New York: The Photography Show, presented by the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), returned to the Park Avenue Armory from April 23 to April 27, 2025, with 64 participating exhibitors.
This year’s fair broke its previous attendance records, with nearly 15,000 visitors attending over the course of the event. The increased turnout was partly due to the event’s extra day and the general excitement surrounding the return to the Armory, a venue known for its historical significance and architectural grandeur.
The fair’s executive director, Lydia Melamed Johnson, praised the Armory, calling it one of the most iconic venues for showcasing art. She noted the immense buzz around the event, with attendees lining up around the block during the preview day.
Johnson emphasized the positive response from both exhibitors and visitors, describing the fair as a “real celebration” of photography, particularly in a time when the art market as a whole is seeing downturns, as indicated by the recent Art Market Report.
Despite a global art market slump, the Photography Show’s success highlighted a shift toward more accessible price points. While the overall value of the art market dropped by 12% last year, trading volume in lower-priced works, especially in the four- to five-digit range, showed an increase. This trend was particularly noticeable at the fair, where contemporary photographs and vintage pieces from renowned galleries were sold alongside affordable works.
A significant highlight of this year’s show was the presence of Indigenous women photographers, who have been underrepresented in the art world. Galleries such as Higher Pictures and Scheinbaum & Russek showcased works from Jessica Eaton, Cara Romero, and Shelley Niro, celebrating Indigenous women’s voices behind the lens. This representation was seen as especially poignant in light of the current political climate, with Melamed Johnson calling it a “spectacular” shift in the photography medium.
