This week, Los Angeles becomes host to hundreds of gallerists, curators, collectors, and photo enthusiasts with Photo LA on the horizon, opening Thursday evening, Jan 8th through Sunday, January 11th. If you’ve never attended an international photography exposition (Photo NY, Photo Miami, Paris Photo, to name a few), it is a fantastic opportunity to not only see more imagery than your mind can absorb, but to get of pulse on what is happening in the photography world–what’s new, what’s selling, how work is being presented (how things are matted or not matted, image size, black and white versus color). Some years I have come away inspired, others, depressed, but no matter. You come away recharged to make better work. There are also guided collecting tours by curators and lectures by photographers such as Catherine Opie, Joel-Peter Witkin, and Jim Goldberg. I will be giving some feedback about what I’m seeing this year. Last year, one of the highlights for me was to see very small work that held it’s own again the enormous imagery of years past.

Part two of this LA photo week, is Review LA. Hosted by Center (formerly the Santa Fe Center for Photography). They are providing 3 sessions of portfolio reviews at the Double Tree Hotel in Santa Monica. I will be participating in at least one round of reviews and the Portfolio Walk on Saturday Night. If you are in the LA area, come to the Double Tree Hotel from 6-9pm and spend some time looking the work of emerging photographers. They will be more than happy to sell their work, and you might discover the next….(fill in desired name).

I thought I’d feature some of my students that will be participating the the reviews for the first time. I’m sure any words of encouragement would be appreciated!