Just back from New Mexico after attending Review Santa Fe. Besides reconnecting with photographer and reviewer friends, one of the highlights was meeting photographers I have featured on Lenscratch and seeing their wonderful work in person: Emily Shur, Kevin Miyazaki, Dave Jordano, Eileen Kennedy, and Lori Waselchuk to name a few. The RSF participants were made up of the Santa Fe Prize winner, Hiroyo Kaneko, and other nominees, Project Competition winners (including Cori Chandler-Pepelnjak), and a variety of photographers new to the review process. It made for a wide variety of work from photographers from all over the world.

The reviewing rooms

Besides the daily reviews, photographers found time to share work in the hallways or lobby of the hotel, or more often, in the bar. The second night featured a portfolio walk, open to the reviewers and the public, providing an opportunity to get a broad overview of the work. When there was a free moment, photographers tried to see the work of their fellow participants and connected with the photographers next to each other.

The Portfolio Walk

The reviewers worked tirelessly to provide guidance, opportunities, and feedback on the work–I had meaningful conversations with all of my reviewers and if nothing else, felt that these connections were the beginnings of long-time relationships. As Laura Wzorek Pressley, Executive Director of Center, stated in our opening meeting, “Think of the review as a first date, and don’t expect to get married right away.” Truth be told, I did hear of a few elopements, but for the most part, it looked like the dating scene was alive and well. It is always a treat to spend time with Michael Mazzeo of the Michael Mazzeo Gallery, David Bram of Fraction Magazine, Andy Adams of Flak Photo, Karen Sinsheimer of the Santa Barbara Art Museum, Amber Terranova of PDN, Crista Dix of Wallspace, Ann Jastrab of Rayko, Whitney Johnson of The New Worker, and then make new, significant connections with Laura Valenti from Newspace Gallery, Elizabeth Avedon, Brian Paul Clamp from Clamp Gallery, Jennifer Schlesinger from Verve Gallery, Anthony Bannon from the George Eastman House, and Mark DiPrima from the Zane Bennett Gallery.

And finally, driving back to the airport in Albuquerque along the Turquoise Trail with my friend Susan Burnstine, was a wonderful way to reconnect to what’s it is really all about: taking photographs…