I recently returned from a trip to Paris, France, where I attended Paris Photo, the largest annual photography gathering in Europe. This was my first visit, and thanks to my podcast, I was able to secure a press pass. The show itself was overwhelming, with numerous galleries showcasing a wide array of work, including classic photos, new photography, and digital photography. There were also booksellers and book signings, and to top it all off, an installation by Daido Moriyama.
The Paris Photo show spanned four days, and I found it so overwhelming that I attended three times. However, the city had many other photography-related events taking place simultaneously. One such event was Polycopies, an independent publishing photo book event held on a boat stationed on the Seine River. Polycopies served as a “punk rock” response to the larger, corporate attitude of Paris Photo, and I personally found it more to my liking. Another noteworthy show was OffPrint, focusing on books, not limited to photography but encompassing various printed matter. It drew a diverse crowd and added to the cultural richness of my experience.
The Pompidou Center hosted a photography exhibit well worth attending, titled “Corps à corps - Histoire(s) de la photographie” featuring an impressive array of work spanning the history of photography. I also had the pleasure of attending a photo exhibit by Julia Margaret Cameron, showcasing beautiful Victorian glass plate prints at the Jeu de Paume museum. However, one of the highlights of my time in Paris was attending a Michael Ackerman photo exhibit at the Camera Obscura Gallery in Montparnasse. I even had the opportunity to meet Michael and engage in extensive discussions about his work.
In addition to savoring delicious meals and indulging in a bit too much smoking, I immersed myself in the photography that surrounded me. The experience left me inspired, and I found myself compelled to capture many moments through my lens. More on that front will undoubtedly come in the future. I've already marked my calendar for next year's Paris Photo dates, eagerly anticipating another visit to this vibrant city that truly shone as the center of the photographic world during a wonderful week in November. I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of it.