My father-in-law was a professional film editor. As you can imagine, his photos are excellent. He taught classes for many years, won contests, and gave travel talks at the libraries in the area.
My husband (also a semi-professional photographer) took all his film, slides and scans when he died, with the intent to sort it and find a home for things. Unfortunately, my husband passed away only a few years after his dad. I am left with an entire bedroom full of prints, slides, negatives and digitized media.
I’d like to do the right thing with it. My lovely FIL traveled the globe and shot images everywhere. However, I know that his pictures of Cambodia are probably like anyone else’s pictures.
Should I throw it all away? Are there stock photo houses that would like it? I’m not looking to make money (although I wouldn’t turn it down if offered). I’d just like to see his life’s work go somewhere. There is only one brother and he has no interest in any of it.
Advice?
If he taught classes, get in touch with the school. If he won contests, get in touch with whatever organization held them. And libraries would also be a good option. Any documentation of your husband inheriting them and subsequently you inheriting them will help if you intend to publish or sell them.
I had a teacher who passed away who was a very talented photographer. His family put some of his work up for sale in a gallery and there was a show. It was a great opportunity for friends and family to get together and celebrate his life and his work.
What kind of photography was it? Travel? How much material are we talking about? How much effort are you willing to put in to do something meaningful with it? Please don’t just throw it out!