Portfolio Reviews

Photolucida will not hold reviews in Portland in April 2024; however, look for announcements about future opportunities soon! When determined we will announce via our newsletter and social media outlets. Thank you!

WHAT ARE THE PORTFOLIO REVIEWS?

The in-person Portfolio Reviews are the heart of Photolucida – gallery owners, curators, editors, photo festival directors, and publishers representing small, mid-sized, and major venues gather to review work. Seventy-five mid-career level photographers register for one-on-one meetings with the reviewers of their choice. Each review session lasts for twenty-five minutes. The number of participants is limited to ensure that everyone receives 12 reviews over the three-day event. It’s a great way to network, both with reviewers and peers. After attending the Portfolio Reviews, numerous photographers have walked away with opportunities to exhibit, publish, and sell their work. Please see the Participant Stories page for some detailed outcomes!

In addition to the primary Reviews appointments, Photolucida provides an informal meeting room with “roving” reviewers who look at work and give feedback and potential opportunities. Additional programming also includes “lunchtime chats” (daily talks from luminaries in the photography world) and evening events. A Portfolio Walk at the Portland Art Museum is organized for participants and is always embraced enthusiastically by the Portland public.

LEVEL OF WORK EXPECTED

Photolucida does not jury the Portfolio Reviews, but we strive to keep the level of work of participants high. Participants should be mid-career fine-art photographers with a recent history of exhibition and/or publication. Registrants are vetted (we view website/social media), and then names are placed in a lottery. Those not receiving a spot initially will be placed on the waitlist. For a good reference of where your work should be professionally, please look at the artists in the Critical Mass Top 50. Photolucida reserves the right to limit acceptance to participants who meet these criteria.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Registration for Photolucida 2022 was open from September 20-27, 2021. All registrants were vetted and notified early October.

The $950 payment can be made via credit card or check. A payment plan is available. Check your regional Arts and Culture Council’s grant opportunities. Attending Photolucida is considered “Professional Development” and often there are grants available for artists.

Our primary concern is the health of all our participants. If deemed unrealistic to hold this event in-person, Plan B is an online version (in which a partial refund will be made), and if event is cancelled totally, photographers will be refunded in full.

PHOTOGRAPHERS’ PARTICIPANT INDEX

All participants will be included in our handy participant index – an online resource with images and websites from each photographer.

REVIEWERS

Our great roster of Reviewers is now online! Photographers enter their preference lists for Reviewers online in early April – our scheduling programming does a great job assigning the top percentage of choices to you. You will be able to view your reviewer assignments online, before you arrive in Portland.

ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are attending Photolucida’s Reviews event, you will be sent a FAQ sheet with lodging options and information. Discount codes will be provided to registered photographers!

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

Refunds — We provide a full refund (minus a $250 processing fee) until January 1, 2022. After January 1, 2022 we offer a full refund (minus a $250 processing fee) IF we can fill your spot with a photographer on the waiting list. No refunds are available after March 21st, 2022. If you decide to cancel your registration you may not transfer or sell your spot to another photographer of your choosing. Open slots go to the first person on Photolucida’s wait list. If the event as a whole is cancelled, photographers will receive their entire registration fee ($950) back.