Meet Emily Akil of FotoFocus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Akil.

Hi Emily, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Prior to working at FotoFocus, I spent 10 years working in Higher Education. After completing an MBA while working at Miami University, I was ready to go in a new direction and came across the job posting for my current role, Communications and Outreach Manager at FotoFocus.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
FotoFocus is in the midst of an exciting organizational transition—we now have our own facility, FotoFocus Center, a nearly 15,000-square-foot building dedicated to photography and lens-based exhibitions with related programming. FotoFocus Center opened May 29, 2026 with our inaugural exhibition, “Big Tent.” We are, however, now onto our second in-house exhibition as part of the 2026 Biennial, “Trevor Paglen: the most merciful thing in the world.”

Managing the Biennial is no small feat for the FotoFocus team (8 full-time staff, 3 part-time, and 1 contractor). As a month-long celebration of photography with 74 exhibitions, there are more than 100 associated events at our Biennial Venues. Our team, however, does a wonderful job building and strengthening community partnerships with organizations across the region.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
FotoFocus was founded in 2010 with the goal to celebrate photography and lens-based art while connecting local, regional, national, and international communities. One of our main programs is the FotoFocus Biennial, which is currently in its eighth iteration, themed “The Long View.” The 2026 FotoFocus Biennial encompasses 74 exhibitions at 65 venues. Not only does the FotoFocus team develop thoughtful programming, the organization also serves as a granting institution and has awarded more than 600 grants to support partners presenting projects and educational programs that are accessible and engaging to the public.

FotoFocus programming is free and open to the public—a conscious decision so that anyone interested is invited to attend programming, visit FotoFocus Center during public hours, and engage with all 65 Biennial Venues during the month of October.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Maybe it was good luck that I came across the FotoFocus job posting on LinkedIn back in 2022. I certainly am glad to be a part of this incredible organization with wonderful colleagues.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fotofocus.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fotofocuscincinnati/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FotoFocusCincinnati/