Best Photography Exhibitions to Watch Out in 2024
A number of photography exhibitions scheduled in 2024 have already taken place in the last couple of months. However, the bulk of photography conventions are yet to occur in different parts of the world.
In this write-up, we have incorporated some of the best and long-awaited photography exhibitions to take place in the running year. Most of these exhibitions happen once a year at a scheduled date and attract a massive audience globally.
18 Best Photography Exhibitions to Participate in 2024
Countless photography exhibitions, each focusing on different photography genres are slated to kick off from March to December 2024.
Below, we have listed 18 photography exhibitions priding to have world-class photographers and artists who will showcase their works in these exhibitions —
1. When Forms Come Alive
Place: Hayward Gallery
Date: 7 Feb– 6 May 2024
Entry Fee: £18 – £19, Free for Members & under-12s
The exhibition features some 21 artists, including Phyllida Barlow and Franz West, and highlights contemporary sculptures spanning over six decades. It is set to be a smashing exploration of sculpture that oozes and sprawls with a specific focus on movement and growth.
The work suggests physical sensations from flowing liquid energies to sagging and luminous collapse. In some pieces, objects seem to have redoubled while in others they thrive and fade.
The arts reflect gesture, motion, and dynamism at every corner with surreal structures inspired by real-world experience. One of the dazzling arts in the exhibition is Tara Donovan’s Untitled (Mylar), a massive collection of jointed spheres with otherworldly appearance in its scope.
2. Under the Surface
Place: Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury
Date: 2 March – 19 May 2024
Time: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Entry Fee: 50% off on entry, £9.35 – £4.68 Standard entry price
Under the Surface’ is a showcase of photographs by prominent Somerset-based photographer Matilda Temperley, portraying the devastating floods of 2013-14.
The exhibition will feature photographs from her sell-out publication ‘Under the Surface: Somerset Floods’, along with previously unpublished color photos captured during that winter.
On top of that, newly commissioned photographs will be on display, which will reflect on modifications to the Somerset landscape over the past decade supported by the Somerset Rivers Authority.
3. Shutterfest
Place: St. Louis, Missouri
Date: 2nd – 4th April 2024
Shutterfest is a photography convention that is a little different from most photography conferences. It focuses more on first-hand classes and interactive experiences, rather than conventional lecture-style presentations.
You can anticipate plenty of experiences where you will be the one pressing the shutter, instead of writing down notes. Similar to most other exhibitions, you can hope for industry leaders to help guide you through the entire process to let you refine your skills.
Shutterfest aims to make the convention highly shapeable to fulfill your needs, whether you’re a professional, newbie, or anything in between. If you wish to go on photo walks and show up in shooting classes, you can pass your entire 3 days doing it.
If you’re more eager in sharpening your business skills, you can spend your time appearing classes on business. Wanna network with vendors and ambassadors at your favorite brand? You will get that on the trade show floor.
Irrespective of what you anticipate getting out of the convention, Shutterfest will provide you moldable experience to help you get whatever you are pursuing.
4. Procuratie Vecchie 139/153
Place: Piazza S.Marco – Venice
Date: 1st March – 15th March 2024
Remember the appearance of lockdown during Covid-19? This convention brings the voices and memories of lockdown in Venice, Italy to life. 3 international artists, 2 environmental scientists, and the Institute for Research on the Lagoon System (CORILA) are the main force behind the exhibition.
Sophie Fauchier, Gaby Wagner, and Val Masferrer-Oliveira will make an artistic contribution to Re-Emerging through a collection of photographic works. The project is a true reflection of the post-pandemic period in Venice and the lagoon.
Giovanna Poggi Marchesi, the project’s creator, underscores the multidisciplinary nature of Re-Emerging, which aims to explore the connections between people’s isolation during the closure and the observation of nature.
The latter underwent significant alterations after the abrupt reduction in human pressure, and the project therefore aims to highlight facets of adaptation and resilience emerging from unusual situations.
5. Photo London
Place: Somerset House, London
Date: 16 – 19 May 2024
Photo London has a reputation for bringing the best-in-class international photography to the British capital every year. The conference presents the finest historic and vintage works while also highlighting fresh perspectives in photography.
It also aims to select the world’s leading photography dealers and galleries. Photo London 2024 will display 125 exhibitors from 56 cities globally, including Brighton, London, New York, Atlanta, Berlin, Paris, Mexico City, Tehran and Melbourne.
There will be exhibitions spotlighting the recent work by this year’s Master of Photography Martin Parr. Also, there will be a display of photographs by pioneering women photographers operating in Britain over the last 100 years, curated by the Centre for British Photography.
6. Capturing the Moment
Place: Tate Modern, London
Date: 13 June 2023 – 28 April 2024
Time: Monday to Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee: £20, concessions available
Photography has altered the course of painting entirely. This unique exhibition will spotlight the dynamic relationship between the two mediums through some of the most eminent artworks of recent times.
