The LSI Conference and Annual Meeting is set for October 24-26! We will be traveling to Los Angeles in sunny California for our annual gathering.

Program highlights and speaker bios are listed below the registration form.

Our conference hotel is a short walking distance from Leica Store Los Angeles in Beverly Hills and is close to Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, the Motion Picture and Academy Museum and more. Sunset Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame are both less than 15 minutes away by car. Universal Studios Hollywood and the Getty Center are within half an hour's drive.

Join the LA group in our WhatsApp Community, See you in Sunny California!!

Register Below!

Program

Program sessions and times are subject to change.

All conference meetings will be held in the Beverly Ballroom

Oct. 23, Wednesday - Attendee Arrivals

6:00-7:00 PM       Informal Meet and Greet at Leica Store L.A.

8783 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048 - (424) 777-0341

Dinner on your own.

Oct. 24 Thursday - Conference Day 1

7:30-09:00         Registration

8:00-09:00         Leica-on-Loan. 

There will be a significant selection of Leica cameras and lenses available to try overnight. Please bring your own memory card and/or film. Credit Card & ID Required.

8:00 - 9:00          Continental Breakfast - for meeting registrants only

9:00-09:30         Opening Remarks with LSI President David Knoble

09:30-10:00       Keynote Speaker: Mike Giannattasio, Leica US 

10:00-11:00       Capturing Venice Beach with Leica with Dotan Saguy

Join us for an inspiring session as we delve into the making of three captivating photo books that chronicle the essence of Venice Beach. We'll explore why the use of the Leica Monochrom was central to Saguy’s timeless, heartfelt depiction of this iconic area. Discover the stories, techniques, and personal insights that shaped these stunning visual narratives.

11:00-11:15       Break

11:15-12:15       A Symphony of Light and Shadow with Katarina Benzova

Katarina Benzov is passionate about discussing her work as a documentary and music photographer, specializing in shooting in B&W. She also loves sharing her experiences working with the M11 Monochrom and discussing how photographers can use their skills to make a positive impact on the world. Print signing after session. 

12:15-1:30         Lunch on Your Own

1:30 - 2:20          Session - Rotan Switch with Lisa McCord 

Rotan Switch documents life on my grandparents’ cotton farm in the Arkansas Delta community of Rotan, which takes its name from the community’s central landmark – the railroad switch where farmers loaded their cotton bales onto trains headed out of the Delta. Although it has not been used in years, it remains a potent symbol of the complex intersections of industry and agriculture, of racism and injustice. Book signing after session.

2:45 - 6:00 PM    Excursion to Venice Beach – (meet in hotel lobby)

Tucked between Santa Monica and Marina del Rey on Los Angeles’ sprawling Pacific Ocean coastline, Venice Beach is one of Southern California’s most multifaceted beach destinations. Here, you’ll find not only a beautiful, wide stretch of shoreline, but also pop culture icons like the Venice Beach Boardwalk and Muscle Beach. Its the perfect place for photo ops! Tom Smith of Leica Akademie will provide a suggested list of “photo assignments” to have fun with. Please see timeline below.

• 2:45 departure time for trip to Venice Beach. Bus transportation provided. Meet in hotel lobby.

  • Drop off address is Venice Beach Bus Drop-off 100 Venice Way, Venice, Los Angeles 90291 (near the Erwin Hotel).

• Optional - Dinner on your own at Venice Beach or just enjoy everything there is to see

• 6:00 PM departure to hotel

6:00                   Departure Time for Return to Hotel: Pick up is the same as the drop-off: Venice Beach Bus Drop-off 100 Venice Way, Venice, Los Angeles 90291 (near the Erwin Hotel).

7:00 Dinner on your own

Oct. 25, Friday - Day 2

08:00-09:00      Leica-on-Loan Reception area.

8:00 - 9:00        Continental Breakfast - for meeting registrants only

09:00-09:30      Stefan Daniel AG / Announcements

 9:30-10:30        History in the Viewfinder with David Butow

Photojournalist David Butow describes his intent to bring viewers of his pictures into the scene, showing the emotion and dynamics as events unfold. Presenting work spanning four decades, he discusses gear choices, the impact of digital photography, logistics, as well as aesthetic decisions that comprise his style. 

10:30-10:45       BREAK

10:45-11:45       Leica M. A Journey through the first 70 Years with Stefan Daniel

Stefan will take you through seven decades of development of the Leica M-System. From the first ideas to the M3, what SLR Cameras have to do with it, the role of Ernst Leitz Canada, why the M6 was born as it is today and how the M went Digital.

12:00 -1:00        Lunch on your own

1:00-2:00            Hollywood Euphoria on Set with Phil Caruso

In this conversation, award-winning photographer Phil Caruso takes us behind-the-scenes of his career shooting stills on-set of some of the greatest films of all time — movies including A Bronx Tale, Cape Fear, Casino, and Forrest Gump, and TV series “White House Plumbers.”  Phil will also share his perspectives on the art of on-set photography, and shooting with both analog and digital technologies. This conversation will include an exclusive slideshow and audience Q&A.

2:00 -3:00        The Self-Portrait - A Personal Project with Richard Rejino & Kirsten Vignes

Self-portraits have been part of history for centuries. From Rembrandt and Van Gogh to Cindy Sherman and Andy Warhol, self-portraiture has been motivated by self-healing, self-expression, validation, documentation and more. In this session, Richard and Kirsten will explore the multi-layered benefits and discoveries of a self-portrait project. 

Topics will include the technical considerations of self-portraiture and the creative benefits of committing to disciplined photographic practice. Presenters will share their personal reflections and realizations of being the focus of their own lens.

3:00-3:30            BREAK

3:30-6:00            Activities to Do On Your Own (transportation not provided)

• Griffith Observatory Excursion - (Griffith Observatory - Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos!) 9 miles from hotel. No cost to walk around the grounds and enter the building. The Planetarium show is $8-$10 - no group or special rates. No advance purchase. Address: 2800 E Observatory Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, Phone: (213) 473-0800 Hours are Weekdays 12-10 PM | Weekends 10 AM - 10PM.

• Academy of Motion Pictures - (https://www.academymuseum.org/en/visit) 1.8 miles from hotel. Allow 2 hours. Museum open 10 - 6. General tickets $25/$19 senior/free under 17.: Address: 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036-3604 | (323) 930-3000

• Peterson Automotive Museum  - 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Open Daily, Hours 10-5 PM; Normal rates are $21/$19 for seniors; LSI Price 19/17 pricing. 30-60 minutes.  Go to petersen.org/tickets or call 323-930-2277. Tour 323-964-6348 for Guided Tours. (90 minutes) Contact: Marian Hong; 323-964-6322.

• Street Photography Assignment - walking distance from hotel - instructions to be provided at the meeting.

6:00       Evening Event at Leica Store LA Gallery - Special Guest Speaker

7:30       Dinner on Your Own

Oct. 26, Saturday - Day 3

08:00-09:00      Return of all Leica on Loan equipment

8:00 - 9:00         Continental Breakfast - for meeting registrants only

9:00-09:30         LSI General Business Meeting and Election Results               

9:30-10:30         Frame by Frame: Navigating the Creative Journey of Balancing Art and Commerce in Commercial Photography with Kwaku Alston

Come along on a journey through my image-making career spanning over 30 years. This lecture delves into the world of iconic images, videos, and stories capturing celebrity, politics, and culture. I’ll also share imagery from my personal work that fuels the artistic spirit and inspires my work in the commercial sphere. Together we'll explore the challenges of staying current, managing the unpredictable nature of the industry, and nurturing creativity through it all.

10:30-10:45       Break

10:45-11:45       Kitchen Verite with Jim Sullivan

"Kitchen Verite” is a long term project by Leica photographer Jim Sullivan. The images were made over a nine year period using 35mm black and white film. The premise of the work is to document life in and around the professional kitchen. Volume 01 very limited edition book will be available September 12, 2024.

11:45-12:45       Finding Serendipity with Craig Semetko

Join Craig as he offers tips on how to bring more luck into your photography and your life. He will discuss the serendipity involved in capturing some of his favorite photographs from his first two books and from his upcoming “UNPOSED AMERICA.” He’ll also touch on his life changing health issue and how it’s affected his perspective.

12:45-1:45         Lunch On Your Own

2:00 - 3:00          The Music of Monochrom with Mathieu Bitton

Discover the story of two-time Grammy winner Mathieu Bitton’s progression from a thirteen-year-old lover of music and photography to a diverse career in art direction, design, production, and photography. He will highlight the role monochrom images and Leica Cameras have played in the development of his signature style and where he finds inspiration for his projects. Mathieu will showcase his iconic images in a series of “backstage moments” from his work with comedians, actors, and musicians, from Dave Chappelle to Lenny Kravitz, as well as a sneak peek of work from his forthcoming book, “Paris Blues.”

3:00-3:45            BREAK/Photo Editing/Upload Image of Choice

Link provided during session.

3:45 - 5:00          Photo Review with Paris Chong, Brad Husick, David Knoble

Join us for one of the most popular sessions every year: a review of the photos taken as part of photo assignments during the LA conference!

7:00       RECEPTION/BANQUET

Closing festivities include: 2024 LSI Photography Grant Recipient announcement and other award presentations

Speakers

Stefan Daniel is Vice President of Photo and Technology at Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar Germany. With four decades of experience at Leica, Stefan has played a pivotal role in the development and innovation of the company’s iconic products. Starting his career as a precision mechanics apprentice, he quickly rose through the ranks due to his deep understanding of precision engineering and passion for photography. Stefan is known for his dedication to preserving Leica's heritage while driving technological advancements, ensuring the brand remains unique in the camera industry.

