They hail from Boothbay, South Portland, Chelsea, Jefferson, Camden, Winthrop, East Livermore, Augusta and Harpswell. Several have been around for the Maine Photography Show's nine years. Photography is a big part of their lives and serving on a committee that showcases the work of others is passion.

They are 10 in number and choosing the image for the annual show catalog is just one of the many tasks they share.

"They" are the Maine Photography Show committee of volunteers, and when Volunteer Recognition Week rolls around, they will be spending their time hanging and opening the 9th Annual Maine Photography Show in Boothbay Harbor.

Steve Dunn of Chelsea, an impressionist photographer who has been called "Monet with a camera" and one of the original committee members, bought into the late Jim Taliana's concept of staging a show just for Maine photographers similar to those for painters. Taliana envisioned such a show would inspire Maine photographers of all ages and increase interest in the art of photography in the state of Maine. It has. Dunn is the committee's engine when it comes to finding jurors.

"I have had the opportunity to work with truly wonderful and creative people from museum curators to world renown photographers," he said. In 2014 he has been working with Freeman Patterson.

Chairman for six of the nine MPS shows, nature photographer Bruce Burnham of Boothbay, also bought into Taliana's vision. Taliana and Burnham were both members of Boothbay Region Art Foundation, the annual presenter of the show and home to the yearly three week gallery exhibit.

"As the local person, it makes sense for me to be the chair. The show planning needs attention year-round," Burnham said. "And, it's been great growing with the rest of the committee over the years. My favorite aspect is meeting the photographers who submit their work and matching them to their image. I am always astounded by the wonderful and creative images we as a committee get to view."

Past MPS chairman, past president of the Maine Professional Photographer's Association, Maine Professional Photographer of the Year and wedding and portrait photographer LeeAnn LaFleur of East Livermore, also enjoys meeting the photographers and the challenges that come with hanging the images selected for the show.

Behind the scenes, many tasks are done to focus beyond the camera. Landscape photographer David Hodsdon of Jefferson came on board because "there was a need for someone with computer word processing and data manipulation skills.”

“As a retired engineer, I very much enjoy technical challenges," Hodson said. Camden's Norbert Leser maintains the event's website. Zoe Theberge of Harpswell looks for sponsorship opportunities. Boothbay's Peggy Powis produces the annual video. Freestyle photographer Sandy Wescott, South Portland, said she likes sending all the acceptance letters out, seeing all the prints as they trickle in, and hanging the show.

Augusta based nature photographer Linwood Riggs creates and edits MPS documents, prints the gallery tags, and assists with mailings and hanging the artwork. His huge contribution often comes with the thankless job of proofreading.

Large format, film-based classic black and white landscape photographer Bob Darby of Winthrop likes the size of the show — just over 100 selections. His personal photography (the slow pace of the large format) gives him time to look, to see and "enjoy where I am," he said. "When I spent some time with the Navajos they said I walked in beauty."

With the patience and desire to enjoy where he is, Darby has become the committee's producer of the annual show catalog. Each image gets his full and patient attention. And the catalog is always a walk in beauty.

Picking the cover of the catalog allows all members of the MPS committee to walk in beauty. The 2014 winner will not be announced until the invitation-only opening night awards reception; otherwise this release would have needed a "spoiler alert" at its top.

The 9th Annual Maine Photography Show opens to the public on Saturday, April 12 at Boothbay Region Art Foundation in downtown Boothbay Harbor. Admission is free, but catalogs are not; they are available after April 11 for $29.95, plus $5 shipping. To insure availability they should be preordered through Boothbay Region Art Foundation at the number below.

Check the 2014 Maine Photography Show website for more information (and to say hello to Norbert!) at www.mainephotographyshow.com. Any questions can be directed to Chairman Bruce Burnham 207-380-1863 or Boothbay Region Art Foundation at 207-633-2703.