So I started off writing this post thinking that I wouldn’t have anything much to link to, but looking back at this year’s posts I surprised myself. Despite my new-Mommy lifestyle, enrolling in graduate school for my MFA and a few personal struggles, I managed to keep this blog afloat with some good content.

Here are a few headlines of note:

Bonham’s Auction in Dubai Signals Demand for Middle Eastern Photography

Get a wake up call with this guest post by photographer Sinden Collier, Copyright Insurance – Protect Your Work. That said, I’d like to have more! Feel free to contact me with any submissions for guest posts on this blog.

Following his release from prison came the Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei: New York Photographs 1983–1993 show at the Asia Society in NYC.

Dawoud Bey, Eli Reed (both African-American) and Nobuyoshi Araki (Japanese) all honored at the 9th Annual Lucie Awards this year.

Global Launch of HistoryPin, powered by Google – this social media site invites you to share your old photographs with the world.

My two “fototazo f100” picks of photographers who deserve more recognition.

This year my interviews broke the photographer mold to get some insight from those on the business side of photography, which I’d like to continue as a new series on the blog. Check out my interview with photography consultant Marc Prüst and gallerist Jennie Ricketts.

2011 Photographer Interviews
As I continue to seek out great photography, I always get in contact with established and emerging artists that support this blog by being interviewed. Check out this year’s interview listed below and remember you can always access the archive of all Dodge & Burn photographer interviews.

• Camille Seaman (USA) found herself lost in the Arctic which inspired her to become a photographer.
• Albert Chong (Jamaica/USA) deals with race, identity, multiculturalism and other human interest issues in his elaborate, fine art work.
• DeAndre DaCosta (USA) is a fierce fashion photographer on the rise. Note to VOGUE magazine: DeAndre is one to watch!
• Marcia Michael (UK) a fine art photographer whom I also profiled this year in the Society for Photographic Education‘s exposure journal.
• Carol Sachs (Brazil/UK) still uses her first film camera (a Pentax K-1000) for editorial assignments.
• Chester Higgins, Jr (USA), a two part interview with the first African-American photographer hired at The New York Times.
• Roxana Marroquin (El Salvador/USA) has developed a personal, dream-like style to her work that memorializes her personal experience as an immigrant.
• André França (Brazil) photographs Barbie dolls frozen in water and they’re beautiful!
• Mambu Badu Collective (USA), bold soul sisters who are doing it for themselves by publishing an online magazine featuring women photographers of African descent. Submit to their 2nd issue by January 5th, 2012.
• Nadirah Zakariya (Malaysia/USA) takes photographs of children that look like their frozen in water.
• Ayana V Jackson (USA/South Africa) graciously shares her account as both an artist exhibiting at and visiting the 2011 Paris Photo festival.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!
This new year is already chock full for me – juggling classes every day, an internship, freelance writing, my own daily artistic practice and of course my more humbling roles at home.

Happy New Year to you all and thanks for being such wonderful readers… I wish you a very inspiring, productive and creative 2012.

Much LOVE,
Qiana Mestrich

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