New collectors of photography have lots to look forward to in the lineup of fall benefit auctions this year. To launch the season, one of New York’s most astute collectors, Joseph Baio, opened his home and his collection on Monday evening, offering advice and inspiration. The event honored Camera Club of New York (CCNY), now in its 127^th year, and it’s programs, which include a course on collecting that has been widely imitated.

Left: Martine Fougeron, Adrian Bathing, from the Tete a Tete series, in the Joseph Baio Collection; courtesy and copyright the photographer. Right: Shen Wei, Half Moon Pond, Hongcun, Anhni Province, 2008, in Aperture’s Silent Auction.

Joe, as he’s known in the photo world, talked about how he came to assemble a large collection of images, over 200 of which are always on display throughout his high-ceilinged apartment. A lawyer by trade, he got badly bitten by the photo-bug when his children came along. On realizing that making good photographs took more than simply shooting lots of film on family vacations, he enrolled in courses at the International Center of Photography to hone his skills.

One workshop was taught by Sally Mann, for which she brought in a series of images showing how she had struggled to get what she wanted in the last nude photo of her son. “Any one of her so-called ‘failures,’” said Joe, “would have been a lifetime achievement for those of us in her class.” He then realized that he would be better served by learning how to become a great collector, rather than a maker, of photographs. He started a notable collection that spans the history of the medium, largely comprised of images of children and adolescents.

In addition to Joe’s guided tour of the collection, Allen Frame, CCNY board president, talked about CCNY’s commitment to emerging artists, from the beginning to the end of their careers, then introduced Alice S. Zimet, who teaches Collecting Photography: Beginner Basics.

So if you are ready to make the leap, here’s the lineup of upcoming benefit auctions and a number of special events especially tailored for new photography collectors.

Friday, September 23, 6-9 pm: Opening reception, Center for Photography at Woodstock 33rd Annual Benefit Preview
Saturday, 11am-8pm: preview. Saturday, 5-7 pm: Collecting Photographs 101 with Alice S. Zimet, followed by a panel discussion with Howard Greenberg, WM Hunt and guests. Sunday, September 25, 11am-5 pm: Preview. 111 Front Street, Suite 200, DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY. Information. Preview the 2011 auction.

Monday, October 3: George Eastman House Benefit Auction. Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18^th Street, NY, NY. Click for information about bidding. Preview events include conversations with photographers and Anthony Bannon, the Fieldig Director of Eastman House, a walk-through with Willis E. Hartshorn, Ehrenkranz Director, International Center of Photography, and more. Information.

Sunday, October 9: Center for Photography at Woodstock Benefit Auction, honoring Fred Baldwin & Wendy Watriss, founders of Houston Photofest. Bearsvill Theater, 291 Tinker Street (Route 212), Bearsville, NY 12498. Information and Tickets. The auction preview takes place this weekend during the DUMBO Arts Festival, at 111 Front Street, Suite, 200, Brooklyn, NY. Information.

October 12, 7 pm: WM Hunt in conversation with Susan Bright about building a collection. SVA Theater, 333 West 23^rd Street, NY, NY. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, October 15: Photographic Resource Center Benefit Auction. 808 Gallery at Boston University, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. Information. Preview exhibition, October 7-14, Information. Collecting workshop with Alice Zimet. Register.

Monday, October 17: Aperture Foundation Benefit Auction, honoring Bruce Davidson, Gerhard Steidl, and Robert Anthoine, and Snap! New Collectors Program Benefit Party. Click for auction preview and online bidding. The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. Click for information and tickets..

Monday, November 7, 6-8pm: Camera Club of New York Benefit Auction. 25 CPW Gallery, 25 Central Park West, (corner of 62^nd Street) NY, NY. Information.

Saturday, December 3: SF Camerawork Benefit Auction. Details to come.

And this, just in: An opportunity to view 60 images from the Walthur Collection is yours, starting this week, with the opening of an exhibition, Portraiture and Social Identity, photographs by Malian photographer Seydou Keita and German photographer August Sander (curated by Okwui Enwezor). On view Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 6pm, until January 7, 2012. The Walthur Collection Project Space, 526 West 26^th Street, Suite 718, NY, NY.

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