The fourth annual Focus on the Story International Photo Festival kicks off in June with exhibits, photo walks, virtual talks and a special presentation of the 2021 Exposed DC Photography Show, along with the return of Glen Echo Photoworks’ popular Photo Slam competition.
Exposed DC is partnering with Focus on the Story and Lost Origins Gallery to present an outdoor installation in Mount Pleasant, featuring the winners of Exposed’s 15th annual photography contest.
The exhibit, which will be installed on the exterior wall of Elle’s restaurant, will open with a 3 p.m., June 6 outdoor event. Photo walks will take place in Mount Pleasant before the opening, and later that evening, Glen Echo Photoworks will present their annual Photo Slam competition, with the judging to be streamed live from Lost Origins Gallery in Mount Pleasant.

The kick-off celebration marks the return of in-person events for the photo festival, which moved online last year during the pandemic lockdown.
Exposed DC’s annual show stands out because it shines a spotlight on life in the DC metro area as seen through the lenses of some of the region’s most passionate amateur and professional photographers, alike. The show includes unique takes on the capital’s iconic locations, as well as everyday scenes captured outside of the tourist bubble. You can preview this year’s winners, here.
In the Photo Slam competition, photographers will vie for slots in a 2022 gallery show at Photoworks at Glen Echo Park. Registration information is here.
This year’s Focus on the Story International Photo Festival will also include in-person and virtual exhibits in partnership with the Art Museum of the Americas, the Swedish Embassy, Bammy’s Restaurant at Yards Park, the Washington Blade/Dupont Underground, Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center and the IMF-World Bank’s International Photographic Society.
The speaker lineup for this year’s festival will be announced soon.