The 275th issue of the E-Photo newsletter has been released, delivering comprehensive coverage of current developments in the photography world. This edition provides detailed analysis of recent art fair results, market trends, and emerging artists, making it essential reading for collectors, dealers, and photography enthusiasts. Among the key topics examined are the outcomes of Paris Photo 2025, the growing interest in vintage photography at specialized fairs, and an in-depth profile of contemporary artist Lisa Holden. The newsletter also reports on commercial promotions and offers a retrospective look at the photography market's performance throughout 2025. Subscribers can access the full publication through the E-Photo digital platform.
Paris Photo 2025, the premier international photography fair, experienced a modest decline in both visitor attendance and the number of participating exhibitors compared to previous years. Despite these slight decreases, sales reports from participating galleries remained positive, indicating a stable market for high-quality photographic works. Several long-standing exhibitors made the notable decision to skip this year's edition, citing various factors including rising costs and strategic repositioning. This shift in participation reflects broader changes in the art fair landscape, as galleries increasingly evaluate the return on investment for major international events. The newsletter examines these developments in detail, offering insights from gallery directors and fair organizers about the evolving dynamics of the photography market.
The 24.39 Classic Photography Fair demonstrated strong performance in attracting serious buyers of vintage photographs, according to the newsletter's coverage. This specialized event continues to carve out an important niche for collectors seeking historic photographic prints and rare camera works. The fair's success suggests sustained demand for nineteenth and early twentieth-century photography, despite fluctuations in the contemporary market. Dealers reported robust sales of works by established masters of the medium, indicating that vintage photography maintains its appeal among institutional and private collectors. The newsletter includes interviews with several prominent dealers who discuss trends in collecting areas such as early portraiture, scientific photography, and vintage landscape images.
Contemporary photographer Lisa Holden receives focused attention in a feature that explores her complex feminist artistic journey. The article examines how Holden's work delves into themes of emotion, identity, and vulnerability through innovative photographic techniques and conceptual approaches. Her recent series challenges traditional representations of female experience, incorporating mixed media and experimental printing processes to create layered visual narratives. The newsletter reproduces several key works from her latest exhibition, accompanied by critical analysis of her contribution to feminist art discourse. Holden's growing international recognition is documented through her recent solo shows and acquisitions by major collections, positioning her as a significant voice in contemporary photography.
Contemporary Works/Vintage Works, a leading photography dealership, has extended its year-end promotion offering a 20 percent discount on selected works through the end of February. This unusual extension reflects the gallery's efforts to stimulate collecting during what has been a cautious market period. The promotion includes works by both emerging contemporary artists and established twentieth-century photographers, providing opportunities for collectors at various levels. The newsletter details specific highlights from the sale, including rare vintage prints and recent contemporary pieces that have garnered critical attention. This commercial strategy illustrates how galleries are adapting to current market conditions by offering incentives to maintain collector engagement and sales momentum.
The year-end review of 2025 characterizes the photography market as experiencing a slow but steady recovery from previous uncertainties. While sales volumes have not returned to peak levels, there is cautious optimism among industry professionals about stabilizing prices and renewed collector interest. The newsletter also somberly notes the loss of several important figures in the photography community during the year, including photographers, curators, and historians whose contributions significantly shaped the field. These passings represent not just personal losses but also the disappearance of irreplaceable knowledge and experience from the photography world. The publication concludes with a forward-looking assessment of 2026, identifying emerging artists and upcoming exhibitions that may define the next phase of photographic practice and collecting.
