Amanda Hanley at PhotoPlus Expo’s Portfolio Reviews

by Amanda Hanley

The Javits Convention Center in New York City was buzzing with photographers at the Expo Hall, but the truly in-depth focus on photography was actually deep in the alcoves of the building. Rooms 2D9-2D11 were packed with photographers and reviewers from all corners of the globe and industry; everywhere you looked were big cases or boxes of prints and eager faces looking for the kind of direct feedback that only a live portfolio review can give. I was one of the reviewers on Saturday and met with eleven photographers in a day of what was essentially Photography Speed Dating.

Jeff Dunas and his crew at the Palm Springs Photo Festival packed their bags and headed east to New York to hold their reviews during the PhotoPlus Expo, in conjunction with Photo District News. I suppose that even the lucky ones who get southern California sun need a change of scenery sometimes. Fortunately, New York is a quick trip for many, and they had no problem attracting some of the most distinguished art buyers, photo editors, curators, agents, and educators in the industry.

I happened to sit in front of the International Center of Photography’s Chair of the Documentary Photography and Photojournalism Program, Alison Morley, who loved the chance to find fresh faces through these reviews. Michael Norseng, Esquire’s Director of Photography, said he wasn’t exhausted just yet after a couple days’ worth of reviews. And Bartholomew Bland, the Hudson River Museum’s Curator of Exhibitions, was equally gung-ho about the day, saying he may have found someone for an upcoming exhibition. I later spoke with Miriam Leucher, Popular Photography Magazine’s Editor, about her involvement with a program for mentoring and rehabilitating folks through photography. She stressed the importance of working with established, professional photographers because they can impart both technical and artistic methods and ideas. Giving people point-and-shoot cameras and hooking them up with amateur photographers is just a quick fix and does not really leave the person with a lasting knowledge base to nurture.

Despite the large number of participating photographers, the team kept everything running smoothly, and my eleven reviews went by quickly. Two highlights for me were Isabel Pinto (pictured above), a photographer who flew in all the way from Portugal to share her work (she has a lovely self-published book called Familia that I highly recommend perusing), and emerging photographer Michael Clinard of Seattle, whose off-center vision was a pleasure to explore in his book.

Nice work, and congratulations to all the organizers – thanks for the opportunity, and I hope to make it to sunny Palm Springs next time!

Check out our Membership page to learn more about how we promote our photographers or just reach out.