FotoFest — The World's Largest Photography Festival

FotoFest, founded in Houston, Texas in 1986, grew into the world's largest photography festival and one of the most important meeting points for photographers, curators, and collectors from around the globe. Co-founder Fred Baldwin sat down with Photo Talk to share the origin story — how a conversation between two photographers turned into a biennial event that would reshape the international photography community.

Fred discusses the early struggles of building an audience for fine-art photography in Houston, the importance of the Meeting Place (FotoFest's celebrated portfolio review program), and how the festival evolved to include photographers from over 100 countries.

Attendees and curators also weigh in, describing what it feels like to be part of an event where careers are launched, collaborations are born, and the full spectrum of photographic practice — from documentary to fine art — is celebrated under one roof.