Message From the Founder

It really started out of love! Yes, love in the purest sense, loving the art of photography and living it!

The second, and most important, reason came when I realized how lucky I am to actually be 'making it' in the world of photography and how painful it was to see other wonderful and very talented photographers getting all the doors literally shut in their faces! So, after years of living in every corner of this beautiful country (although, for the most part, in Boston, I realized how little we have in this town, when compared to other major cities, to promote and nurture this magnificent art form. What is available in Boston, especially to amateur photographers, is almost, well how shall I say: Non-existent!

I realized that many Shutterbugs, professionals and amateurs were very frustrated from the lack of attention to their work. I decided to emulate what Alfred Stieglitz did for the art of photography.

Stieglitz decided to fight for the recognition of photography as a creative art medium equal to painting. The best way to achieve this, he reasoned, was to become a photographic authority, which he believed could only be granted if he set the highest standards for his own prints and win all possible prizes and medals. His early work, both in Europe and in the United States, where he returned in 1890, reflects this approach, being characterized by constant innovation, which was, at the time, believed impossible to achieve. By 1910, Stieglitz' photos had won many important prizes. Realizing that his fame alone could not bring about the recognition of photography as art, Stieglitz decided that, eventually, the work of a group could be more effective than the work of an individual. He therefore created a new group, in 1902, called the 'Photo-Secession', a title adapted from the German Secessionist painters who, at the time, were also revolting against the traditional art world. Stieglitz gathered around him a group of talented American photographers, with whom he shared his ideals. In 1905, urged on by Edward Steichen, the Photo-Secession opened its own space for exhibitions, initially called Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession, in NY, but later known by its street number, the '291'. Stieglitz became so involved with his work in this gallery that he often signed his personal correspondence '291'. It was at this time that Stieglitz turned his immense energy and intelligence to the cause of modern art.

So it was around October 2004 that I joined the photography Meetup Group. I thought this was a great tool to meet other photographers. The very first meetings consisted of only the 2-3 people who would show up. But, I knew that it could be something bigger and better, and decided to take matters in my own hands by becoming the organizer. I used the tools given to me by the Meetup Group to achieve what we needed to have in Boston: a place for all photographers, pros and amateurs, to get together, to learn and to share. And that is exactly how 'Boston Photography Center' came to life!

The Boston Photography Center (BPC) is not just a place for people to have dinner, schmooze and then leave. On the contrary: it is a place that challenges the brain and adds to the creativity of each individual. A place for people to share their knowledge of photography, their passion for photography and a place for people from all walks of life to show their work without the fear of negative criticisms and censorship.

I WANT THIS FOUNDATION TO GIVE A VOICE TO ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Banafsheh Ehtemam