LONDON.- For the third consecutive sold-out year, the LOOK3 Festival of the Photograph will welcome over a thousand photographers and enthusiasts for 3 days of exhibitions, outdoor projections, workshops, interviews with legendary photographers and special events that will transform downtown Charlottesville, Virginia into a "living image." This year's festival will take place June 11 - 13, 2009.

LOOK3 is thrilled to feature three seminal photographers in 2009: Martin Parr, Gilles Peress, and Sylvia Plachy.

Each evening of the Festival, as part of LOOK3's "INsight Conversations" series in the historic Paramount Theater, one of these three artists will share images and stories from their careers behind the camera. In addition to a stunning visual presentation of the artist's work, the audience is treated to a rare opportunity to hear a photographic legend speak candidly about influences, process, and inspirations. Each will also mount a solo exhibition in a local gallery.

The LOOK3 Festival is an outgrowth of the "Hotshots" parties that National Geographic Photographer and Editor-at-Large, Michael "Nick" Nichols hosted in his backyard for the last twenty years. The intimate, informal, and communal spirit of those gatherings continues today at the Festival of the Photograph. The LOOK3 name signifies "3 days of peace, love, and photography" featuring 3 renowned photographers.

"LOOK3 was born out of the need to maintain community amongst photographers and I'm amazed at what the Festival has become," says Nichols. "I love that we now get to share that community with the public which only expands the support system. People leave Charlottesville feeling inspired, like they have a big family, and nothing makes me happier."

Nichols is Co-Executive Director of the LOOK3 Festival, along with Jessica Nagle, Co-Founder of SNL Financial of Charlottesville. The Festival's Board of Advisors includes: Melissa Harris, Editor-in-Chief of Aperture Magazine, Scott Thode, Director of Photography at Fortune Magazine, and David Griffin, Director of Photography at National Geographic Magazine.