The explicit paintings of Pablo Picasso and Paula Rego and stunning photographs by Hiroshi Sugimoto and Jeff Wall, these two distinct mediums have shaped each other over time.
You will also find how artists have filled the gaps between painting and digital photography, creating new and exciting forms of art.
The artworks include Pauline Boty’s pop paintings, Andy Warhol’s silkscreen prints, the photorealist works of Gerhard Richter, and Andreas Gursky’s large-scale panoramic photographs.
7. Paul Michael Dolan: Thermal Properties
Place: The Photographer’s Gallery, London
Date: Mon 29 Jan 2024 – Sun 31 Mar 2024
Paul Dolan comes with Thermal Properties, a looping video that features 3D scans related to two renewable energy projects in South Tyneside, which use river water and a flooded mine to heat local homes.
Dolan worked with residents and retired coal miners and examined living spaces, personal items, life preservation gear, new energy infrastructure, etc.
In the video, CGI software simulates thermal imagery and melting, producing a fluid link among people, objects, and surroundings.
Paul Dolan is an artist and also a member of the Cultural Negotiation of Science group.His work entails the material effect of digital technologies on the environment and planetary resources via photography and CGI-making techniques and programming.
His works portray the facets of digital life that lie beyond human perception, including the hidden and unseen thermal and infrared images, safe data centers, the errors of image rendering processes, and the contradicting time spans of computation and geology.
8. By the Lake Workshop
Place: Bellagio, IT
Date: April 16-18
Wanna seize the essence of romance at the picturesque Lake Como in Italy?
By the Lake Workshop, hosted by the Aftershoot Ambassador power couple Vic and Lilly of Lilly Red will provide you with that view and vibe through their photography masterpieces.
Gear up to join masterclasses, pick up actionable steps, and experience hands-on photoshoots at the event.
9. Edward Burtynsky
Place: Saatchi Gallery, London
Date: 28 February – 6 April 2024
Flowers Gallery presents Edward Burtynsky – New Works. The solo exhibition syncs with Saatchi Gallery’s major 2024 retrospective, BURTYNSKY: EXTRACTION /ABSTRACTION, the biggest convention ever organized in Edward Burtynsky’s 40+ year career.
Edward Burtynsky– New Works offers a spectacular journey into the intersection of nature and industry, capturing the stellar beauty and the environmental outcomes of human industrial activities.
This exhibition assembles a selection of Burtynsky’s latest works, highlighting three geological themes: Coast Mountains in British Columbia, Canada; erosion in Türkiye; and the coal mines in Australia.
Burtynsky’s aerial lens snaps the pristine charm of the Coast Mountains of British Columbia while also focusing on the pressing issue of glacier retreat owing to global warming.
His photographs of Türkiye disclose the deep impact of decay on the terrain. His photos of the world’s largest coal port dominate the shores of Newcastle, reflecting the stark and expansive landscapes and the environmental effects of the global energy demand.
10. Photo Creators Conference
Place: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Date: May 6-9, 2024
It’s an opportunity to connect with fellow creators at the Photo Creators Conference in the mind-blowing setting of Tucson at a gorgeous working Dude Ranch.
This convention renders a unique educational and social experience where you’ll pick up how to refine your photography skills, delve into diverse topics from headshots to underwater photography, and rejoice in unrestricted shooting with agency models.
Vanessa Joy and Felix Kunze, Aftershoot Ambassadors, and photographers, are among the list of well-versed educators at the conference.
Get yourself in a collaborative atmosphere, restricted to 175 attendees, where you can choose from 8 small-group classes and explore the art of photography in a supportive atmosphere.
11. Tokyo International Art Fair
Place: Tokyo, Japan
Date: 29 – 30 November 2024
It’s the 7th edition of the fantastic fair mounted by Sakura Group. The event attracts 15,000+ visitors that are pro buyers, collectors, and investors over the 2-day convention in the heart of Roppongi.
Prominently known for Tokyo’s most affluent and high-end areas, featuring world-class art museums, Michelin-starred eateries, and scads of luxury shopping destinations.
12. ClickCon
Place: Michigan, USA
Date: July 30- Aug 2, 2024
ClickCon welcomes a positive and immersive 4-day experience for shutterbugs and creatives in Detroit.
This conference boasts 50 elegant Michigan locations and 40+ top-of-the-range speakers from across the globe. There will be Aftershoot and more speakers will be declared soon, so stay tuned for the lineup.
With themed workshops, excursions, and an animated trade show floor featuring the latest gear, ClickCon stands out as a perfect learning opportunity for photographers and videographers.
This is a golden opportunity for you to communicate and network with industry professionals, show up in themed shoots and build your portfolio.
13. La Retraite
Place: Burgundy, FR
Date: Oct 14-18, 2024
Kick off a transformative journey at La Retraite, hosted by super-talented shutterbugs and Aftershoot Ambassadors Gary and Kim Evans.