Mike Giannattasio, President of Leica Camera North America

In his role as President of Leica Camera North America, Mike leads this iconic brand’s growth across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a career spanning more than two decades in luxury goods and consumer products, Giannattasio is known for his innovative leadership and strategic vision. Under his leadership at Leica, the brand has strengthened its position at the intersection of photography, art, and craftsmanship, fostering collaborations with leading artists, photographers, and innovators.

Prior to joining Leica, he held key executive roles at Richmont and LVMH, where he honed his expertise in building and transforming luxury brands. He focused on fostering strong relationships with retail and wholesale customer and the value of strategic brand awareness and market presence, allowing him to position products effectively at the forefront of the industry.

One key lesson Mike carries with him is the importance of engagement in leadership. By creating an environment that encourages everyone to strive for the best, he’s seen direct correlations to revenue gains. He brought this approach to Leica, where he continues to push boundaries. He is passionate about expanding Leica's legacy while adapting to the always evolving creative landscape. His is committed to preserving the brand’s heritage and inspiring others to engage with the art of photography.

Kwaku Alston has photographed some of the most famous faces of our time—from Oscar and Grammy winners to Barack Obama and the First Family. His portraits have a fresh, unaffected feel, and yet they celebrate the extraordinariness of his subjects, striking a balance between contemporary documentary photography and classic celebrity portraiture.

After graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Kwaku launched his career in New York City and began shooting for major magazines and ad agencies while in his early 20s. Today he bases himself out of both New York and Los Angeles and his work has appeared on everything from movie posters to the covers of best selling books to advertising spreads and spots for international brands. 

Kwaku has also partnered with a variety of charities and nonprofits, including the DesignACure Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, the Black AIDS Institute, the Smiley Faces Foundation, and Project Angelfood. Giving both his work and his time, he traveled to Ethiopia to film and photograph a “shoe drop” by TOMS Shoes, which donates footwear to children in need worldwide. 

Kwaku’s world travels continue to inform his work and remind him that curiosity, encouragement and sincerity are universal languages.

Katarina Benzova is an award-winning photographer, videographer and art director. Originally from Slovakia, she is now based in Los Angeles and works around the globe. Katarina began her professional career in photography as the tour photographer for Guns N’ Roses in 2010. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after rock photographers in the world, working with legendary musicians such as AC/DC, Aerosmith, KISS, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Anthony Kiedis, Courtney Love, and many others.

She was recently named Leica’s newest Ambassador and has presented her work in numerous exhibitions worldwide, including at the Cannes Film Festival, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Photography, FOCUS Art Fair in NYC, and others. Her fine art prints are available through the Morrison Hotel Gallery and The Rock Photography Museum.

In 2017, Katarina established her own foundation, MISSION 11, which produces photographic campaigns and services for charitable organizations, including Animals Asia, Janie’s Fund, The Wolf Conservation Center, and DoVE Project. These campaigns have featured star talent from Jason Momoa and Axl Rose to Moby, Steven Tyler, and Steve O, among many others.

Her work can be seen in ads for Maserati, Gibson Guitars, Fender, Monster Energy, Leica Camera, Live Nation, and Hard Rock Hotels, as well as in prominent publications such as LIFE Magazine, Rolling Stone, Vogue, and Billboard.

Paris-born artist Mathieu Bitton is a prolific photographer, designer, art director, and producer. He has photographed some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Quincy Jones, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Dave Chappelle, Lady Gaga, Mel Brooks, Sidney Poitier, Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, Penelope Cruz, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Seinfeld, Harry Belafonte, Jim Carrey, John Mayer, Morgan Freeman, David Letterman and Chris Rock. He has also designed and art directed an extensive catalog of albums, posters, books, and promotional materials for an illustrious range of films, musicians, and entertainers. When not creating commissioned works, Mathieu finds inspiration shooting candid portraits, stolen moments, and spontaneous street scenes. A common thread, whatever the medium, is capturing the truth of a subject and a moment. Among Mathieu’s numerous achievements are several Grammy nominations — including multiple wins — being awarded the medal of Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters, bestowed by the French Government, and receiving the Seal of the President of the United States from the White House for Paris Blues in 2024.

Mathieu’s successful exhibitions have included Travelogue (Los Angeles, 2013), Ascension (Vienna, 2015 and Sofia, 2016), Darker Than Blue (Los Angeles, 2016; Boston, Miami, 2017; Frankfurt, Wetzlar, 2018), and most recently Paris Blues (Los Angeles, New York, 2024), the inspiration and companion to this book. Mathieu has been honored to serve as an ambassador for Leica Cameras and he has partnered with and participated in several of their ad campaigns and events.

David Butow is a freelance photojournalist whose pictures have appeared in National Geographic, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, on the covers of TIME and Newsweek, and in many books and magazines worldwide. He began working professionally in the 1980s and has traveled to over two dozen countries to photograph social issues and news events such as the Los Angeles riots in 1992, the Palestinian/Israeli Intifada in 2000, the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the Asian tsunami of 2004, and the Hong Kong democracy protests of 2019. His work on U.S. politics beginning in 2016 and culminating at the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol resulted in the monograph "BRINK", published by Punctum Press of Rome. 

He has won awards from World Press Photo, Pictures of the Year International, The White House News Photographers Association, and others and was featured in TIME magazine’s Top Ten Photographs of 2018 and 2022. He has been a guest lecturer at Stanford University and the Rochester Institute of Technology, and his photographs have been exhibited at various venues including the United Nations Headquarters, the Asia Society in New York, and at Visa Pour L'image in Perpignan, France. 

Phillip Caruso Phil’s introduction to photography and film was at the age of 8 when he became the projectionist to his family’s screening room of 16mm films. His father worked as a cameraman, writer, and producer of documentaries, then features in the 1950s. He had an inventory of motion picture and still photographic equipment that Phil discovered. Phil first began use a 16mm camera at age 10 followed with a still camera, a Leica M3.

Phil’s film production experience began with the formation of his own production company Cineco Productions in New Orleans in 1969.   In 1983, he was accepted into IATSE Local 666 in Chicago as a still photographer to begin union employment. He continued to work and relocate geographically to obtain cards from camera locals in Los Angeles and New York.

He began work for Ron Howard at the time he formed Imagine Entertainment for the movie Parenthood. While working on Backdraft, he was asked to become the on-call photographer to Robert DeNiro. Bob introduced him to Martin Scorsese on the filming of Cape Fear and continued to work on over 20 movies total for both Bob and Marty.

Phil’s most recent work was on Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis which was the second time Francis and Phil worked together. 

Lisa McCord is a fine art and documentary photographer from the Arkansas Delta, who lives and works in Los Angeles and Arkansas. Focusing on her experiences on her family’s cotton farm, her creative practice explores concepts of storytelling, memory, and the passage of time.

She has exhibited her work in galleries and museums, including Leica Gallery LA, Annenberg Space for Photography, Building Bridges Art Exchange, and Bruce Lurie Gallery. McCord’s work has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Memphis Cotton Museum, Fabrik Projects, Gallery 825, Slow Exposures, and Leica Gallery. Internationally, she has exhibited at the Museum of Nature of Cantabria in Spain, MIA Photo Fair in Milan, and Alta Vista in Paris. McCord’s work is in the permanent collections of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Her work has been featured in numerous publications including AAP Magazine, Black & White Photography (UK edition), Float Magazine, and Feature Shoot.

Dotan Saguy Dotan was born in a small Israeli kibbutz, grew-up in a diverse working class Parisian suburb and emigrated to the United States at the age of 25. In 2015 Dotan decided to leave his successful high-tech carrier to focus on his lifelong passion for photography. He then attended the prestigious Eddie Adams Workshop, Missouri Photo Workshop, studied photojournalism at Santa Monica College, and quickly garnered awards and recognition in the field. Dotan's photographs have been published by National Geographic, The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many others. He has been leading street photography and documentary workshops for the Leica Akademie, Momenta Workshops, and has started Storyteller Workshops in partnership with Gail Fisher, a distinguished photographer and editor from National Geographic and the LA Times. ​To date Dotan has published three monographs with the famed German publisher Kehrer Verlag: “Venice Beach, the Last Days of a Bohemian Paradise” (2018), "Nowhere to Go but Everywhere" (2020) and "DOGTOWN, the Pups of Venice Beach and their Humans" (2024). Dotan lives in West Los Angeles with his wife, Abigail and their dog, Beau.

Richard Rejino is the Executive Director of the Leica Society International. He is the author of What Music Means to Me, published by Hal Leonard Corporation. His writing and photography has been published in Viewfinder, Leica NA Blog, Music Inc., American Music Teacher, The Piano Teacher, and other publications. He is currently the Executive Editor for Pony Express(ions), SMU’s Graduate of Liberal Studies literary online journal. His photography has been featured at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California, and he is the 2015 winner of the LSI Annual Photo Contest. Next to being with his wife, Mona, and family, Maggie, Adam and Jess, Richard’s favorite thing to do is spending time exploring possibilities in music, writing, photography - and cooking.

Craig Semetko was born and raised near Detroit, Michigan, Semetko became a professional comedy writer and performer after college and years later discovered photography as another means of storytelling.

Craig was one of 10 photographers chosen by Leica Camera to be a part of its “10×10” exhibition celebrating 100 years of Leica photography. He spent three months in the fall of 2013 traveling throughout India for the project and the resulting work was exhibited at the grand opening of the new Leica headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, in 2014. The work was the foundation for his book, INDIA UNPOSED, which won the Printing Industries of America's Benny Award for Best in Category/Best Art Book 2015.

In his foreword for Semetko's first book, “UNPOSED,” Magnum Photos photographer Elliott Erwitt wrote of Craig…"In my book, he is the essential photographer. That is, the one who sees what others could not have seen.”

