London Calling - How I made it to international galler(ies)!

Dina Kharag
Aug 1
4 min read

Photo on the London Eye overlooking the River Thames, Mar 2026

Yes, you read that right. I CAN NOW CLAIM I AM AN INTERNATIONAL GALLERY PHOTOGRAPHER! And not just in one, but FOUR international galleries! Aside from London, my photos were enrolled in photo galleries in Japan, Italy, and France that all coincided with the UK showing.

So how did I get this opportunity? Well, let me tell you!

With getting my start in photography, my vision was to pursue fine arts more, which included looking out for galleries, contests, and open calls; I consistently peruse for open calls. Whenever it's locally on a flyer, online on Instagram, or on an open call website like CaFE, I keep my eyes open to get my photographs seen by others. My curiosity for feedback and knowing how others see my art has always been my driving force to build, create, and improve myself as a photographer.

At the time, I was focused on this photograph that I took during the Covid-19 pandemic. I was focused on this photograph because I felt compelled by the composition of the piece, including the contrast of the darks, whites, and greys with the peaks of the droplets from the water, overflowing to the foreground of the picture. I also love the details of the piece, from the rain jacket to the windows. Yeah, you get it.

This led me to try to get this photograph seen locally in my hometown, San Francisco. I found the opportunity with the DeYoung Museum having an Open Call in 2023. My curiosity got too ambitious: printing on professional paper, upscale to 30 inches, custom-built a frame, and sent it to the Open Call. This also led me to connect to the local photography community in San Francisco, where I received feedback that the photograph was well received. This was my downfall, as I was too confident that my photo was going to be selected. Sadly, though, I was declined, and the photograph was not chosen. This crushed my spirit for a while, making me feel I did not have what it takes to be an art photographer.

Then, a couple of years go by, and I changed my focus to my other career, working in the medical field as a child life specialist. This photo remained hanging at my childhood home, gathering dust. When the home eventually got sold, my mother had no space to hold on to it (because yeah, too big!), and it was passed on to a friend who is also another photographer and videographer. For a bit, it lived in the Presidio in San Francisco, where I was told people stopped to admire the photo, and even inquired if it was available for purchase. It then eventually made its debut at an exhibition that happened to be located at the Presidio through the nonprofit ArtSeed.

This experience really opened my eyes to how my art can be received by the public in a positive way. I even was asking by the public if I plan to make new art to be seen. This was something I never thought; I could impact my community with my art. However, little did I know, it was just the beginning.

This feeling of euphoria didn't leave me, and it instead created this new need, desire for my art to be shared with the world.

While doomscrolling on Instagram (like how we all do), I discovered a gallery in Japan with a focus on local and international artists. Known as Ephemere, a French word for ephemeral, for short-time or fleeting, the organization grabbed my attention immediately. I was so fascinated by the artists they showcased, and the ideas for the open calls were always intriguing or unique. Then, in November 2025, I saw that they had an open call for black and white photos. At the time, I hesitated as I wasn't sure if my photographs would be accepted or even seen as something more than what I received from my family, friends, and strangers in San Francisco. Can people see my artwork as worthy of a gallery? With a moment of courage, I gave it a try. I sent 5 entries, for only one to be picked, hopefully. Thousands were submitted but only around 100 would be selected. I waited eagerly for any updates or news of the selection process, seeing if I can have some inclination that it would be chosen. But none was given, Only time remained.

I waited til the deadline, February 2026 and that's when I received the greatest news of my life. My photograph not only got picked for all four international galleries, but it was printed in a journal in Japan that could be purchased world wide. I felt so much excitement, joy, and euphoria that my artwork is going to be seen around the world! Something that I would never have thought in my wildest dreams. With the gallery opening being in March, I made quick arrangements to see if I can make to any of the showcases. Unfortunately, due to the last minuteness of it all, I couldn't afford to go to Japan, but I was still so excited to go the UK to see the gallery while also stopping to see some sights along the way.

Oh, god! It was an amazing experience! Going to a place I never been before, meeting the locals, seeing they interacted with the art, meeting another photographer who also had his work chosen for the gallery. And even reconnecting with a friend who was studying abroad and was able to come with me too. It was just PERFECT! I also posted my feelngs about what I experienced on my Instagram.

To see all of the photos I took while in the United Kingdom, look at the album I shared here.