Hawthorn & Kent, a distinguished UK-based distributor renowned for its innovative solutions within the events and attractions industry, has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with ZSL London Zoo. This collaboration heralds the introduction of GoPhoto’s cutting-edge photography services, designed to revolutionize the way visitors capture and treasure their experiences at one of the UK’s most cherished wildlife attractions. By blending immersive technology with creative photography, the partnership promises to elevate the visitor experience through a harmonious fusion of live capturing and digital innovation.
Sophie Adams, managing director at Hawthorn & Kent, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative: “We are delighted to be bringing GoPhoto to London Zoo! The opportunity to craft a unique and exceptional photography experience is something we at Hawthorn & Kent are truly passionate about, and we are looking forward to watching London Zoo, one of the foremost visitor attractions in the country, discover everything that GoPhoto has to offer.” This sentiment underscores the company’s commitment to delivering transformative visitor engagements through bespoke, technology-led experiences. Complementing this vision, Lee Duffy, head of commercial at London Zoo, emphasized the significance of this partnership: “This collaboration marks an exciting step forward in our mission to create memorable experiences for every visitor. By combining cutting-edge technology with Hawthorn & Kent’s expertise in photography, we are reimagining how our visitors capture and share their special moments at the Zoo.”
At the heart of this initiative is GoPhoto’s innovative approach that marries live photography with intuitive, AI-driven digital tools. Visitors to London Zoo now have the opportunity to step into the role of a zookeeper through a futuristic AI Creation Station, where selfies are transformed into whimsical zoo-themed portraits. This technology complements roaming photographers’ ability to capture candid, natural moments throughout the zoo grounds, providing a dynamic and personalized keepsake experience. The combination of AI, DSLR photography, and user-friendly self-service kiosks in a newly designed visitor hub epitomizes the future of attraction photography—simultaneously engaging, efficient, and environmentally conscious.
The creative impact of this collaboration cannot be overstated. It represents a pivotal moment where immersive media intersects seamlessly with traditional souvenir photography, crafting a digitally-enhanced storytelling medium that extends beyond the visit itself. This holistic system does not just capture images—it captures moments, emotions, and narratives, allowing visitors to preserve their story long after they leave the zoo. This approach is a notable deviation from conventional souvenir photos, offering enhanced interaction and engagement through technology like AI personalization and seamless digital access to photos for up to 12 months post-visit. Moreover, the focus on sustainability and minimizing waste aligns this initiative with contemporary ethical standards in visitor attractions, reflecting a broader trend of environmentally mindful innovation.
In the domain of fulldome and immersive media, Hawthorn & Kent and GoPhoto’s collaboration at London Zoo exemplifies a forward-thinking integration of technology and visitor experience that resonates with the community’s objectives. Much like how fulldome content creates enveloping, captivating environments to educate and entertain, this project elevates spatial and interactive storytelling through photography. It offers a fresh blueprint for how immersive experiences can be extended beyond visual spectacle into tangible, lasting mementos. By pushing boundaries, this work aligns with the ethos of festivals and planetarium venues focused on experiential innovation while catering to family-oriented and educational audiences eager to engage with technology in novel ways.
Hawthorn & Kent’s role as a distributor and consultant positions them as a catalyst for new forms of visitor engagement across the UK’s attractions landscape. Their partnership with GoPhoto—an already respected name in immersive photography technology—adds another layer of excellence and serves as an inspiring model for similar ventures within the global fulldome and experiential media industries. As immersive media continues to expand its reach and influence, projects like these demonstrate the value of merging digital creativity with real-world interactions, thereby enriching both visitor experiences and the culture of memory-making in public spaces.
Originally reported by Rebecca Hardy via blooloop.com on 2025-11-28 04:06:00.
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