I recently joined the Viewpoint Sacramento Center for Photographic Arts. Partly because I enjoy the gallery and wanted to support it, but mostly because my wife says all I do is work and I need new friends. They have an open print night the first Wednesday of every month where anyone can bring in their photographic print to be critiqued. I figured I would stop in and take a look since, for once, I was in town. I had no intention of bringing any of my own prints, and in fact I probably have printed less than 1% of the photographs I have taken. My wife then proceeded to instruct me that I would be bringing a print to be critiqued and which print that would be. I have since attended a couple open print nights and received some great feedback. This prompted me to answer an open call for artists for the Yosemite exhibit opening in spring. Over 400 photographs were submitted from photographers all over, and mine was one of 30 photographs chosen for the exhibit. The exhibit was opening on Friday April 12, 2019 just the same week as my industry’s most important trade show of the year.
Despite my commitment to my business, I decided that I could leave the trade show early by one day, fly across the county, and still make it to the opening night of the exhibit. In addition, I felt it was important to include the two most important people in my life to accompany me to the show. The simple decision to actually print a photograph lead to me to new friends, improvement of my own photography, and the ability to share a very special accomplishment with the most important people in my life. From now on, when I take a photograph, I will print it.