Join an Intimate, Inspirational Photo Community

One that’s right out your front door

Close to Home is an online community for photography enthusiasts from around the world to get to know each other, share their work, and find inspiration.

This community is for anyone who wants to connect with others through photography and storytelling — and to make lifelong friends along the way.

You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have impressive equipment. Some of the most impactful photographers in this community began as beginners, but with an artistic enthusiasm, a drive to learn, and the urge to comment on the world around them.

While we certainly talk about technical matters, the spirit of the salon lies in getting to know each other through our photography and our thoughts. It’s about exploring and pushing yourself more than taking a sharp photo — about becoming more intentional with what we say through our photography.

Some of the most moving work comes from the places most familiar to you. While all types of photography are welcome here, the spirit of the salon is about weaving photography more regularly into your life.

And this group is also about friendship. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a city, a suburb, or a rural area. We have members from all types of places.

"This site feels like a treasure chest with riches and surprises of all kinds. James, I appreciate how you continually fuel us, expand our thinking, and propel our craft forward. "

Lisa Levine

Manhattan, NY

"I must repeat: This Salon has meant more to my photography in this short time than all the pages and books and 'self teaching sessions' I have ever gone through. I am not exaggerating!"

Niels Krarup Jessen

Helsingør, Denmark

Here's How it Works

Click the email link and send me a quick note about joining.

I’ll ask you a bit about yourself and your photography, then send you a signup link. The first month is free and cancel anytime.
Fill out your profile and you can start posting and interacting immediately.
We also have regular Zoom hangouts, photo book viewings, and consistent group challenges — we study both new and classic books regularly. And we create occasional Salon zines.
There are no contests. In the salon, we don’t believe in contests or competing. The only thing we compete at is getting our cameras out the front door, regularly.
Salon Member Map — see if there are members near you to meet up and shoot with.
The primary goal is self-discovery and opening up.

The Story Behind Close To Home

The idea for Close to Home came during the beginning of the pandemic. Normally not one to lack inspiration, I was chasing a toddler around all day, feeling like I’d lost the zip in my spirit, and looking for something stimulating.

But then I realized: it wasn’t my camera that was lacking — it was my artistic community.

So I looked to the photographers on my Glass City newsletter for inspiration.

I created a contest called Close to Home, where everyone could send in 5 photographs taken within 5 blocks of their home, or within their home. The results were astounding.

Hundreds of photographers sent in a fascinating variety of work from all over the world. The winner’s photographs were taken entirely within his home.

I received so many emails about how the contest opened people’s eyes to what existed right outside their front door — it brought excitement and possibility back into their photography. I was blown away that so many people were feeling the same way I was.

So I thought, let’s keep this going. And I’ve been excited to walk out the door ever since.

Testimonials

"The Close to Home Photo Salon has become a daily source of joy for me - a place where creative expression is celebrated! James has designed a thoughtful, well-organized forum, which provides resources and photo challenges that I wouldn't have found elsewhere. It is a pleasure looking through and offering feedback about others’ images.

The process sharpens my eyes, deepens my understanding of this visually and emotionally satisfying art form, and inspires me to take risks in my own work. Members of this forum are talented and generous with their time, as is James, who sets an example with his warm, enthusiastic energy."

Lisa Levine

Manhattan, NY

"The Salon is a community of enthusiastic, creative, and talented photographers. James’ concept for this on-line forum is engaging, inspiring and challenging in the most positive way. Over a very short time, I’ve begun to explore the world through my camera lenses in many different and exciting ways.

The opportunities to learn and grow through this forum are endless. If you are interested in meeting amazing photographers from all over the world and expanding your horizons, the Home Photo Salon is for you."

Nancy Auestad

St. George, UT

"I’ve found the Salon to be a unique place to connect with other photographers and talk about pictures in depth - theirs and mine. It’s a place where feedback is more than a like. It’s a real community of photographers of all levels working together to make better pictures. It’s exactly what I was hoping for."

Larry Felton

Albany, NY

"When it comes to bringing people together and sharing inspiration, James is making this happen with his Close to Home Photo Salon. I've met photographers from all backgrounds and levels - personally I have been very inspired by the diverse viewpoints and resources that James offers on a regular basis."

Vin Sharma

Brooklyn, NY

"Imagine the best of connecting with other photographers without the annoyances of social media - James has created a magic platform where we photographers can be inspired, genuinely connect with people from all parts of the world, and get support in our journey."

Emily Passino

Nashville, TN

About James Maher

I’m a documentary and commercial photographer, city historian and writer, and street photographer. I’ve been photographing New York for the past 20 years — extensively, in both the busiest areas of Manhattan and the quietest corners of Brooklyn.

I’ve also been a certified New York City tour guide for nearly 20 years, leading walks and photography workshops through the neighborhoods and history of the city. I’ve taught close to a thousand photographers since 2011, in private and group settings, from all over the world and at every skill level — and because I teach the history alongside the photography, people leave knowing the buildings, the streets, and the stories behind what they photographed.

Those years of workshops taught me something I didn’t expect: not just how to connect with all types of photographers, but how to understand what motivates each one — and how to help them build on it.

I write about photography, creativity, and the city in Glass City, my twice-monthly newsletter that goes out to around 13,000 photographers. It was that community that sparked Close to Home — what started as a one-time project during the pandemic has become the ongoing salon you see here.