Saturday night!
It’s hard to believe our PhotoMidwest fall festival is coming to a close. Fortunately, we’re planning one last hurrah before the pictures come down on November 9. Time flies like that, right? Before we know it, we’ll be shoveling snow. Oof!
I hope some of you can join us for our closing reception in Madison on Saturday night. The exciting news is that photographer Rashod Taylor will be in town. On Saturday, he’ll teach a workshop and give a lecture about his photography. The schedule:
Saturday, November 2
3-4:30 PM: Rashod Taylor Fine Art Portrait Photography Workshop
6 PM: PhotoMidwest Closing Reception
7 PM: Rashod Taylor Photography Lecture
I know many of you are fans of Rashod’s work. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Bryan Birks’ Analog Artisans profile is a terrific introduction to his photography:
I’ve previously written about the photography programming we’re developing at the Arts + Literature Laboratory. Our program is focused on exhibitions, a speaker series, and documentary films. I’m excited to host another educational workshop and hope we can do more like this in the future.
If you make portraits, this one is for you.
Rashod has taught workshops at Anderson Ranch Art Center and lectured at Stanford University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Maine Media Workshop + College, and many others, so having him in Madison for FREE is a genuine treat. Here’s what you can expect:
Step into a supportive learning environment in this free photography workshop guided by award-winning fine art portrait photographer Rashod Taylor. We will explore the components of a successful portrait photography session, from building trust with your subjects to effectively communicating your vision. You'll learn how to address fears when approaching strangers and create a space for intimacy and relationship in your portrait-making process. This salon-style meeting will examine composition, lighting, and directing while discussing successful photographers to inspire your work.
Rashod’s workshop is free and open to the public. Registration isn’t required to attend, but you can help us prepare by pre-registering. Thanks in advance!Â
Saturday will also be one of your last chances to see Rashod's Little Black Boy exhibition in the Mezzanine Gallery. Rashod’s prints are really something to see in person — they are big, beautiful experiences. I’ve seen many of these images online, but standing in their presence is something else. I know you know what I mean. Please make some time to swing by for a look before the show closes on November 9.
One more thing…
Sarah Urbaez interviewed Rashod on LISTO. For those of you who can’t make it to Wisconsin I think you’ll enjoy this. Rashod is an essential voice in the photography community, and I want more people to hear it. Thanks for reading.
About the photographer
Rashod Taylor (b.1985) attended Murray State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in art, specializing in Fine Art Photography, in 2007. Taylor favors traditional and lost-format photography practices, silver prints, and wet-plate collodion processes. His photographs are a window into the Black American experience.
Taylor’s work uses portraiture to address themes of family, race, culture, and legacy. His photographs are part of the permanent collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
The artist is represented by JDC Fine Art and Obscura Gallery and has been included in group and solo shows, respectively. He lives in Bloomington, Illinois.
I was excited there for a moment because I'm actually going to be in Madison that morning. Unfortunately, I have to be back in Milwaukee by the time of the reception and talk.