How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
@erinsummer_
I try to be as supportive as possible - not just by cheering them on, but also by sharing advice, resources and information. When I first got started as a content creator and artist, a lot of other creatives were very hesitant to share with me. I had so many questions that I sort of had to figure out on my own. I am very open to answering questions other creatives might have, and I love to watch them flourish and grow.
@bergermargaret
To me, female empowerment can be described as a growth process of inner power that also comes from leaving gender roles behind, allowing to pursue desired goals with more freedom. Empowerment can also take place in photography: Portraying and documenting themes of everyday life, interacting and collaborating in photo sessions, supporting and sharing tips with other females and presenting yourself as a photographer.
For many years my cello teacher has been not only a teacher for this instrument, she also had a great impact on me for being kind, strong, fearless and unstoppable. I hope that one day I can be such an inspiration to someone else.
pictures by @bergermargaret
How do you feel about Female Collectives/networks?
@erinsummer_
I love them! I find networking and collectives in general to be a very positive and rewarding experience. Being able to find a “sisterhood” of creatives is such an empowering thing, especially when you get to connect with women of all sorts of skillsets, perspectives and experience. It helps everyone grow - that sort of support is invaluable.
@i.l.s.e._dp
Female collectives or networks can be an effective way for women to come together, share experiences, and support each other in both personal and professional settings.
They can provide a collective voice and it can be a positive and empowering force for women. However, as with any social network or community, I think it is important to strive for inclusivity and diversity so that every woman feels comfortable within the group.
pictures by @i.l.s.e._dp
Have you ever been confronted with stereotypes about women in photography/art? If so, how do you feel about them?
@bergermargaret
As in any other field, gender stereotypes also exist in photography. I’ve already experienced that technical know-how is often attributed to men while women tend to be seen as amateur photographers.
Photography itself is gender neutral to me. The view through the lens is guided by one's individual thoughts, story, interest and preference - I firmly believe that you cannot draw conclusions whether a photograph was taken by a young, female or non-binary person. In my opinion all photographers at any level should be treated equally, with acceptance and respect.
@erinsummer_
Truly I have not encountered any stereotypes! In my experience, at least in the community I find myself a part of, I find that the industry seems to be very female driven. The majority of the artists I’ve connected with and the clients I have worked for have been women. It could be that my work has a more traditionally “feminine” aesthetic, but I’ve been so lucky to have some incredible opportunities and never felt I was stereotyped in any meaningful way.
What fulfills you the most in being a female photographer/artist?
@erinsummer_
I’m not sure if I can say that what fulfills me comes from a uniquely female experience. I can say that what fulfills me most is capturing my viewers imagination and making them smile, or feel joy. That is the reason why I create- to add a bit of joy and whimsy to this world.
pictures by @erinsummer_
Do you have a favourite female photographer or artist who inspires you? Can you tell us more about her and why she inspires you?
@i.l.s.e._dp
One of my favourite female photographer/artists is @alexandrahaelters. Her photos are so beautiful: she finds inspiration in small, beautiful things that nature has to offer and her artwork is so lovely. She inspires us all to find joy in the ordinary, to look around with our eyes opened wide, and to see everything with our playful imagination.
@bergermargaret
I recently discovered Angelica Gonzalez @angiegophoto on Instagram. She is a photographer and longboard dancer who invented the “the real women/human movement” (@realwomen_movement). I really love that her work is focused on celebrating diversity, imperfections, kindness and sisterhood through art and photography. She creates stunning photographs featuring women collectives – these photographs are powerful, deeply authentic, revealing the universal desire to be seen as valuable.
@erinsummer_
A notable favourite for me right now is Cathy @easysundayclub. Not only is she an incredibly talented artist and creator, but she also has a YouTube channel where she shares tips and advice for artists. It’s a wealth of information and she’s so forthcoming about the highs and lows of being an artist and how to forge your own path. She’s amazing.
ZG-1316-KK (@bergermargaret), ZG-1023-EN (@i.l.s.e._dp), ZG-1220-EN-KK (@erinsummer_)
We feel so lucky to be working with such talented and open-minded photographers and love to support their work with our products and interviews. If you’re ever wondering whose account is behind one of our Photo products, you can always find their name either on the back of the product or bottom of the picture, so you can check them out on Instagram and leave them some hearts! In our #pckphototalks you can also learn more about @i.l.s.e._dp, @erinsummer_ and @bergermargaret and their creation processes. Enjoy!
