This past Thursday evening, we joined world-class artists, photographers, galleries, dealers, and publishers at photo l.a.’s opening night at the historic Santa Monica Barker Hangar.  The annual fair, which has been around for almost three decades, was packed with photography enthusiasts of all kinds and dealers from across the globe. From vintage works, to fashion and skate photography as well as video and multimedia installations, it was more than just a photography show. The exhibition also included speakers, panels, workshops and book signings—needless to say, there was something for everyone.

Viewers at photo l.a.

As I toured the booths, conversations were engaged and personable and a sense of comradery filled the airplane hanger’s 35,000 square foot event space. Many in attendance were equipped with their own cameras with which they thoroughly documented the event, extending the photo frenzy far beyond the booth walls. Whether with film or on iPhones, it’s certain that the fashionable crowd left the fair with a plethora of snaps, stories and photos of their own making.

The best part about art fairs is the variety of work experienced in one excursion and stumbling upon artists both new and familiar. A newfound favorite of mine was Tyler Haughey whose photos exhibited by Sears-Peyton Gallery depicted vibrantly colored, yet eerily unpopulated motels. The cheery hues of the vacation spots were a stark contrast against the eerie absence of human presence within the composition.

Tyler Haughey’s work at Sears-Peyton Gallery

At FF-1051 Gallery, I enjoyed the work of Myles Hendrick, particularly one archival pigment print, “Rare Relief” which features a poetically unstaged still-life. Without the use of figures, the photo documents a good night—a dresser with an empty magnum of Dom Perignon and remnants of an In-N-Out burger. I also had the delight of talking to skater and photographer Chad Muska, whose passion for the practice of skateboarding and photo are in continual conversation, each informing the other in beautiful visual impact.

Myles Hendrick’s work at FF-1051 Gallery

 At Galerie XII, I loved Anja Niemi’s work investigating concepts of self. The fashionable and sleek execution of each photo depicted a well-manicured blonde woman staged in a scene in which she is seemingly joined by her identical twin– or perhaps another version of herself.

All in all, the opening was a sensory overload of images and interaction; luckily I returned the following day for a much-needed second pass through the fair. Amazed by how much there still was to see, it became apparent that one could attend every day of the exhibition and still find nuances on the last day—from up and coming work to art world elite, Photo LA did not disappoint.