Semetko has completed work on his forthcoming book “UNPOSED AMERICA” and it’s expected to be released in 2025. His latest project is figuring out how to stay alive after a double lung transplant.

Jim Sullivan is a photographer/director based in Southern California. He is a graduate of The Art Institute of California with a degree in Culinary Arts. He is a self taught photographer. He is a Leica photographer and a Leica Akademie Instructor, as well as a Brand Ambassador for Hobolite.

He has photographed and produced several cookbook. His newest photography book "Kitchen Verite" is SOLD OUT!

When not on location he can be found at home cooking and spending time with his family and their little French Bulldog "Mochi"

Kirsten Vignes has been with Leica Store Miami since 2012 and is the resident graphic designer and marketing creative. She works remotely and lives in Minneapolis, MN with her cat and husband. Kirsten is passionate about photography and design, which she studied at Rochester Institute of Technology. When she's not off climbing a mountain somewhere, you can find her volunteering with The International Leica Society and putting together their quarterly photography journal Viewfinder. She loves traveling to far off places, paddling and biking around the lakes in Minnesota, movies with mythical creatures, and, of course, coffee. Read some of Kirsten’s articles here.

Applications are now closed - we have reached our limit of 60 entries.

The Leica Society International is proud to announce its 8th Annual Photography Grant. The application period begins on July 24 and ends on September 10 (or sooner if the limit of 60 is reached first). The LSI Grant was established in 2017 to provide financial support for deserving photographers who are in the process of creating or completing a personal photographic project.

Grant Amount: The recipient will receive a grant in the amount of $7500. The grant award will also include a new Leica M11 camera and lens courtesy of Leica Camera US. The recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes in their local jurisdiction.

Gallery Exhibit: In addition to the grant, the recipient will also have the honor of showing their work in an exhibition at the Leica Gallery in Vienna, Austria. The opening premier of the exhibit will be held during the LSI Spring Shoot in Vienna in May, 2024.

Grant Theme: Through the Lens of Hope:  LSI invites you to submit an in-progress, personal project demonstrating the hope that lies within us as individuals and in the difficulties that challenge the human spirit. We are looking for projects/stories whose images express our innate ability to achieve greatness and positivity, determination and courage, and success and victory; the kinds of stories whose arc have the potential to inspire fellow human beings to act, to celebrate achievement, and to uplift all people.

The number of applications will be limited to sixty (60). All applications have a non-refundable fee of $35 USD. If an application does not follow the theme or adhere to the application requirements, it will be rejected. This is a global program, where allowed by law. The application period will begin on July 24 and end on September 10 or when the limit of 60 is reached, whichever comes first.

Read below the link for rules and application procedures - Applications are now closed - we have reached our limit of 60 entries.

SUMMARY OF APPLICATION RULES

• The LSI Photography Grant is open to photographers who are at least 18 years old on or before July 31, 2024.

• Membership in LSI is not required.

• Use of a Leica camera is not required.

• Images must be the work and property of the photographer. Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer.

• The photographic project may be new or in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.

• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Grant.

• Past recipients of the grant and Officers and Directors of LHSA are not eligible to enter.

• LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.

• LSI reserves the right to not award a grant if in the sole judgment of the jury there is no submission warranting a grant.

• Deadline: Applications must be submitted no later than September 10, 2024, 11:59 PM CST or before the limit of 60 applications is reached.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Payment of Application Fee: $35.00 USD

Artist bio/Statement

1. Applicant’s Name · address · phone · email

2. Project Title

3. Project Description: Write a brief summary of your project. Also, along with your Project Description, please ensure that you have answered the following questions specifically:

   1. What inspired you to create this project and why do you believe you are the person qualified to do it?

   2. How will you accomplish and grow your current project?

   3. Why do you believe your project is important and how will viewers benefit from it?

4. Grant funds budget: A budget detailing expenses you expect to incur during the completion of the project.

5. Any applicable website/social media links

Portfolio Requirements

1. Applications must include a portfolio of 10 images that illustrate the project

2. Each image file name must include the Photographer’s name, title, and sequence number. (i.e.: smith[title]01)

SELECTION PROCESS

• Ten to fifteen applications will be selected by an LSI Preliminary Judging Panel to be sent to our jury of distinguished photographers for the Finalist Phase. Finalist jurors include Craig Semetko, Maggie Steber, Sara Terry, and Peter Turnley. This list may change. All decisions of the selection panel or the judges will be final.

• LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.

• LSI reserves the right not to award a grant if in the sole judgment of the jury there is no submission warranting a grant.

• The grant winner will be announced at the LSI Annual Meeting & Conference in Los Angeles, Oct 24-26, 2024.

• The recipient will be featured in LSI’s prestigious quarterly journal, Viewfinder, and may be considered for an exhibition at a Leica Store or Gallery.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD, DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS & DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION

• Grant recipient(s) shall be selected and notified by e-mail or telephone before the 2024 Annual Meeting.

• The recipient will be invited to attend the LSI annual meeting and make a short presentation in person or by recording.

• Grant funds will be disbursed in two portions. $6500 up-front before project completion. The remaining $1000 will be disbursed upon completion of the project and upon receipt of a Project Report/ photo essay in digital form for the LSI website.

• Grant recipients are expected to provide a brief follow-up report/blog post/photo essay upon completion of the project that describes how the project progressed and provides a detailed explanation of how funds were used.

• Final Project reports must be submitted within a year of the award disbursement unless extended by LSI.

COPYRIGHT & USE OF IMAGES

The grant recipient retains all copyright and ownership of images submitted and resulting from the project. By accepting the grant, the award winner agrees to allow Leica Society International to feature the final project on its website and quarterly journal, online, or otherwise to promote LHSA, the project, and the grant.

QUESTIONS

Contact Executive Director Richard Rejino at this email address: info@leicasocietyinternational.org

LSI is excited to have its second annual European Spring Shoot in Porto, Portugal, from May 16-18, with an optional add-on day on Sunday, May 19th. Read below for details!

Porto is world-famous for its port wine, and also its azulejos and beautiful historic centre, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. All throughout the city, you'll notice intricate painted tiles (azulejos) used to decorate churches, train stations, and other buildings. Porto is a photographer’s dream!

See below for a complete program

Add-On Duoro Wine Valley Tour

As an additional option, you can sign up for a destination port wine tour and tasting on Sunday, May 19. We will be vising the Quinta do Bomfim Vinyards where you will enjoy:

• Coach bus transport through the beautiful Duomo Valley (1.5 hours each way), Port Wine tasting, Photography tour of the vineyards , Wine cellars access, Delicious lunch

Register Today! (Hotel information and registration link will be emailed to you upon registration)

Program

Schedule and times are subject to change. All meeting sessions will take place at the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis, a 10-15 minute walk from the hotels.

Eurostars Aliados to National Museum Soares dos Reis - Google Maps

Eurostars Porto Centro to National Museum Soares dos Reis - Google Maps

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Arrival day for Participants

19:00 Meet and Greet at Leica Store Porto (light refreshments/snacks served)

The Leica Store Porto is directly across the street from the Porto Centro Hotel:  Leica Store & Gallery Porto, R. de Sá da Bandeira 48, 4000-427 Porto, Portugal.

Thursday, May 16, 2024

9:00 -9:10 AM Welcome - William Fagan, LSI VP & Richard Rejino LSI Executive Director

9:10-10:00 Introduction of Attendees

Attendees share a little about themselves with other LSI Members. A great way to break the ice and start the morning.

10:00-11:00 Pedro Oliveira – Production Manager Leica SA

Product Manager, Pedro Oliveira will be discussing Leica Portugal, the past, the present and the future. He will share some of the history of the last 50 years that Leica as been in Portugal with a factory: what they do today, and what is planned for the future.

11:00 – 12:00 Lunch/Snacks Provided at the Museum

Since we will be leaving directly from the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis to the Leica Factory for the tour, a light lunch will be provided for you.

12:00 -16:00 Leica Factory Tour - Pick up at the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis

The Leica factory tour is a sight to be seen. Buses will pick us up at Museum Nacional Soares dos Reis and take you to the Leica Factory for a tour of the facilities. Buses will drop off at the Leica Store Porto.

18:00 Dinner on your own

Friday, May 17, 2024

8:45-9:00 Announcements

9:00 – 10:00 Paradise Lost with Adriana Loureiro-Fernandez

How a personal photographic journal became a document for Venezuela’s collapse. In this session, Adriana will discuss the creative process behind an ongoing personal project that marks its 10th year in 2024. How a personal project that initially helped her navigate the complicated realities of growing up in social decay evolved into a career as a photojournalist. Paradise Lost serves as an example of how personal and editorial work can intertwine.

10 – 10:15 Break

10:15 - 11:15 A Modern Approach to Leica Collection and Documentation with Augusto Liger

This session will cover the following topics: new tools for classic view, 100 years History viewed through a rangefinder, Cameras with history, Top-down approach to documentation, The rabbit hole (s), Exceptions: a source for nice findings, Where all of the above don't apply: The Mur-Leica collection.

11:15- 12:00 The Photography of Rui Caria

Rui Caria chose Leica's M system to produce all his photographic work and, as he explains in this talk, this was the best choice he has made in his professional life, not only because of the consistency of the visual signature he has created, but because the pleasure of photographing is part of the process. In recent years, the photojournalist has been working exclusively with the M system, both for long-term documentary work and for daily news stories, such as the war in Ukraine or the migratory movements of refugees in the Central Mediterranean, proving that there are no limitations in equipment.

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch on Your Own

13:30 – 17:30 Photo Guides & Photo Walk

Our four guides will lead you on a beautiful walk in and around downtown Porto. One guide will be dedicated to Leica Film Shooters only!

