@leicastoresf
Poster Art by @ferrisplock
