Photography, since its inception, has been a male-dominated field. I may ruffle some feathers when I say this, but it is what it is. While women have contributed to the medium in myriad ways, their contribution has often been overlooked or neglected. To change this on the grassroots level, many organizations and institutions are propelling to have a diverse set of faculty, judges, and mentors. Many grants and competitions are specifically directed at women and non-binary artists, too. To add to this growing list of associations that want to foster a more progressive community, the Women Photographers International Archive (WOPHA) is organizing its popular photography conference, the WOPHA Congress.
The lead image is by Diana Larrea, courtesy of WOPHA. All images are used with permission.
A Photography Conference for Everyone
A nonprofit organization, WOPHA focuses on research and education to promote and support the contribution of women and non-binary photographers to modern photography. The second edition of the WOPHA Congress is in collaboration with the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). This year’s theme is titled How Photography Teaches Us to Live Now, which aims to not only educate but also foster diverse approaches to photographic education.
The three-day event, which has been conceptualized by Latinx art historian and curator Aldeide Delgado, will feature diverse activities. For instance, the WOPHA Assembly, titled Technologies of Companionship, is a great opportunity to network with some of the best minds in the industry. This includes Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, co-founder of MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora, and Anna Fox, co-founder of Fast Forward: Women in Photography. One can also learn varied ways of growing one’s teaching practices.
In addition, there are photo walks and panel discussions, too. The walk is Clara Toro, Rose Marie Cromwell, and Nicole Combeau. Following it, participants get a chance to get their portfolios reviewed by Noelle Flores Théard from The New Yorker and Verónica Sanchis Bencomo from The New York Times. Later, during a panel discussion, Silvia Lizama and Susan Meiselas speak about the impact of photography on cultural narratives. The photography conference also features more discussions on ecology and materiality in photography. That’s not all. Visitors to the photography conference will also have a chance to see exhibitions titled What They Saw: Historical Photobooks by Women and Women Photographers—Shared Documentary Narratives.
Some events have an entry fee, and some are free. For more information on the schedule, please visit WOPHA Congress’ website.
Why WOPHA is a Great Chance to Grow
WOPHA wants a more equal future for photography, so it aims to preserve and document the works of women and non-binary photographers, helping individuals see their innovations as contemporaries of their already famous male counterparts. However, the photography conference is open to everyone to drive this change.
Irrespective of your gender, the event will help you learn a great deal not just about diverse narratives but also about yourself. Through group portfolios, workshops, chats, and so on, the conference is a great place for anyone to see the multifaceted approach to photography. With educators and curators at the photography conference, one will gather too much knowledge. Their advice or comments will also be of utmost help for your career. One can also make new friends, which may help you later to build your project. They may push you to look at your work differently, add the missing pieces, and improve it.
Furthermore, the photography conference will help one see multifarious and unique approaches to the medium. The event is curated with the future of the medium in mind, which means that the talks and showcases will help you see how contemporary art will shape it. In a way, you will see the future in the making.
The WOPHA photography conference will take place in South Florida from October 23 to 26, 2024. Entry to the event at PAMM is free, and American Sign Language interpretation, along with live translations to Spanish and Creole, will be available. To register, visit the conference’s website.