18:30 Leica Gallery Opening/Reception - Leica Store Porto

A special evening featuring the work of Adriana Loureiro-Fernandez, 2023 LSI Women in Photography Recipient, Ingmar Nolting, 2023 LSI Photo Grant Recipient, and Adra Pallon, LSI Photo Grant Runner-Up. Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Leica Gallery Director, will be with us the present our artists.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

8:45-9:00 Morning Announcements

9:00-10:15 Printing Your Images with Marco Rocha

Join Marco Rocha as he discusses the steps to printing your images: Image Capture, Printing techniques, Papers and inks, Color processing, Image processing, Soft Proofs & Printing

10:15-10:45 Break

10:45 – 12:00 Panel Discussion with Adriana Loureiro, Ingmar Nolting, Adra Pallon with Karin Rehn-Kaufmann

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann will lead a discussion with our panel of distinguished photographers whose work is featured at the opening of the Leica Gallery Exhibit in the Leica Store Porto. This lively discussion will include a variety of subjects from the state of photojournalism, projects of our panelists and their process, and more.

12:00 – 14:30 Lunch (on your own) & Photo Walk

14:30 - 15:30 Selecting/Editing Your Images 

15:30 – 16:30 Sharing of Images with Commentary with William Fagan, Wilbur Norman, & Jono Slack

19:00 Banquet (must be pre-registered)

O Comercial Restaurant: Rua Ferreira Borges - Palácio da Bolsa 4050-253 Portot. +351 918 838 649, in the beautiful Palacio de Bolsa at 7 PM/19:00. It is approximately an 8-10 minute walk from the Leica Store Porto.

Sunday, May 19, 2024 Optional Add-On Event

9:00 – 18:00 Wine Tour $165 (USD) - must sign up in advance. Pick up and drop-off will be at the Leica Store Porto.
Join us for a memorable tour through the Douro Wine Valley and a visit to the renowned Quinta do Bomfim where you will enjoy a tour of the grounds, a port wine tasting, a delicious lunch and lots of opportunities to make amazing photos. Buses will pick you up in front of the Leica Store Porto for a beautiful day int the hils of Porto Portugal. Travel time is approximately 90 minutes each way. Click here to learn more about the Quinta do Bomfim! See photos below!

Presenters

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann - Art Director and Chief Representative Leica Galleries International (Austria), was born in Freiburg in 1957, and studied German philology and philosophy at the University of Freiburg after leaving school. She holds a diploma from the Eurythmische Hochschule in Stuttgart, where she was subsequently employed as a lecturer from 1982 to 1986. Furthermore, she graduated in Event Management from the Fernuniversität (Open University) Hagen and studied Mediation in Salzburg. After ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH, Salzburg, bought into Leica Camera AG in 2005, Rehn-Kaufmann’s long-standing passion for photography led to the opening of the Leica Gallery in Salzburg in 2008. She started with 5 Leica Galleries. Today she is the Art Director & Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International and holds management responsibility for the 25 Leica Galleries around the world. She has successfully curated a lot of prestigious exhibitions worldwide including, for instance, the Chinaflug project, an exhibition of spectacular aerial photography from the 1930s that was presented at the Chinese Embassy in Berlin, Photo Shanghai and other places. She was also responsible for the Leica Gallery exhibition concepts at photokina in 2012, 2014 and 2016, as well as the ‘10x10’ exhibition on the occasion of the 100year jubilee of Leica photography, and ‘50 best for Leica’ – an exclusive collection of the most famous photographs taken by the prominent US Magnum photographer Elliot Erwitt. Since 2019 she is on top responsible for the Ernst Leitz Photo museum in Wetzlar.

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann has been a member of the jury of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award since 2008, and has played a significant role in the organisation and further development of the prestigious photography competition. For the 40. Celebration of this Award in 2020, she very successfully changed the system from a free submission to a nominated system.

Pedro Oliviera - Leica – Aparelhos Ópticos de Precisão S.A., ​​Managing Director and Executive Board Member of LEICA in Portugal, a German multinational manufacturer of premium cameras and binoculars.

Chairman of the Advisory Board of AEBA. Mr. Oliviero has a degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Minho. He completed the Advanced Management program at Porto Business School, as well as OWP (Orchestrating Winning Performance) at IMD - Lausanne, Switzerland. He started his professional career at LEICA in 2000, where he held various positions of responsibility in the areas of production, planning, quality and environment.

After this, he moved into a national foundry company in Torres Vedras, where, as part of strategic management, he led the Quality and Environmental Management areas for about a year. He returned to LEICA in 2007, where he took responsibility for the entire Optics department, and after this, he spent a year in Germany at the Head Quarter of Leica Camera AG in Solms. He was a member of the team in charge of planning and building the new Factory, which was opened in 2013 and is now recognized as a benchmark in terms of organization, production processes and technology.

Mr. Oliviero leads the global operations in Portugal, defining and implementing the company's strategic development.

Rui Caria is a Portuguese photojournalist from Nazaré. He collaborates with various media outlets and communication agencies in Portugal and abroad. His photographic work is recognized by editors of the most diverse publications and his images have been published in several international photography books. Rui Caria is studying for a master’s degree in Communication and Media at ESECS and he is a speaker at events dedicated to visual communication, photography, and photojournalism. He has articles on photography and imagery published in the national and international press. With a body of photographic work exhibited throughout the country, Rui Caria has been a finalist and winner of several photography competitions, including the Sony World Photography Awards, National Awards. Rui Caria's work focuses on social issues, human rights, and the environment. He is particularly interested in documenting the lives of ordinary people and the challenges they face, making a contribution to the field of photojournalism, his work helps to raise awareness of important social issues

Adriana Loureiro Fernandez is a freelance photojournalist currently based in Caracas, Venezuela. Focusing on social conflict, her work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg Businessweek, the Los Angeles Times, Der Spiegel, among others including NGOs like Doctors Without Borders and Save The Children. She is currently a frequent contributor at The New York Times and was most recently awarded with the 2023 Leica Society Foundation’s Women in Photojournalism Grant. In 2017, she received Ian Parry's Highly Commended Award and in 2019 she received the Remi Ochlik Award at Visa Pour L’Image. Her work has been exhibited in several European and Latin American countries, as well as several cities in the United States, including multiple exhibitions at Photoville, in New York City. She has a Master's Degree in Journalism from Columbia University in the city of New York and is a 2018 alumni from the Eddie Adams Workshop, where she received the Nikon Award. She was a 2018 fellow with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, which funded a reporting project in North Africa to explore the migrant crisis. Aside from her assignment work for The New York Times in Latin America, she is currently developing a new chapter of her ongoing project, Paradise Lost, with the help of the Leica Society Foundation.

Augusto Liger, Madrid 1967, degree in Law has developed his whole career in IT, being the photography his passion. He is an avid Leica collector as well as a researcher of everything related to Leica history. Member of the LSI and The Leica Society, has published several articles in Viewfinder and in The Leica Society Magazine. Author of the book "The Mur-Leica Collection", speaker in several Leica Talk in the Leica Store Madrid, and specialist in several Leica international groups and forums.

Ingmar Björn Nolting lives and works as a freelance photographer in Leipzig, Germany. He holds a BA in photography at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts where he is currently enrolled in the Master Program. He is a founding member of the DOCKS collective. Ingmar's long-term projects have been awarded national and international prizes such as the Getty Reportage Grant, World Report Award and a VG Bildkunst Grant. His images have been published in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, TIME Magazine, Washington Post, Le Monde, ZEIT Magazine, Spiegel, ZEIT, GEO, Der Spiegel and Stern, among others. Ingmar held a scholarship of Stiftung Kunstfonds.

His domentary project, An Anthology of a Changing Climate, explores the challenges of Germany's ambitious goal to become a climate-neutral industrial nation by 2045. This places Germany among the international pioneers in the fight against the climate crisis. The path to climate neutrality is the “greatest modernisation and prosperity safeguarding project since World War II”, according to Dirk Messner, the President of the German Environment Agency. The phase-out of coal by 2038, seven to ten million electric cars on the roads by 2030 and a massive expansion of renewable energies were enshrined in law. Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, has already announced a second German economic miracle through the green transformation of the economy and climate-friendly innovations.

LSI is excited to be meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, a city known for its small-town roots and southern charm, its history, the Capitol of Country Music, and so much more. The New York Times recently included Nashville on its list of “52 Places to Go.” In addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville offers trendy shopping, live music venues and an up-and-coming food scene. It also boasts heritage architecture, fine art and a unique culture.

Our hotel is located in the heart of downtown, not far from the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, the historic Ryman Auditorium, and great restaurants. A short walk will take you to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and the Nashville Waterfront along the Cumberland River, and to lower Broadway (home of numerous honky-tonks), Printer’s Alley and more!

Registration has sold out! (If you wish to be on a waiting list, send an email to info@leicasocietyinternational.org.)

Scroll down to view the program.

Program

All meeting/sessions will take place in the Americana Room, located on the 21st floor of the hotel.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

3:00 PM Board Meeting (Folk Room)

7:00/7:30 ish Informal Meet and Greet (RTB Lounge located on 21st floor)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

08:00 Leica on Loan

Try out the newest Leica gear for 24 hours. Cameras and lenses galore.

8:00 Continental Breakfast

9:00 -9:15 AM President’s Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15-10:00 Introduction of Attendees

10:00 – 10:15 Break

10:15-11:00 Getting Your Money’s Worth - with Josh Lehrer

After nearly fifteen years and thousands of customers, Josh has seen firsthand just about every way Leica gear is used, abused, bought, traded, collected, and sold. If there’s anything he’s figured out in that time, it’s how to make the most of your Leica equipment, to ensure the best ownership experience and of course, to end up with photos you will be happy with. Join Josh for a presentation aimed at helping you “get your money’s worth” from your Leica kit.

