Yar Mail #63: Photographers I met at FotoFest and ICP
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I do quite a lot of portfolio reviews, and through them I get the chance to meet some incredible photographers from around the world. So far this year, I did multi-day reviews at FotoFest in Houston and some at the International Center of Photography in NYC. I probably met around 40–50 new photographers through those sessions.
So I figured it might be nice to use this newsletter to share some highlights, in part because this subscriber list is mainly photographers, photo editors, and journalists. Some of you even have decent taste in art and photography, so maybe you’ll appreciate discovering some new people to add to your Rolodex—or buy some art from.
Anyway, here’s a short list of photographers you should check out.
Roman Franc & Jon Tonks
A photographer duo creating mind-blowing large-format portraiture that stopped me in my tracks (my favorite portfolio at FotoFest): Roman Franc and Jon Tonks are two photographers working together on a collaborative endeavour called Groups Collective. They both create distinctive group pictures that remind people of the importance of where they belong. These two photographers, and friends, have worked together for over ten years, building their aesthetics both separately and in tandem. @roman__franc & @jon_tonks
Paola Chapdelaine
A creative photojournalist with a thoughtful approach to everyday stories (my favorite portfolio at ICP): Paola Chapdelaine is a French photojournalist and documentary photographer based in the New York area. She covers social and political issues in the US, from youth in the digital age to the American political divide and the climate crisis. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Politico, and others. @paola.chapdelaine
Ariana Gomez
A photographer blending mood, light, and family: Ariana Gomez is a visual artist living in Austin, Texas. Her practice explores myth-making in relation to place, reflecting on her parent’s relationship to land and home. Gomez has exhibited both in the US and internationally and holds a BFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and an MFA from The University of Texas at Austin. @_arianagomez
Lidewij Mulder
A photographer with a sensitive and soft style, operating with connection and depth: Lidewij Mulder is a Dutch photographer based in New York City. Her work explores intimate personal stories that highlight often overlooked social and cultural issues, and has been exhibited internationally and recognized by several photography awards and festivals. @lidewij.mulder
Leonid Furmansky
A photographer who sees past the banal with creative architecture-focused series: Leonid Furmansky is a Ukrainian American photographer raised by Deaf parents and based in Austin, Texas. Originally coming from a background in BMX photography, his work now documents cities, architecture, and the built environment. Through his photography, Furmansky explores the architecture, history, and landscapes that shape a city. @leonidfurmanskyphotographer
Hope Mora
A photographer with a soft, personal lens focused on home in the Permian Basin: Hope Mora is a Mexican-American photographer who divides her time between Houston and West Texas. For over a decade, she has captured the essence of her hometown, Pecos, Texas, through a personal lens, sharing insights into the local culture and community life. @levariomora
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