My name is Pavel Demidovich. I’m a photographer and the creator of SnapSign - an app that helps photographers and videographers collect signatures on model releases and other documents right on set.
Over the past few years, my work has been featured in more than 30 international exhibitions - from New York to Seoul, from Paris to Bali. In addition, my films "The Heart of Photography" and "Analog Waves" have been screened at over 10 film festivals across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. In this article, I’ll share my personal journey, useful insights, and practical advice for anyone looking to exhibit their work around the world.
Types of Exhibitions
To submit your work effectively, it’s important to understand the different types of exhibitions and participation formats:
1. Group Exhibitions
This is the most accessible and common format for both emerging and established artists. You’re included in a curated selection along with other photographers and visual artists. Group shows help you build connections, expand your audience, and strengthen your portfolio.
2. Solo Exhibitions
A more ambitious and challenging format. These usually require either an invitation from a gallery or full self-organization and investment. You take full control of the curation, narrative, and promotion of the exhibition. A solo show can be a turning point in your career.
3. Paid and Free Submissions
Many exhibitions charge a submission fee, and may also require covering printing, shipping, or installation costs. However, there are free open calls too - especially from museums, public institutions, and creative hubs. Always check the organizer’s reputation, the quality of previous events, and the participant list before applying.
My Journey: From Times Square to Bali
My exhibition journey started with digital showcases and quickly evolved into physical shows. One of my first big milestones was NEW YORK ART WEEK in 2022, where my work was shown on a massive billboard right in the heart of Manhattan - Times Square - during The Armory Show. It was both shocking and euphoric. I realized my work was being seen, it was speaking to people, and it was part of the global art conversation. Since then, I’ve taken part in over 30 international exhibitions, including:
The geography of my exhibitions spans the USA, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Estonia, the UK, Romania, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Many of these shows brought media coverage, interviews, live installations, digital exhibitions, and art conference presentations. As a result, my Instagram and X saw significant growth in reach, and SnapSign gained more visibility within the creative industry.
Why Exhibitions Matter
Exhibiting your work isn’t just about recognition or prestige. It also means:
- • Building professional connections with curators, gallerists, collectors, and fellow artists
- • Opportunities to sell your work or land licensing and publishing contracts
- • Receiving valuable feedback and building confidence in your visual language
- • Expanding your audience beyond social media and into real-world spaces
- • Developing a long-term story and legacy for your artistic name in the global art scene
Where to Find Open Calls
- • ImageNation - exhibitions in Paris, Milan, and New York
- • Art Innovation Gallery - creative digital shows, often outdoors
- • NFT Factory Paris - exhibitions and presentations in Paris
- • PhotoVogue - a chance to enter the international curator database of Vogue
- • The Hug - support for digital creators, open calls, and community features
I also recommend regularly checking open calls on platforms like ArtConnect, Photocontestguru, CuratorSpace, and even the Instagram pages of galleries.
Practical Tips for Photographers: Portfolio, Curators & Online Presence
In addition to submitting your work to exhibitions, here are a few essential tips that can make a real difference in your journey:
1. Build a Thoughtful Portfolio
Your portfolio is your visual resume. Curators, galleries, and juries often look through dozens - if not hundreds - of submissions, so clarity and cohesion matter. Tips:
- • Keep it focused: Instead of uploading everything, select 8–20 photos that show a consistent theme, style, or project.
- • Tell a story: Arrange your works to create a visual flow - beginning, middle, and end - even if it’s abstract.
- • Use high-resolution images with clean file names and optional short captions to add context.
- • Include a short artist statement that explains your intent, medium, and perspective.
- • Host it online: Make sure your website or a dedicated portfolio platform (like Behance or Adobe Portfolio) is updated and easy to navigate.
2. Connect with Curators - Genuinely
Curators are gatekeepers, but they’re also people deeply passionate about art. Building authentic relationships goes a long way.
- • Attend openings and art events in your city or during major art weeks. Introduce yourself without immediately pitching your work.
- • Follow them on Instagram or LinkedIn, engage with their posts meaningfully, and gradually open a conversation.
- • Send personalized messages when submitting work or expressing interest in future collaborations. Mention specific projects of theirs you appreciate - authenticity stands out.
- • Be professional but human: respect deadlines, respond promptly, and be gracious whether you’re accepted or not.
3. Keep an Updated Exhibition Archive on Your Website
Every exhibition - whether physical or digital - adds to your artistic journey. Make sure it’s documented.
- • Create a dedicated "Exhibitions" or "Press" page on your website.
- • Include event name, city, venue/gallery, and date for each show. Optionally, link to press coverage, photos, or videos.
- • If your work appeared in magazines, catalogs, or online media, include those too.
- • This archive is helpful not only for credibility, but also when applying for grants, residencies, or future shows.
4. Bonus: Create a Shareable PDF Portfolio
In addition to your website, consider making a downloadable PDF portfolio (10–15 pages) with:
- • Selected works
- • Artist bio and statement
- • Past exhibitions and press
- • Contact and website links. It's useful for direct emails, open calls, and festival submissions where file uploads are required.
These practical additions - building a tight portfolio, developing curator relationships, and documenting your growth - can significantly strengthen your presence in the art world. Think of every step not just as a goal, but as part of a larger, living artistic ecosystem that you're shaping.
A Word About My Films
My films "The Heart of Photography" and "Analog Waves" are another layer of my artistic voice. In recent years, they’ve been screened at more than 10 festivals across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. They’ve become a powerful medium for deeper narrative and visual storytelling. In my next article, I’ll cover how and where to submit your video work to get selected by film festivals.
Conclusion
If you’re a photographer dreaming of sharing your vision with the world, start now. Don’t wait for a perfect moment or a gallery invitation. Explore open calls, submit consistently, and treat each exhibition as a stepping stone. Whether your work appears on a gallery wall in Paris or a digital screen in Singapore, every showcase builds your path. Stay authentic, stay persistent, and always be open to learning. The art world is vast - but there’s space for your voice in it.