11:00 – 12:00 Photojournalism with the Leica M with Becky Fluke and Ray Di Pietro

Join Becky and Ray in a fascinating disussion about the pros and cons, and everything in between, from politics, protests, portraits, and pusic photography using Leica M digital and film bodies with Leica lenses.

12:00 -12:30 Photo Assignment Theme Explanation - Tom Smith

12:30 – 2:00 Lunch on your own

2:00 PM Shooting Your Photo Assignment

5:00 PM Dinner on Your Own

7:00 - 9:00 Dusk Photo Walk - Tom Smith & Nathan Kellum (meet in hotel lobby)

Join Nathan and Tom as they take you on an evening adventure in downtown Nashville. They will take you on an odyssey through neon lights at dusk and sights of places where old and new country meet.

Friday, April 19, 2024

8:00 Leica on Loan

8:00 Continental Breakfast

8:45-9:00 Announcements

9:00 – 10:00 Life with Leica - How Leica has Invigorated My Love for Community and Photography - with Nathan Kellum

Join us as Nathan Kellum offers insight into the beginnings of his photography journey in France and subsequent transition into a career at Leica Camera USA. Nathan will share his perspective on how Leica and the creative community are uniquely intertwined, from his experience within the company’s retail team, Akademie team and now working with the North American press and media.

10 – 10:15 Break

10:15 - 11:15 Light Your Story: Discover the art of shaping your story with intentional light with Mynxii White and Kiran Karnani, VP Global Marketing Hobolite

Discover the art of continuous light in this interactive demonstration and presentation powered by Hobolite. Explore how Leica Photographer and Director Mynxii White shapes stories with intentional light to create content built to inspire. Learn the impact and art of light in this not to miss experience.

11:15- 12:00 Harmonizing Light and Sound: The Art of Music Photography in Available Light with Becky Fluke

Navigating the unique challenges of shooting in dynamic and often unpredictable concert environments, from low light conditions to fast-moving subjects. Whether you're shooting in intimate venues or sprawling festivals, adapting your approach to capture the atmosphere of each performance. Learn the importance of observing your surroundings and adapting to the available light conditions. From being aware of the direction and intensity of light to mastering exposure techniques and the nuances of working with available light to craft compelling images that resonate with the rhythm and emotion of the music. Understanding the distinctive characteristics of different light sources, from stage spotlights to neon signs, and how to use them to your advantage. Selecting the right gear, choosing optimal vantage points, and optimizing your camera settings to achieve the perfect balance of exposure and ambiance in challenging lighting conditions.

12:00 – 1:30 Lunch on Your Own

1:30 – 5:30 Photo Walk

5:30 Dinner on your own

Saturday, April 24

8:00 Return Leica on Loan

8:45-9:00 Morning Announcements

9:00-10:00 Getting the most out of editing RAW files: Tips and Tricks - with David Knoble 

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45 – 2:00 Lunch on Your Own/Last Photo Walk

2:00 - 3:00 Selecting/Editing Your Images 

3:30 – 4:30 Sharing of Images with Commentary – Tom Smith, Nathan Kellum, David Knoble

6:30 Cocktails (cash bar - must be pre-registered)

7:00 Banquet (must be pre-registered)

Speakers

Ray Di Pietro Ray Di Pietro is a Photojournalist based in Nashville documenting politics, people, social issues, and current events. Alongside work as a Shutterstock news contributor (The Times, Time Magazine, The Guardian, People, The Daily Beast) has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Rolling Stone and the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, as well as locally for NewsChannel5, Tennessee Lookout and the Nashville Scene. 

Di Pietro exclusively uses Leica M10-R, Leica M10 Monochrom and Leica M10-P digital bodies with Summilux 35mm f/1.4 asph fle, Summicron 35mm f/2 asph, Summicron 35mm f/2, Elmarit 28mm f/2.8 asph, Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 and Elmarit 135mm f/4 lenses for his photojournalism work as well as Leica M6 and Leica MP film bodies for 35mm film.  You can see his work at raydipietro.com and on Instagram @raydipietro i

Becky Fluke’s journey through the lens began at the age of fifteen. Two decades ago, while still in high school, she started working with Sugarland, marking the commencement of a career marked by creativity and passion. 

As a multifaceted photographer, Becky captures moments that weave compelling stories and evoke profound emotions. Her portfolio includes iconic names in the music industry, from emerging talents to established legends such as Chris Stapleton, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Miranda Lambert, Lionel Richie, and Barry Gibb. From touring with artists, to being a fly on the wall in a recording studio, to shooting album covers, her images immerse viewers in each moment's emotion.

Becky's commitment extends beyond the lens, evident in her dedication to supporting emerging artists and fostering community within the music industry. Whether photographing sold-out stadium shows or intimate club performances, her work resonates with the transformative power of music in every frame. 

Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, vibrant urban landscapes, and the profound depth of human connection, Becky's work goes beyond music photography. An avid traveler and explorer, she seeks inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences.

Nathan Kellum grew up in France and started capturing images at the age of 15. After earning his baccalaureate, he decided to move to the United States to pursue his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography. Since 2015, Nathan has worked at Leica Camera USA within its retail division, as well as with the Leica Akademie, providing training and support for creators of all levels. Today as the Product Communication Specialist, Nathan works with members of the press and media within the North American market on Leica’s current and upcoming products.

Josh Lehrer has been with Leica Store Miami since early 2010, beginning his Leica journey less than a year after graduating from RIT with a photography degree. Since then, he’s developed a strong passion for Leica collectibles, using vintage glass on modern cameras, and memorizing Leica part numbers. When he’s not chasing supercars around, you’ll find him co-hosting Red Dot Forum Camera Talk on YouTube, or spoiling his Golden Retriever, Enzo.

Tom A. Smith is on a mission to bring the experience of shooting with a Leica rangefinder to a new generation of photographers. Since leading the debut of the Leica Akademie, more than a decade ago, Tom has organized and led workshop experiences for more than 6,000 individual photographers worldwide, helping many to discover Leica photography for the first time.

With a background in theatre and journalism, it is no surprise that this graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design would find success speaking to groups about photography. Over the past 20 years, in the photo industry, he has developed a reputation for engaging audiences and presenting complicated technical information simply. As the V.P. for the Leica Akademie of North America, Tom now leads the team responsible for Leica’s staff product training and all public education programs. When not traveling, he is based in Jacksonville Florida.

A long-time supporter of LSI, Tom is excited to see the growth of the group over the last few years and looks forward to seeing everyone in Nashville. Instagram:@tasmitpictures

Mynxii White is an award-winning make-up artist, global beauty editor & LA producer for Schön! Magazine, creative director and photographer. She has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry working tirelessly to bring her unique creativity to every person with whom she works. Mynxii first got the attention of the industry when Tony&Guy named her Make-Up Artist of the year in 2004 for all of North America. Since then, she has worked with many notable people and projects including those with Ellen Von Unwerth, Leica's S Magazine, Floria Sigismondi, Stella McCartney and Ru Paul’s Drag Race. She is currently a featured educator for the Mastered Program with Nick Knight.

2024 LSI Women in Photography Grant

Application period begins March 8 - April 19, 2024 (limited to first 60 applications)

Applications Closed

Leica Society International (LSI) is proud to announce its second annual Women in Photography Grant. This grant is open to all women photographers in any part of the world (where allowed by law) and is made possible through LSI and Leica U.S. One grant in the amount of $10,000 USD ($5,000 of which generously donated by Leica U.S.) will be awarded to help complete an in-progress, personal project. In addition, the grant recipient will receive a new Leica Q3 camera, courtesy of Leica U.S.

The theme for this grant is “Resilience, Rebirth & Courage” 

LSI invites you to submit an in-progress, personal project illustrating the human potential to inspire and uplift through themes of resilience, rebirth and/or courage. We are looking for visual projects/stories that demonstrate the ability to achieve greatness and positivity, success and victory. Stories that inspire the viewer to celebrate the light we chase to the heart of humanity.

Call for entries begins on March 8, 2024, International Women’s Day, and ends on April 19th, 2024, or when the limit of 60 applications is reached, whichever comes first. The winning project will be announced on June 5, 2024. Please read below for submission guidelines and general information.

The number of applications will be limited to sixty (60) on a first-come first-served basis. All applications must adhere closely to the application requirements. If any application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will not reach the finalist phase.

The number of applications will be limited to fifty (60) on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications have a fee of $30 USD and must adhere to the application requirements. If an application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will be rejected. This is a global program where allowed by law.  

APPLICATION CRITERIA

APPLICATION RULES

• The LSI Women in Photography Grant is open to photographers at least 18 years old on or before April 31, 2024.

• Use of a Leica camera is not required; membership in LSI is not required.

• Images must be the work and property of the photographer.  Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer. 

• The photographic project must be in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.

• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Contest.

• Officers and Directors of LSI and past recipients of an LSI grant are not eligible to enter.

• Deadline: Applications must be received no later than April 19, 2024, 11:59 PM North American CST, or when the limit of 60 is reached, whichever comes first.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Payment of Application Fee: $30.00 USD

Artist bio/Statement in the order below (must be submitted in a word document):

• Applicant’s Identification:  Name · address · phone · email · gender, nationality & biography

• Project Title: Along with a short subtitle

• Project Description: A written proposal that describes the purpose and nature of the project and how you will accomplish the project.

• Grant funds budget: A budget detailing expenses you expect to incur during the completion of the project.

• Links: Any applicable website/social media links

Portfolio Requirements

•  Project Portfolio: Applications must include a portfolio of up to but not exceeding ten (10) images that illustrate the nature of your project.

• Frame Identification: Each image file name must include Photographer’s name, title, and sequence number. (i.e.: smith[title]01”

SELECTION PROCESS

• Preliminary Stage: All applications will be screened by a panel of judges selected by LSI. 

