Sacramento’s First Ever Photography Month is This April | Events, Activities + Exhibits

Get ready for Sacramento’s first ever Photography Month, a region-wide celebration of photography intended to bring the community together. Throughout the month of April, choose from over 30 events, including receptions, art walks, exhibits, lectures, field trips, workshops and more. Photography Month Sacramento is proudly hosted by Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, a non-profit in Midtown, in collaboration with several partners, including the City of Sacramento.

From long-standing exhibits to one-time events, the Photography Month calendar has over 30 events in locations spread across Sacramento County, Placer County and Yolo County. This month-long creative series provides new opportunities for participating galleries, museums, educational institutions, libraries, retail establishments, bars, restaurants, photographers and patrons to share, celebrate and elevate the art of photography. It is designed to celebrate the visual arts while creating an accessible and visually-exciting collective experience that brings people together.

Take a look at the complete list of events listed on the Photography Month Sacramento event page. Here are some of the highlights for a quick overview as you plan your month:

Time Machine: Sacramento: Inspiration, Reinterpretation, Compilation

March 8–May 31 | Robert T. Matsui Gallery at City Hall

This unique exhibit displayed at City Hall utilizes a unique approach to displaying the historic images of our city. Eight professional photographers from The Focus Group will select an historic image of Sacramento and photograph the same location as it appears today. They will then use their creativity to produce a third photograph that combines both the historic and present-day image.

Through the Lens: The Work of Seven Sacramento Area Photographers

March 9–May 9 | SMUD Art Gallery

Photo Courtesy of the SMUD Art Gallery

Get an overview of the work of local talented photographers at this exhibit lasting all month at the SMUD Art Gallery. Through the Lens features the work of seven Sacramento area photographers, including Bryan Allo, Michael Corlew, Gene McKinnon, Heather Merrifield, David Nasater, Deborah Rhea, and Lucille Van Ommering. You will discover a range of photography highlighting diverse techniques, approaches and personal visions.

California Fresh Film Series: Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning

April 5 at 6:30 p.m. | Crocker Art Museum

The Crocker is presenting four fresh documentaries sharing some of the diverse stories and compelling individuals who make up our state. Each screening will be presented by John Lightfoot of California Humanities, a grant-making nonprofit that helped fund these films through its California Documentary Project. Enjoy a Q&A with the filmmakers or subjects following some of the screenings.

Still in the Streets: Four Generations of Street Photography

April 6–May 28 | Beatnik Studios

Street photography can provide an unfiltered view at the heartbeat of a city, displaying a vast array of human emotions. Still in the Streets features the work of four generations of street photographers, from the 1930s until today.

Photographing the Natural World

April 7 from 8–11 a.m. | Cache Creek Conservancy, Woodland

This three-hour workshop at the Cache Creek Conservancy in Woodland will cover the underpinning field skills necessary for both landscape and wildlife photography. Subjects will include equipment, camera technique, strategy for selecting a subject, exposure, and more, with 90 minutes of instruction and 90 minutes of field work.

Studio Lighting: Hands On Approach

April 9 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Viewpoint Photographic Art Center

This hands-on workshop will delve into the nuts-and-bolts information needed to create stunning portrait images and how to work with lighting. Topics covered will include posing models and model etiquette, creating catchlights in eyes, and a variety of lighting techniques.

Sacramento After Dark Exhibit

April 10–May 5 | Viewpoint Photographic Art Center

Inspired by the Instagram page, Sac After Dark, this exhibit features a curation of the best night photographs from the account. It will include landscapes, abstract images, portraits and more — all captured from sunset to the early dawn hours. Guests will enjoy a selection of wine and craft beer, light appetizers, and an array of desserts.

Sacramento State Spring Salon

April 11 from 6–8 p.m. | Sacramento State Robert Else Gallery

A post shared by Sacramento State (@sacstate) on Jan 30, 2018 at 11:15am PST

Admire the work of talented photography students at this lively and informal exhibition in the lovely Robert Else Gallery at Sacramento State.

Photographing People Workshop

April 14 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Historic Locke, Walnut Grove

Using examples of others’ and his own work, photographer James Motlow will lead this workshop on photographing people. Learn from this talented photographer then try your hand at photographing fellow participants as your subject.

Photo Fête

April 26 from 6–9 p.m. | Crocker Art Museum

Photo Courtesy of the Crocker Art Museum

This celebratory event at the Crocker will feature pop-up exhibits, games, Instagram scavenger hunts, selfie opportunities, mini-talks, diorama workshops, sneak peeks from the museum’s photo vault, and much more. Enjoy DJ music, beer, wine, drink specials and lots of food!

Looking for more fun things to do this month?

There are so many exciting events happening in the Sacramento this April!