Last week I took two red-eye flights to spend four days reviewing portfolios at Photolucida in Portland, Oregon. The jet lag aside, the reviews were a great way to connect with colleagues, put faces with names, and see a lot of photography over the course of a few intense days. I reviewed portfolios both completed and in-progress from 48 photographers. In addition to the one-on-one reviews, Photolucida organized a portfolio walk, book fair, and other networking events which provided opportunities to meet photographers outside out scheduled review sessions. Here are a few portfolios that I enjoyed.

Hillary Atiyeh — In Hot Water

Deep within the Ancient Forests of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon thrives an intentional community of approximately 75 people that live amidst the largest proliferation of Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest. The members of the Breitenbush Community provide a healing retreat and conference center that promotes holistic health, spiritual growth, and facilitates the gathering of people.

In spite of being raised in New York City, I have lived in the mountains of Oregon for over 20 years and have always felt a strong connection with nature. Breitenbush Hot Springs was my home for four years over a decade ago. I have returned over the last several years to photograph the community members in the Hot Springs and Steam Sauna, free and uninhibited in their natural state of existence. I have favored using my Nikonos V underwater camera and B&W infrared film for this series. Finding inspiration in community and an inherent interconnection with nature I’ve immersed myself back into this environment. I allow intuition to guide me and seek an essence of humanity thriving in harmony with nature.

Martha Ketterer — Everyday Strangers

I meet stranger’s everyday, riding the elevator, at the café or on public transit, virtually anywhere. My intuition prompts me to ask, “May I take your portrait”? My newly made acquaintances aren’t experienced in front of the camera but together, we create a connection and experience private moments that lead to an intimate portrait of an Everyday Stranger.

Dotan Saguy — Venice Beach

In a western culture where societal norms have rendered in-person contact and spontaneous generosity scarce, Venice Beach is one of the last places where free spirited moments and random acts of kindness still occur frequently and between complete strangers. My project candidly documents these magical moments and the people who take part in them, from the buff Muscle Beach body builders to the frail intoxicated hippies living the bohemian lifestyle. Today, as Venice Beach comes under attack by accelerating gentrification and corporate appropriation of its cultural wealth I feel an urgency to document this endangered culture while it is still very much alive.

Adrienne DeFendi — Relinquish

These photographs document the home where my parents have resided for over forty years and explore their hermetic lives within.  

Through this project I have come to understand how my parents and I, gracefully and lovingly, are letting go of each other—relinquishing each other to the natural cycle of life.  Accepting this allow me to revere and record their now quiet and meditative lives.

To relinquish them is to remember them anew.