I just got back from Colorado, again. I flew back out there for the
Telluride Photography Festival. I worked as a volunteer for the week. I was scheduled to work two days, but I ended up loving the festival and other volunteers so much that I worked more than I was scheduled for. I had the best time and look back with the thought - "flying out especially for the festival was one of the best decisions of my life". I will do again next year for sure. I'll get to why it was such a good decision for me in a moment, but I have to advise you (if you enjoy photography) this is an event you need to put on your calendar.
There were numerous galleries of high class work dotted around the small beautiful town. Seminars, workshops, photography nature walks, competitions and hundreds of interesting people to talk to and network with. I usually feel uncomfortable networking, but everyone there was so interesting.
The highlight for me
were the portfolio reviews. Some of the worlds leading photographers were there doing said reviews. I was lucky enough to sit down and hear thoughts about my work from three of the five photographers I set out to speak to.
Robert Glenn Ketchum and
Carlton Ward Jnr. the two I missed - I'm sure I'll grab them next year.
I spoke to
Tom Mangelsen, heavyweight mega-fauna photographer from the
iLCP and he was very honest and gave me some amazing tips. I spoke to Emily Loose, the director of communications for the
WILD foundation and she was extremely cool to speak to (pretty witty also). From her I got tips on how to get involved with conservation and contacts. Most impressive of all, I managed to secure the very first portfolio review of the entire festival, a 9am slot with no other than
Cristina Mittermeier. Somewhat of a personal hero of mine. I won't go into too much detail but she is the president of the
International League of Conservation Photographers - who do an incredible amount of good for our planet. She was very pleased with my photography, pointed out a few ways of making it better. She also openly preferred my photographs of the Arabic asylum seekers to my wildlife shots. Which is food for thought.
Needless to say, speaking to these incredible people and listening to them in seminars really reminded me of my younger self. The guy that once actively sought conservation, only to let it drift away over the years due to the "rat race" and city life. Well, I can confirm that I'm back! I am now contacting several non-profit organisations offering my services. I have been fired up, and I'm dieing to help out.
Thank you Telluride Photo Festival, but most of all, thank you Cristina & the iLCP!