• Finalist Stage: Ten to fifteen applications will be chosen by the LSI preliminary phase panel to be sent to our jury of distinguished photographers/curators/picture editors for final selection. All decisions of the selection panel or the judges will be final.

• LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.

• LSI reserves the right not to award a grant if, in the sole judgment of the jury, there is no submission warranting a grant.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD, DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS & DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION

• Grant recipient shall be selected and notified by e-mail or telephone.

• Grant funds will be disbursed in two portions. $9,000 up-front before project completion. The remaining $1000 will be disbursed upon completion and receipt of a Project Report/ photo essay in digital form for the LSI website. The camera and lens will be delivered after the recipient confirms acceptance of the grant, conditions, and camera.

• Grant recipients are expected to provide a brief follow-up report/blog post/photo essay upon completion of the project that describes how the project progressed and provides a detailed explanation of how funds were used. 

• Final Project reports must be submitted within a year of the award disbursement.

COPYRIGHT & USE OF IMAGES

The grant recipient retains all copyright and ownership of images submitted and resulting from the project. By accepting the grant, the award winner agrees to allow Leica Society International to feature the final project on its website and quarterly journal or otherwise to promote both the project and grant.

QUESTIONS

All questions about the contest shall be directed to LSI at this email address: info@leicasocietyinternational.org.

We're going back to the mothership in Wetzlar! Our meeting dates are October 18-21, 2023, Wednesday - Friday, with an optional event on Saturday. Plans are underway. We will have another great program packed with exciting speakers and time for sightseeing in Wetzlar and other locations. Stay tuned. More details to come.

Our Fall conference in Wetzlar is nearly sold out. There are THREE spots remaining.

Conference Agenda (subject to revisions):

All Sessions at the Ernst Leitz Hotel Conference Center at Leitz Park, Wetzlar, Germany. You will be assigned a tour group color for specific activities on Wednesday and Thursday so that everyone has a chance to see it all. See your badge for your group color.

 Oct. 18 Wednesday

7:30 - 9:00 Registration Ernst Leitz Lobby

8:00-9:00        “Leica-on-Loan.” - Leica Welt Building, Reception area.

A significant selection of Leica cameras and lenses will be available to try. 

9:00-9:15         Opening Remarks: Introduction and Welcoming Remarks

9:15-10:45       Meet Leica Executives: Brad Husick will moderate a session of Q & A with Dr. Andreas Kaufmann and joined by panelists Stefan Daniel (Global Director of Business Unit Photo), Andrea Pacella (Global Head of Marketing) and Stephan Schulz (Head of SL and Q Series). Audience questions are welcomed.

10:45-11:00     BREAK

11:00-12:00     The Five Columns of Leica's Cultural Activities– with Karin Rehn-Kaufmann

12:00-13:15     Lunch at Ernst Leitz Hotel (included)

13:15-15:15     Tour of Leica Campus Take a trip around the Leica Campus and a peak behind the scenes look of where the precision, craftsmanship and the magic happen. Small Groups in rotation. Meeting in the reception area of the Leica Welt Building

15:15-18:00     Activities for All in subgroups: (your choice)

• Alternative A: Guided Walking Tour of Wetzlar with Incoming GmbH for RED group. Bus Transport provided. Wetzlar is a city with a lively past. The old town of Wetzlar is characterized by medieval squares and winding alleys, charming half-timbered houses and buildings from the time of the Imperial Chamber Court characterize the townscape.

• Alternative B: Visit the Ernst Leitz Haus in Wetzlar - bus transport back and forth - Drop off will be at the Leitzplatz. Address is Ernst Leitz Haus Laufdorfer Weg 6. 35578 Wetzlar.

• Alternative C: Photo studio shoot with Silvergrain Classics - at Studio (outside entrance) to the left of the museum entrance. Leica Campus. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. At outside entrance of Leica Welt building.

• Guided Tour of the Leica Archives – Tim Pullmann - sign up for times at the registration desk - Leica Campus

• Visit Museum (self-guided tour) Leica Campus

18:00-19:00     BREAK

19:00-20:30     Dinner hosted by Leica Camera AG at the Leitz Hotel

20:30-24:00 Cash Bar at Leitz Hotel for all; Leica executives are invited as well as members and guests.

Oct. 19, Thursday

8:00 Registration Ernst Leitz Lobby

8:00-9:00         Leica-on-Loan
9:00-9:30         Keynote Address: The Future of Leica Camera Company with Matthias Harsch, CEO of Leica Camera AG

9:30-10:45       Bridging Tradition and Innovation with Peter Karbe, Head of Optical Development, Leica AG

10:45-11:00     BREAK

11:00-11:50     My Leica Journey and Life Beyond the “M” with Stephan Schulz

12:00-12:40     Leica Magic - Inside Leica Product Managment with Jesko von Oeynhausen, Leica Global Director Product Division Photo

12:40-14:00     Lunch provided in hotel

14:00-14:45    A Conversation About the Past and Present with Jim Lager and Bill Rosauer

14:45-15:00     BREAK

15:15-18:00     Activities for all (your choice)

• Alternative A: Guided Walking Tour of Wetzlar with Incoming GmbH for BLUE group.

• Alternative B: Visit the Ernst Leitz Haus in Wetzlar - bus transport provided. Drop off will be at the Leitzplatz. Address is Ernst Leitz Haus Laufdorfer Weg 6. 35578 Wetzlar.

• Alternative C: Photo studio shoot with Silvergrain Classics - at Studio (outside entrance) to the left of the museum entrance. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. At outside entrance of Leica Welt building.

• Guided Tour of the Leica Archives – Tim Pullmann - sign up for times at the registration desk

• Visit Museum (self-guided tour)

18:00      Dinner on Your Own

Oct. 20, Friday

8:00-9:00         Leica-on-Loan - Return of Equipment

9:00-9:30         LSI General Business Meeting

9:30-9:45         BREAK

9:45-12:30     Photographers in Presentation

• 9:45 - 11:00 AM Steve McCurry

• 11 - 11:30 AM - Timelessness - Hari Subramanyam

• 11:30 - 12:00 - Intuition, Exposure and the Decisive Moment - with Jono Slack

  In his talk Jonathan Slack will look at the role of Intuition in making images, and discuss ways the photographer can make the most of it and catch that decisive moment.

• 12:-12:40 PM - Anatomy of a Project & Preview of LSI Photo Grant Finalists - Richard Rejino

  In this illuminating presentation, Richard Rejino will talk about the importance of having an ongoing personal project in progress at all times to give your photography purpose and intention. He will highlight some of LSI members’ projects as examples, as well as his own project, What Music Means to Me.

12:40-14:00     Lunch provided in hotel

14:00-15:00    Presentation with Leitz Photographica Auctions - Parts 1 & 2

• Part 1, Cameras: Collecting Cameras: Navigating False Trends and Embracing Missed Opportunities: This presentation delves into the intriguing world of vintage camera collecting, exploring the motivations behind it, the changing trends within the market, and the opportunities that may be overlooked. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and artistic value of these cameras, cautioning against blindly following fleeting trends and highlighting the potential for smart investments in limited-production modern collectibles, all while providing key principles to guide successful collecting. Ultimately, it aims to inspire a thoughtful, informed approach to camera collecting while revealing the hidden gems amidst the noise of the ever-evolving trends.

• Part 2, Photographs: About the creative possibilities of photography. A tribute to Otto Steinert, the art of photography and the collector’s market. - 22 of his most famous photographs will be auctioned in Vienna in November. Otto Steinert left his mark on German post-war photography like no other. Instead of depicting reality, he uncompromisingly emphasized the autonomy of his own pictorial reality. Steinert spanned the arc from "New Seeing" to "Subjective Photography," broke with the conventions of the conventionally documentary, and significantly enriched the visual language with his tension-laden compositions. Steinert propagated the role of the photographer as an autonomous designer. By revisiting experimental working techniques such as double exposures, motion blur, negative montages, solarizations, and long exposures, Steinert attempted to explore the artistic possibilities of the medium to its limits.

15:15-18:00     Activities for all (your choice), or free time

• Guided Tour of the Leica Archives – Tim Pullmann - sign up for times at the registration desk

• Visit Museum (self-guided tour)

19:00          Reception and Banquet: 2023 LSI Photography Grant Recipient announced and Award presentations, Slide show from Photo Shoots with Silvergrain Classics.

Saturday Oct 21, 2023 - Must be pre-registered

8:00 AM Departure for All-Day Rhine Romance Tour (details below) Must be pre-registered.

5:30 PM Return to Leitz Hotel

Optional Event: Saturday, October 21, 2023: Rhine Romance Bus Tour – Vineyards crowned by castles and medieval towns - $115 per person. (Limit of 80)

The first stop of this tour leads you to St. Goarshausen, a picturesque little town located directly on the River Rhine. St. Goarshausen is located downstream of the slate rock of the Loreley on the right bank of the Rhine in the Rhine-Lahn district. The town has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley since 2002 and is also called "Loreley Town" due to its proximity to the world-famous Loreley Rock. This imposing mountain rises from the Middle Rhine Valley. With the Loreley song written by the famous German denser Heinrich Heine, the legend of the blond Rhine mermaid Loreley, who is said to have lured the boatmen to their doom, has become known throughout the world.  Even today, visitors feel the myth when they stand high up on the Loreley rock, look into the whirlpools of the Rhine, and become aware of the dangerous Rhine strait.

Proceed along castles and fortresses from a bygone era to Bacharach, where a typical and regional German lunch awaits you with regional specialties. In the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, famous poets, painters, and travelers worldwide have been meeting for centuries to enjoy the joy of life with a good glass of wine. The town impresses with its narrow streets, the ruins of the Werner Chapel, the many half-timbered houses, and, of course, the Stahleck Castle towering over the town.

