Dear friends,
this is part two of Beyond Instagram, a series exploring the different ways and philosophies to promote your work on- and offline. But first let me introduce todays newsletter with a little trip down memory lane:
I graduated in graphic design in 2010, during which I developed a bigger interest in photography as a possible career. In 2011 I met my wife, who studied graphic design too and shared the same passion for photography. We talked a lot about our favorite photographers at this time, sitting in the corner of our favorite bar and one night the idea for a blog called CULT was born. First, we wanted to share the work of photographers we liked in a Tumblr-like layout, but soon we felt the need to dig deeper and connect actively with people that inspired us.
This was the prime time of blogs and online magazines, Instagram wasn’t a huge thing yet. We conducted interviews with photographers soon after, followed by various people on the commissioning side of the industry, like photo editors and art buyers. We mostly asked personal questions on their approach to create and commission photography, the obstacles they faced on their way and the views they had on the state of the industry. And to be honest, most of the people we asked for an interview were beyond willing to share their experiences and open in their response.
Asides from the deep insights we received for ourselves as newbies in the industry, we made a bunch of contacts and met people online that we wouldn’t have access to in the traditional way. We met photo editors that discovered our own work through the blog, but we weren’t marketing our own pictures aggressively. And there was absolutely no need to.
We rather shared our own curiosity and the questions we had in our own heads and our own struggles reflected in the interviews we made for the blog. There has never been advertising on the site, no product placements, sponsored content or tacky camera reviews. All of the content was free to read for anybody, and as honest as possible.
Of course this was no sustainable business model in a traditional sense. But it was made by heart and it gave us so much more than just monetary benefit.
Eventually we had to give up blogging, just for the simple fact that both of our photography careers started to gain traction, and we simply had less time at hand to feed the blog with content, to handle the increasing amount of editorial choices and submissions.
But we always looked back at the times when we did the blog as the beginning of a serious relationship with the medium we loved. And the people behind it.
Eventually, we decided to turn the already very active user-base of CULT into a facebook group with the same name that still exists today and is indeed very active.
It is a safe space for photographers and photo editors alike. A space to share and discover work, to commission editorial and commercial jobs and deep discussions on topics that matter. We also had a couple of in-person meetups with panel discussions and parties. A group of like minded individuals was formed that turned into collaborators, mentors, business partners and friends.
The photography industry sometimes still feels just as difficult to crack and it can be a cold place where everyone keeps the knowledge to themselves. But watching the group develop over time and seeing a great amount of help and advice being shared generously among the members of the group taught me: There is indeed a place to open up about anything related to the photography community.
Generosity and respect among the members was key, and our core group of admins did a great job to moderate if discussions got too rough, or people started to misbehave.
Then Covid hit, and for the first time we had to cancel in-person meetups, rather focused on connecting online. We experimented with Clubhouse, Discord, and different ways to connect more closely, and I personally have to admit that I enjoyed it pretty much. But it wasn’t the same as meeting face to face.
It was comforting to see the members of the group talk about their anxiety, their struggles and again seeing people generously sharing all the knowledge necessary to navigate these troubling times.
Without hesitation or compensation. Engaging in a truly supportive manner and maintaining a culture of respect.
GENEROSITY
I think, in some way or another, all meaningful connections in life come from an idea of generosity.
Generosity can help to bring people together and to build long-term relationships. Generosity is entering into someone else’s story. It’s connecting our life story with theirs. Giving generously to someone in need or taking time to listen to someone’s concern, for that moment enables us to enter into their world and connects us together. Coming together through an act of generosity strengthens our relationships and builds community.
On the other hand, especially at the beginning of my career, and sometimes even up until today, i perceive it as an act of generosity when a new client or magazine approaches me for a commission. And although there is monetary compensation, it’s still a mutual exchange of trust and skill on a personal level.
Monetary benefits are only one side of the coin to look at, on the other side for me is the personal relationship with people that I work for and with.
When I was starting out and receiving the first magazine commissions, I got approached by the photo editor of one of Germany’s biggest tabloid papers to shoot a portrait commission for them. Usually regarded of being on the blacklist of most national photographers for inconsistent (to say at least…) journalistic integrity, I nonetheless made the decision to go with it.
Especially because the photo editor that approached me, Jeanette Rode, trusted me so much in my, at that time very limited, creative capabilities. We met a couple of times in person, had too much coffee and long talks together, and our mutual sympathy grew. Soon after, she became creative photo director at another magazine and she continued to introduce me to a lot of people in the editorial photography world. And one of my favorite travel stories that I ever did was commissioned by her.
Sadly, she died from cancer in 2019. But I will be forever grateful in the role she played for my development as a photographer, opening the gates for many opportunities that came after. Her generosity and trust were one of the biggest gifts she could give me as a rookie photographer and she will be forever missed.
This reminds me of one of the biggest lessons I learned over the years: Treat everyone with respect because you never know who they may grow up to be.
Your network influences who you are and shapes who you will become. Meaningful relationships require generosity, vulnerability, candor and accountability.
MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
In today’s social media realm, attention has become currency. The only thing wrong with this construct, besides its lifespan, is its conversion in the real world.
Measuring your worth as a photographer in numbers of followers and likes you receive can have a drastic effect on how you view your own work and the steps you take to advance it. Instead of focussing on the work you want to make, instead of choosing your audience for yourself, you can easily fall into the trap to produce work that the algorithm wants to see in order to be seen.
And the biggest shortcut to meaningful connections after creating the work that brings you joy is to be generous. Share your process, share your failures, the things you learned, your anxiety and the joy of working on your personal way of looking at the world. Be open and helpful and a resource for others.
Instead of focussing on your follower count, focus on doing the work that you want to do and truly engage with your audience.
See you in two weeks…or sooner...or later.
— Ramon
THINGS I’VE LEARNED / DISCOVERED THIS WEEK.
This is an ongoing collection of stuff that I’ve learned or discovered over the last two weeks. A regular collection that caught my attention and tickled my brain, or simply proved to be useful for me and that I want to share with you.
1 - JOEL PULLIAM
I recently discovered Joel Pulliam’s Newsletter on Substack. Joel is a street photographer in Tokyo. He is regularly writing about thoughts on photography and the Japanese photography scene.
2 - PAUL GRAHAM: ADVICE TO THE YOUNG
“Your work will be crap at first, but just weight through it, just keep going”
Advice to the young by photographer Paul Graham on the brilliant Louisiana Channel. Watch the full Interview here. (found via Robert Rieger)
3 - CASEY NEISTAT - INSTAGRAM I LOVE YOU (2012)
Just watch THIS to feel old, and drool a little. The logo, the phones, the content. And i truly hope that the hamster is still alive…
4 - DANGER MOUSE & BLACK THOUGHT - CHEAT CODES
I was socialized by the Punk and Hardcore scene. Rap wasn’t a huge thing for me, although I liked and appreciated a few albums here and there. This particular one by Danger Mouse & Black Thought hit me right in the guts. Regularly playing back and forth while doing tricky edits. Or trying to write tricky newsletters.
Stream it here. Or find out more here.
thank you :)
Thank you Ramon <3