Let yourself have a touch of luxury and creativity with exclusive access to the entire Chateau de Varennes in the enthralling Burgundy, France (Enlisted as one of the top 10 wedding locations by CNN).
With a maximum of 20 attendees, you can enjoy individualized coaching, luxury styled shoots, and profound business portfolio reviews.
The location promises to be a remarkable photography retreat where you can feast on dining, offsite excursions, and make memorable connections.
14. Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes
Place: Wakefield, UK
Date: 23 Nov 2024 – 27 April 2025
Entry Fee: £13 / £11 / Free for members, Wakefield District dwellers and under 18s
‘Surrealism’ originated in 1924 and Forbidden Territories will mark 100 years of this phenomenon.
Surrealism continues to motivate artists operating today and has become one of the most influential artistic, intellectual, and literary movements of the 20th Century.
This event will let you explore through the terrains of surrealism over 100 years. It will let you fathom how surreal ideas can transform the landscape into a metaphor for the unconscious and extend means to express political concerns, gender constraints, and freedoms.
Trans-historical, thematic groupings of artwork will get together artists of Breton’s circle from the 1920s. Salvador Dalí, Man Ray, Eileen Agar, Lee Miller, and Max Ernst, are the noteworthy ones who will show their smashing works.
Other artists include surrealists like Leonora Carrington, Edith Rimmington, Marion Adnams, Conroy Maddox, and Desmond Morris. Contemporary ones operating within the legacy of surrealism embody Michael Dean, Helen Marten, and Portia Zvavahera.
15. Evolve Workshops
Place: Santa Barbara, USA
Date: April 21-23, 2024
The exhibition offers a great opportunity to enjoy the display of breathtaking photographs with well-crafted shoots.
These workshops give precedence to relevant connections and hand-pick speakers who put people first. No importance to hierarchy, only genuine connections and inspiring content get preference.
The top-of-the-line content captured through marvelous photography will blow you away. You will find yourself involved in epic parties, content shoots with industry leaders, and a decade-strong community that appreciates authentic connections.
Aftershoot Ambassadors Jamie Findlay, the host of this workshop, and Fer Juaristi are among the notable educators who will help you reconnect to your business’s foundation through mind-blowing art and photography display.
16. Saul Leiter: An Unfinished World
Place: MK Gallery, UK
Date: 17 February – 2 June 2024 (10 AM – 5 PM)
Saul Leiter is an American photographer. He is celebrated for his evocative images of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s. His work will be shown at MK Gallery.
Leiter took shots daily for sixty years. He watched everyday life and found beauty on the streets of the East Village.
Leiter left a huge library of 15,000 black and white prints and at least 40,000 color slides. He also left a similar number of black and white negatives and over 4000 paintings. Only a few people knew about these paintings.
After emerging from darkness, experts have since rediscovered his work. They have reassessed it for its innovative role in developing color photography.
Saul Leiter: An Unfinished World at MK Gallery is the largest show of Leiter’s work in the UK. It has 171 photographs and 40+ of Leiter’s little-known paintings.
Anne Morin curates the exhibition at MK Gallery, and the Rencontres d’Arles and DiChroma Photography co-produce it.
17. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59
Place: Natural History Museum, London
Date: 13 October 2023 – 30 June 2024 (Monday – Sunday, 10 AM – 5:50 PM)
Entry Fee: From £15
Wildlife photography reflects the lives and habitats of different wild animals. In this exhibition, you will get to explore the planet’s habitats. They are in sprawling cities and the deep polar seas. You will explore them through wildlife photos.
You can observe the creatures that bank on these places and meet face to face with species at risk of extinction as well as those we’ve brought back from the brink. Take a look at first-hand human activities, both good and vile, that are shaping the natural world we rely on.
The videos have expert insights and striking photography. They will inspire awe at nature’s beauty and diversity. Besides, they will renew your drive to protect the wildlife.
Continue your journey online. Find the planet-friendly steps you can take to protect the places and species you encounter.
18. The Graceful Gathering
Place: North California, USA
Date: April 15 – 18, 2024
The Graceful Gathering as the name reflects is an immersive and intensive workshop-style convention designed for graceful wedding photographers.
Only 24 people will attend. You’ll get one-to-one time and learn from qualified educators like Aftershoot Ambassador Petronella Lugemwa. They will cover topics like serving the luxury market, financial empowerment, and building business resilience.
The exhibition will offer all-inclusive lodging, meals, and drinks along with portfolio reviews, headshots, and follow-up coaching sessions.
Ready to Participate?
Now that you know the all-important photography exhibitions that will take place in the running and upcoming months of 2024. The exhibition venues, as mentioned above spread across various countries, depending on the history, genre, artists, and other key factors.
Obviously, you won’t take part in all the exhibitions listed here as some of them clash with one another. All you should do is find your passion. Then, figure out your needs and understand your access. Finally, book your ticket in no time.