After lunch, your guide will lead you during a short walk through the old alleys of this traditional Wine town. During/after this walk we will arrange a wine tasting of 3 wines in order to taste the famous wines of one of Germany’s most famous wine-growing regions, where already the Romans cultivated wine. Bacharach was already at the center of the European wine trade in the Middle Ages.

Depending on the group size, the group has to be divided up into 2 smaller groups; one part will have lunch first and a walking city tour and wine tasting afterward, and the other part has first the walking city tour and wine tasting and lunch afterward.

Old Town Wetzlar Walking Tour (included with registration - limit of 150)

Wetzlar is a city with a lively past. The old town of Wetzlar is characterized by medieval squares and winding alleys.  The remarkable cathedral and the picturesque old town reveal this at first glance: Medieval squares and winding alleys, charming half-timbered houses and buildings from the time of the Imperial Chamber Court characterize the townscape. Also Johann Wolfgang Goethe stayed in Wetzlar in the summer of 1772. The unfinished Gothic cathedral is also fascinating, reflecting a piece of the city's history with its combination of Romanesque and Gothic elements.

The Rome Spring Shoot will take place from Thursday, May 18 - Saturday, May 20 in the heart of Rome, the eternal city. Plan on arriving Wednesday, May 17 and departing on Sunday May 21.

Our program will feature Leica on Loan, three scenic Photo Walks with assignments, a Visit and reception at Leica Store Rome, Photo Review, and four fabulous speakers. Scroll down to read details.

Click here to order the t-shirt!

Hotel Accommodations: The LSI has reserved rooms at the Le Méridien Visconti Rome hotel Once you have registered, you will be emailed a confirmation of registration and links to make your hotel reservations at a special LSI rate.

Plan on arriving on Wednesday, May 17 and departing on Sunday, May 21.

Register below.

Program

All sessions will be held in the Visconti Plenary room, located in the lower level of the Le Meriden Visconti Rome.

For a list of attendees, click here.

To view/download all Photo Walks click here.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023                                                       

Arrival day for Participants.

19:30                  Informal Meet and Greet (Hotel Lobby).                                                                  

Thursday, May 18, 2023

08:00                  POSTPONED - Leica on Loan - bad weather delayed the Leica team, so we won’t be able to offer this until Friday morning                                   

9:00 -9:15 AM   President’s Welcome/Conference Chair Welcome/International Leica Society Update

9:15-10:00          Introduction of Attendees

10:00 – 10:15     Break

10:15-11:15        Light of Seduction with  Milan Swolfs

This work is my homage to women, taking us back to the forgotten times or the roaring twenties, old Hollywood glamor with a mix of 50's pin-ups. Think about flapper dresses, red lipstick, corsets, champagne and cabaret!”, he says in a statement, adding that playing with light “teases the visitors with scenes of seduction”. “As a spectator, do we feel like a 'voyeur' caught in the middle of something, or what happens next?

11:15 – 12:15     Unfamiliar with Simona Ghizzoni

In my photographic practice, autobiography has always been of great importance. In fact, my production revolves around two major themes: the social sphere of women and the private sphere of self-portraiture. In this talk, I will share with you two of my best-known works: Odd Days, a documentary work on eating disorders, and Isola, my latest project, which uses self-portraiture to narrate the story of my relationship with my family and the environment in which we live.

12:15 -12:30       Photo Assignment Explanations (Milan)

Progam Chair Milan Swolfs takes us through the theme for creating memorable images with three scenic photo walks.

12:30 – 14:30     Lunch provided in Latitude 41       

14:30-17:30         Photo Walk

17:30                     Dinner on your own

Friday, May 19, 2023

8:00                      Leica on Loan

8:45-9:00            Announcements

9:00 – 10:00       Luck, Heresy and First Stage Thinking with Jono Slack

An examination of the photographic techniques we take for granted, and how changing them can result in better pictures and a better shooting experience.

10 – 10:15          Break

10:15 - 11:15      How to visualize and narrate the invisible?  with Marco Casino

Retracing a decade-long professional career in between photography and videography, Marco Casino will talk and share the genesis, development and publication behind his working method. Whether it’s with a rangefinder, archival material, forensic iconography, drone perspective, satellite imagery or neural networks image analysis, Casino practice focuses on how to visualize and create visual narratives that seek to be able to grasp the endless nuances and details of phenomena born in the internet and real-time information society.

11:15- 12:00       Anatomy of a Project – Richard Rejino

The importance of having an ongoing personal project cannot be understated. In this session, Richard Rejino will explore how other creative mediums can enhance your photographic storytelling. Using his highly successful “What Music Means to Me Project” he will illustrate how he combined his three greatest passions, music, photography and writing, and turned them into a book, a museum exhibit, and a means to communicate the transformative power of music. He will also show and discuss project from other photographers.

12:00 – 13:30     Lunch Provided at Latitude 41

13:30 – 17:00     Photo Walk starting from hotel

17:30                     Reception at Leica Store Roma

Leica Store Roma welcomes LSI attendees with a reception. The address is: Leica Store Rome, Via dei Due Macelli 57, 00187 Roma. Click here for a map from the hotel to the store.

18:30                     Dinner on your own 

Saturday, May 20                                             

8:00                        Leica on Loan

8:45-9:00              Morning Announcements

9:00-10:30           The SL System with Stephan Schultz, Leica AG

In this presentation, Stephan Schultz will discuss how the SL system came to be and and his vision to make it happen. He will also discuss about how strategic ideas as well how the link to the L-Mount Alliance evolved.

10:30-10:45        Break

10:45 – 13:30     Photo Walk and Lunch on your own

13:30 - 14:30      Selecting/Editing Your Images

14:30 – 16:30     Sharing of Images with Commentary – Milan Swolfs and Jono Slack       

18:30                     Cocktails (cash bar)

19:00                     Banquet (must be pre-registered) - Latitude 41 Restaurant

ROME Spring Shoot Speakers

Marco Casino (Caserta, 1986) is a cross-media documentary photographer & videographer specialized in long-form social reportages.  In the last decade Casino covered stories in Italy, Europe, Africa and South America, often exploring unrepresented contemporary social issues with narratives standing at the intersection of humanist photography, groundbreaking contemporary technological innovations & the internet culture.  His works appeared in news outlets like National Geographic, BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian, Internazionale and some of his pictures and videos have been exhibited in spaces like the Pulitzer Hall - Brown Institute for Media Innovation of New York, the Royal Albert Hall of London, the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz gallery of Les Rencontres d’Arles.  He’s been recognized by awards and grants like the World Press Photo (2014 - 1° place Short Feature Multimedia category), selected twice as “30 under 30” by Magnum Photos.

Brand ambassador & media creator for Leica Camera since 2012, Casino have also been working on commercial assignments, cooperating with creative agencies and luxury brands like Havas, TBWA, Sky Arts, Magnolia Digital, Lamborghini, Valentino, Huawei, Motorola, Samsung, Nautor’s Swan, Ducati. Based in Milano and available worldwide for visual productions, editorial assignments, developing ideas together with clients or unrepresented communities looking for communication aids. 

Part of his archive is distributed by Archive.luz.it.

Simona Ghizzoni (1977) is a photographer and visual activist for women's rights. Her work is strongly rooted in personal experience, which Ghizzoni reworks and interprets through photography. Her production revolves around two major strands, which often intersect: the social dimension of women and the private dimension of self-portraits. With her first work, Odd Days, she tells in a series of portraits the difficult path of healing from the eating disorder. While her images are often of social inspiration, Ghizzoni tends to employ a personal and participatory narrative, sometimes even fantastic, that arises from the intimate relationship he creates with the subjects. In the series of self-portraits the recurring element is a visceral relationship with the environment, which alternates autobiography and fiction.

Twice awarded the World Press Photo for her work on the condition of women, her work has received numerous awards: Poyi, The Aftermath Project, Burn Magazine Emerging Photographer Grant, BBC Arabic Film and Documentary Festival, Margaret Mead Film Festival, Sony World Photography Awards, among others. Her work has been widely presented in solo and group exhibitions, including the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Paris Photo, Photo Espana, Rome Auditorium, Athens Photo Festival, Ex-Mattatoio Rome. In 2022 she is the president of the jury for Europe at the World Press Photo. Ghizzoni is a TEDX speaker and regularly holds lectures in various European schools and universities. She is co-founder of MAPS Images, she is represented in Italy by MLB Gallery.

Jonathan Slack grew up in the seaside town of St Ives in the UK. His father was a doctor, sculptor and a photographer and was a friend to many of the artist community  including Barbara Hepworth and Patrick Heron. 

Jonathan is a botanist by training and a software developer by practice, but photography has been his obsession since his twenties when he gave up painting. It even survived some work in PR earlier in the century. If asked nicely enough he will still do weddings and event photography .

He has been testing Leica cameras since 2007, beginning with the M8 and including all the major releases since then. During this time he has come to understand that Leica really is dedicated to the essence of photography, and that the M11 is the pinnacle of reductionist functionality.

Articles and photographs have been published widely including the LHSA Viewfinder magazine, GQ magazine, LFI, various newspapers and magazines and on many websites including his own.

Richard Rejino is the Executive Director of the Leica Society International. He is the author of What Music Means to Me, published by Hal Leonard Corporation. His writing and photography has been published in Viewfinder, Leica NA Blog, Music Inc., American Music Teacher, The Piano Teacher, and other publications. He is currently the Executive Editor for Pony Express(ions), SMU’s Graduate of Liberal Studies literary online journal. His photography has been featured at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California, and he is the 2015 winner of the LSI Annual Photo Contest.

