Big Studio holds Push Pin Show

When Nathan Stoan moved from Chicago to Atlanta to study photography, he wasn't sure it was the best career choice.

"I was worried at first that I should go to New York," said Stoan, 34. But since arriving in the city to study at the Portfolio Center,  Stoan has done shoots for celebrities, musicians and fashion -- which is exactly what he wanted to do.

On Saturday, Stoan will hang "Love," his photograph of a tulip, on the walls of Big Studio during its first Push Pin Show. He joins other photographers and creative types hoping to gain feedback on their work, enjoy a bit of camaraderie and, maybe, take home a little extra cash.

"Outside of Atlanta, people don't necessarily think Atlanta is the next photo capital of America, but that doesn't mean good things aren't going on," said studio manager Meghan McNeer, who coordinated the show. The idea, she said, was to have an event specifically for emerging photographers in the city.

Unlike a gallery show, the requirements for this Push Pin Show are minimal: a  photo, a bottle of wine and a selling price. Participating photographers get to keep all of the proceeds from their work,  McNeer said, and the public gets a chance to see what Atlanta's photography scene has to offer.

In the five years since Liz Von Hoene has owned Big Studio, the space in King Plow Arts Center has been used primarily for rentals -- an expense most emerging photographers can't afford, McNeer said. Push Pin shows are something studios will do every now and then to encourage industry up and comers to come out.

"We are all working in vacuums," McNeer said. "We're hoping this will open up a new meeting ground."

Event Preview

Big Studio Push Pin Show

7-10 p.m. Saturday.

King Plow Arts Center

Big Studio, 887 West Marietta St., Studio E