I am counting the days until the start of CONNECT 09, the Palm Springs Photo Festival – just six weeks away. If you haven’t attended, DO – it is a wonderful event, full of learning about multiple markets (fine art, documentary, commercial and more), rich with congeniality and held in a casual and beautiful setting.
Palm Springs Photo Festival is our “Arles” – Arles, California style!
Among the offerings are creative and technical workshops, seminars, symposiums, portfolio reviews and the fantastic evening lectures. I can’t wait to be among colleagues such as publishing professionals Michelle Dunn Marsh from Chronicle Books, Darius Himes from Radius Books, Chris Pichler from Nazraeli Press and hear artists such as Debbie Fleming Caffery, Todd Hido, Greg Gorman and more speak about their creative practice and sources of inspiration.
Some of the programs have a fee, but many are free and know too that the sponsors of the festival will have booths in which you can view the lastest product offerings, talk to technicians and more. I count it as and event where I combine teaching and reviewing portfolios with LEARNING – it is rich with continuing education for me.
PSPF is a great time for learning, from the masters and from each other, to say the least.
One of my favorite parts of the PSPF is the wonderful “evening slide shows” that show work from four finalists on the big screen at the Palm Springs Art Museum Theater prior to the evening’s presentations. Last year, the bodies of work we were introduced to each evening was outstanding, and highly anticipated – no one is late for the start of the slide show, writing down website and looking on line later to see the work again and again.
THIS COMPETITION IS FREE – I encourage all of you to submit your work and be part of the Festival! DEADLINE: MARCH 1.
For complete details, click here.
And, if signing up for portfolio reviews, plan to show your work at the OPEN PORTFOLIO EVENT which will be held on Sunday March 31st at the PSPF hotel, the Hyatt Regency Palm Springs. From the website:
“We have great news for you if you’re planning to attend Connect 09 and participate in the Portfolio Review Program!
Our Director, Jeff Dunas, has grappled for two years trying to find a way to include a major OPEN REVIEW in our program. This is an event whereby those who sign up for Portfolio Reviews will have the opportunity to participate, at no extra charge, in a fantastic OPEN REVIEW to take place on Sunday, March 29 at the Hyatt Regency hotel just a few blocks from Korakia, our Festival Headquarters. You will be able to present your work to a large group for this 3-hour event.
The Open Review will take place from 2:00pm – 5:00pm in the Hyatt’s Grand Salon. For those who would like to participate in the Open Review without signing up for Portfolio Reviews, there will be a small charge of $75 to participate.
Participants will have ample room to present works within approximately 3.5 – 4 feet of table space. This is a great opportunity to maximize your ability to present your work to a large group of people including decision makers at magazines, ad agencies, museums, galleries and others. A great many of our Faculty will be present to walk through the event and see you and your work. In addition, all attendees are invited to walk through the event and see the presentations. The number of photographers we can accommodate is limited so please register now! Simply use your registration confirmation to return to the registration site and select “Open Review” to participate. Those not planning to participate in Portfolio Reviews can click on the “Register” link below and sign up for the Open Review.
Slide Show Contest finalists will be invited to present their work at this event at no charge.
Immediately following the Open Review, our Opening Reception will begin at Korakia just a short several blocks away. We’ll have free shuttle service between the Hyatt and Korakia for this event.
Our staff is ready to help you with any questions. Please call 1-800 928- 8314 for further information or write us at info@palmspringsphotofestival.com.”
To view the “Festival Overview” and gain perspective on the diverse array of offerings, click here.
For a list of the evening presentations, click here.
For a complete list of festival faculty, click here.
To learn about the “Robert Mapplethorp: Portraits” exhibition that will be on view at the Palm Springs Art Museum during the Festival, click here.
Hats off to Jeff Dunas and the Contact 09 / PSPF team for planning a great event.
I look forward to seeing all of you in Palm Springs!
Marketing Photos with Mary Virginia Swanson 