Today, I found out that my image above was selected for exhibition (annex) at the PhotoPlace Gallery for their theme of Personal Narrative! The juror was Susan Burnstine.
I am grateful to have been selected and am proud that my work stands alongside many other amazing photographers with their provocative, evocative, mesmerizing and wondrous images. Of course, I'll be honest to admit that I am disappointed that it wasn't chosen for the main exhibition, but these are always good times to reflect.
Once when I attended an artist talk, the juror shared that on another day, another time, another juror, our photograph may have been chosen, and that it isn't necessarily a mark against our artistry. It was and remains more important to keep shooting and creating. So there's always a bit of that to keep things in perspective. But, I do appreciate introspection. Is there something I missed about my photograph? How could I have made it stronger? How can I, or should I, include deeper layers of meaning? It's a constant challenge and I value how this photographic journey forces me to think and grow.
And why do I exhibit? To see what my senior and peer colleagues in the industry have to say and think about my work. The selection is praise, while the critique is sharpening. For my kids and family photography clients here in the Philadelphia and Princeton area (and NYC and Brooklyn!), my hope is that my exhibited work is a testament of the continual drive I have to prove the technical and aesthetic qualities of my work. If I am your photographer, I am thankful for the exchange of time and photography...for lending me the chance to create something uniquely beautiful. Thank you.