Stephan Schultz of Leica AG is responsible for Leicas S and SL System. His has an engineering degree and marketing education. Mr. Schultz joined Leica in 2007, bringing almost 20 years of professional experience from former jobs at Philips/Pentax/Thomson Multimedia into the company. He proudly boasts that he got his first camera in 1972 and his first Leica (M6) in 1989.

Milan Swolfs is most known for his fine art portrait photography work in the burlesque and vintage styles. His work is a throwback to the memorable Hollywood glamour of the 20s and 30s, often portraying women in a daring and sexy way, but always delicately and glamorously. Milan is an ambassador for Leica Camera Belgium and France. In 2022 he had an exhibition "Light of Seduction'" at the Leica Gallery in Porto. His work has been featured in Viewfinder, LFI magazine and the Leica Blog and he is the official photographer for the biggest Burlesque shows in Europe. Milan also did the official Marketing photos for the re-release of the Noctilux 50mm f1.2. Milan is also a Leica collector focusing on vintage lenses.

Event is SOLD OUT!

If you wish to be placed on a waiting list, please email info@leicasocietyinternational.org

Welcome to the LSI Spring Conference Registration page! The conference will take place from Friday, April 21 - Sunday April 23 in Teaneck, New Jersey, the home of our conference host Leica North America. Plan on arriving Thursday, April 20* and departing on Monday, April 24.

Our program is packed with an unprecedented line up of artists who will educate and inspire. Sessions and events include Leica on Loan, a tour of Leica USA’s new offices, two photo excursions in New York City, 7 speakers (yes, seven), as well as special appearances from Leica USA & Leica AG representatives.

Click here to see the program!

Click here to read about our speakers!

The LSI has reserved rooms at two hotels, The Marriott ($209 USD per night) and The Hampton Inn & Suites ($159 USD per night). Both hotels are across from each other in Teaneck/Glenpointe and across the street from Leica Headquarters. Once you have registered, you will be emailed a confirmation of registration and links to make your hotel reservations.

Plan on arriving on Thursday, April 20th and departing on Monday, April 23.

*Please note that the Leica office tours will take place on Thursday evening, April 20th.

Register below.

2023 LSI Women in Photography Grant

Grant applications are closed - we have reached our limit . Thank you!

Leica Society International (LSI) is proud to announce its first-ever Women in Photography Grant. This grant is open to all women photographers in any part of the world (where allowed by law) and is made possible through LSI and Leica U.S. One grant in the amount of $10,000 USD ($5,000 of which generously donated by Leica U.S.) will be awarded to help complete an in-progress, personal project. In addition, the grant recipient will receive a new Leica Q2 camera, courtesy of Leica U.S.

The theme for this grant is “Celebrating the Human Spirit.” 

LSI invites you to submit an in-progress, personal project demonstrating the human potential for one or more of the following: courage, compassion, achievement, love, and excellence. We are looking for projects/stories whose images express our innate ability to achieve greatness and positivity, success and victory, the kinds of stories whose arc have the potential to inspire fellow human beings to act, to celebrate achievement, and to uplift all humans.

Call for entries begins on March 8, 2023, International Women’s Day, and ends on April 19th, 2023, or when the limit of 60 applications is reached, whichever comes first. The winning project will be announced on May 29, 2023. Please read below for submission guidelines and general information.

The number of applications will be limited to sixty (60) on a first-come first-served basis. All applications must adhere closely to the application requirements. If any application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will be rejected.

Grant applications are closed - we have reached our limit . Thank you!

The number of applications will be limited to fifty (60) on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications have a fee of $30 USD and must adhere to the application requirements. If an application does not follow the requirements as outlined, it will be rejected. This is a global program where allowed by law.  

Summary of Application

• The LHSA Photography Grant is open to photographers at least 18 years old on or before April 31, 2023.

• Use of a Leica camera is not required; membership in LSI is not required.

• Images must be the work and property of the photographer.  Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer. 

• The photographic project may be in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.

• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Contest.

• Officers and Directors of LSI and past recipients of a grant are not eligible to enter.

• Deadline: Applications must be received no later than April 19, 2023, 11:59 PM North American CST or before the limit of 60 applications is reached.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

• The LHSA Photography Grant is open to photographers at least 18 years old on or before April 31, 2023.

• Use of a Leica camera is not required; membership in LSI is not required.

• Images must be the work and property of the photographer.  Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer. 

• The photographic project may be in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.

• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Contest.

• Officers and Directors of LSI and past recipients of a grant are not eligible to enter.

• Deadline: Applications must be received no later than April 19, 2022, 11:59 PM North American CST, or when the limit of 60 is reached, whichever comes first.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Payment of Application Fee: $30.00 USD

Artist bio/Statement in the order below (must be submitted in a word document):

• Applicant’s Identification:  Name · address · phone · email · gender, nationality & biography

• Project Title: Along with a short subtitle

• Project Description: A written proposal of no more than 300 words that describes the purpose and nature of the project and how you will accomplish the project.

• Grant funds budget: A budget detailing expenses you expect to incur during the completion of the project.

• Links: Any applicable website/social media links

Portfolio Requirements

•  Project Portfolio: Applications must include a portfolio of up to but not exceeding ten (10) images that illustrate the nature of your project.

• Frame Identification: Each image file name must include Photographer’s name, title, and sequence number. (i.e.: smith[title]01”

SELECTION PROCESS

• Preliminary Stage: All applications will be screened by a panel of judges selected by LSI. 

• Finalist Stage: Ten to fifteen applications will be chosen by the LSI preliminary phase panel to be sent to our jury of distinguished photographers/curators/picture editors for final selection. All decisions of the selection panel or the judges will be final.

• LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.

• LSI reserves the right not to award a grant if, in the sole judgment of the jury, there is no submission warranting a grant.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD, DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS & DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION

• Grant recipient shall be selected and notified by e-mail or telephone.

• Grant funds will be disbursed in two portions. $9,000 up-front before project completion. The remaining $1000 will be disbursed upon completion and receipt of a Project Report/ photo essay in digital form for the LSI website. The camera and lens will be delivered after the recipient confirms acceptance of the grant, conditions, and camera.

• Grant recipients are expected to provide a brief follow-up report/blog post/photo essay upon completion of the project that describes how the project progressed and provides a detailed explanation of how funds were used. 

• Final Project reports must be submitted within a year of the award disbursement.

COPYRIGHT & USE OF IMAGES

The grant recipient retains all copyright and ownership of images submitted and resulting from the project. By accepting the grant, the award winner agrees to allow Leica Society International to feature the final project on its website and quarterly journal or otherwise to promote both the project and grant.

QUESTIONS

All questions about the contest shall be directed to LSI at this email address: info@leicasocietyinternational.org.

Registration Now Open!

The 2022 LHSA - International Leica Society Annual Meeting & Conference will take place in Dublin Ireland from October 13-15.

Dublin is a warm and welcoming city, known for the friendliness of its people and famous for its craic (“crack”)—that mixture of repartee, humor, intelligence, and acerbic and deflating insight that has attracted writers, intellectuals, visitors (and photographers) for centuries. As William Fagan, our VP who resides in Dublin, says, "In Ireland, there are no strangers, just friends you have not yet met.”

We have also planned a visit to the iconic Guinness Storehouse. Built in the style of the Chicago School of Architecture 1904, it was originally used as a fermentation house. Today it’s Ireland’s number one visitor attraction – a gleaming, multimedia exhibition on everything from retro advertising to the craft of brewing, topped off with a pint in the 360-degree Gravity Bar. 

Program

To view the conference program, click here! (program and speaker list subject to changes)

Hotel Information

For the Conference we have reserved rooms in two hotels in the heart of Dublin where heritage and history blend seamlessly. They are across the street from each other and easy to access. We will send you links to make your hotel reservations after you register for the conference. We can confidently say that you will be staying at an iconic and luxurious hotel located in the center of of Dublin. We have negotiated a special rate (less than $300 per night!) at the hotel where we are holding the event, so please don't make other hotel arrangements! Register below.

Conference Registration

We are looking forward to our first in-person conference since 2019! Mark your calendars and save the date for LHSA – The International Leica Society’s Conference and Annual Meeting from October 22-23 at the Westin Bellevue Hotel, Bellevue (Seattle) Washington.

The program is almost complete, and here are a few highlights:

1. Leica on Loan

2. Evening reception at Leica Store Bellevue

3. LHSA Photo Contest and Gallery Showing

4. Excursion to Pike Place Market

5. And a lineup of great speakers and sessions

We will be sending out details on registration, the program, and hotel reservations in the coming days. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Join us for LHSA – The International Leica Society’s Conference and Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, October 22-23, 2021. We are looking to seeing everyone at our first in-person conference since 2019!

Covid Protocol

Currently, the state of Washington and the Bellevue Westin Hotel are requiring masks covering your mouth and nose in public indoor spaces (and outdoors for 500 or more people), which includes our conference area. In addition, LHSA will also require the following precautions to keep our attendees as safe as possible:

• Participants must show upon picking up their badge either: proof of vaccination, or a negative covid test taken within the prior 72 hours.

• Observe social distancing between non-family member participants while in-conference room.

• Sign a standard COVID liability waiver form. To download the waiver form, click here.

Conference Program: We have an impressive line-up of great sessions. Click here to download the program. A few highlights include:

• Leica on Loan

• Annual Trade Fair

• Great Sessions and speakers (see below)

• Excursion to Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle (transportation provided)

• Saturday night banquet

Special Events:

• Reception and Photo Show at Leica Store Bellevue, walking distance from the hotel.

• Photography Show: LHSA presents its first ever Photography Show: The Power of Light, featuring images created by LHSA conference attendees. To learn more and submit your black and white or color photographs for consideration, click here.

Conference Speakers include Richard Chalfan, Philip Blair, Sandra Eisert, and Cheriss May. Click here to learn more about our conference speakers.

Register Today!