I searched for emerging talents to showcase their work. One recent graduate student had what I thought was the perfect image. She was quick to reply via email (an influential factor for projects on a deadline); but, sadly, she was unprepared for a potential sale. Her website and messaging was solid, and she appeared professional — as do many photographers online. However, she had gaps in her knowledge regarding licensing her work for commercial use. Another frequent occurrence I have seen is the exploitation of eager emerging artists with promises of payment in the form of “exposure.” Sadly, student loans and rent cannot be paid with exposure as currency. Working with emerging artists is a cost-effective solution to raise money for great causes, however, often this effort costs artists money (in the form of printing and framing expenses) with very little return. Bearing witness to this made me wonder: What if we could find a way to raise money for a charity without costing artists anything? What if we could create an online offering? What if the offering could be made affordable to more people? The PhotoEd Platform Project originated from these combined ideas. The website promotes Canadian photographers by creating an online gallery for their work that collectively elevates their images in a commercial marketplace, supported by a philanthropic and educational ethos.
PhotoEd PLATFORM ARTISTS INCLUDE: Calgarian KEVIN J. MELLIS swapped a digital camera for large format film apparatus in 2012. Mellis is a medical social worker in the largest trauma centre in Southern Alberta. Having witnessed thousands of deaths since joining the trauma team, he finds solace in the photographic process, meticulously crafting images exploring life’s forgotten or overlooked details.
By purchasing a print or licensing a photo for commercial use, YOU contribute to helping a new generation of image-makers grow. The PhotoEd Platform Project sparks relationships between new photography practitioners, the community, and the commercial creative industry. Submissions to the PhotoEd Platform Project are free for photographers. The first PhotoEd Platform Project collection was based on the theme, Nourish. Images were selected by an expert jury including art directors, photographers, and photo editors from across Canada. Photographers shared images of what nourished their bodies, minds, and spirits. The collection as a whole speaks to a beautiful national contemporary vision of what visually nourishes us. By purchasing a digital photo for personal screen use, anyone can contribute to the work of Food Banks Canada. During the Food Banks donation period, 100 percent of the proceeds from every screen-use download ($5) goes to Food Banks Canada. What nourishes us all can nourish the community. Images are also available on the website for digital commercial use and as fine-art print sales. By purchasing a print or licensing a photo for commercial use, you contribute to helping a new generation of imagemakers grow.
Canadian photographers can watch out for future Call for Submissions announcements by signing up for the PhotoEd Magazine e-newsletter or by following us via social media at:
@photoedmagazine @PhotoEd PLATFORM @photoed PLATFORM
KASHA SEQUOIA SLAVNER is a photographer who has produced a feature documentary film on global citizenship called The Sunrise Storyteller ©. She is a contributor to National Geographic Learning, a public speaker and 5x UN delegate. She is also a teenager from Toronto.
CAMERAS FOR HEALING is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization founded by New Brunswick photographer MAURICE HENRI. The program provides Moncton youth aged 10 to 16 with cameras to guide their personal development. Photography is used as a vehicle to facilitate selfdiscovery and to develop self-worth and belonging within the community.
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