THE lockdown has also hit our freelance professional photographers the hardest. There are no weddings, no fashion shows, no editorial shoots, no portrait sittings, no commercial layouts. Perhaps the only ones busy at the moment are the photojournalists, and we know how perilous their job is during this pandemic.
But creative people are restless, and they can’t just sit idly by. Thus, a group of close to a hundred of the most talented photographers banded together to somewhat mitigate their loss of income due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“We needed a name that would describe the ideals of the initiative: to provide, to unite, to protect. Photographer/dog-lover/friend Nana Buxani suggested ‘Shelter in Place Fund for Photographers.’ I shortened it to ‘Shelter Fund,’” Jason Quibilan, one of the photographers and the managing partner for Shutterspace Studios and Silver, its printing arm, said over e-mail.
THE PROJECT
THE Shelter Fund was launched on Facebook (www.facebook.com/shelterfundph) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/shelterfund) on May 1. It gave the freelance photographers a venue to exhibit and sell their artworks. The sale will run until May 31. A coffee-table book, I think, would be a good follow-up.
Each especially selected print is an original signed artwork by the photographer. Each one is finely crafted on archival, heavyweight paper in A2, A3, A4 and A5 sizes printed through Shutterspace Studios, with prices ranging from P1,500 to P16,500.
As far as the number of prints go, more than 300 have been sold so far. To purchase, a buyer must send a direct message on Facebook and Instagram for orders and inquiries. Payments can be made through BPI, BDO, PayMaya, PayPal and GCash. The printing and signing of the prints will commence after the enhanced community quarantine is lifted, with delivery two weeks after. “The fund came about as a response to the need of photographers to continue making a living during the lockdown. With most of the shoots and assignments canceled, there was really not much in the way of opportunities for photographers to earn. At the same time, Silver, the printing arm of Shutterspace Studios, realized that it was in a unique position to do something productive and beneficial for the community,” Quibilan says.
“By initiating a program that would allow photographers to offer their works up for sale to the public, and by managing the entire production and distribution process, Silver managed to create a viable and alternative income stream for photographers that was not there before.”
THE PARTICIPANTS
THE brightest names in photography and visual arts who are participating include BJ Pascual, Dix Perez, Dookie Ducay, Eddie Boy Escudero, Jake Verzosa, Jilson Tiu, Kiri Dalena, Lope Navo, Marc Nicdao, MJ Suayan, Neil Oshima, Paelo Pedrajas, Rxandy Capinpin, Toto Labrador and Xander Angeles.
“Shelter Fund is based on goodwill and trust. We wanted to help, so we made sure what we offered photographers is truly something they would benefit from. We explained the process, how each sale would directly benefit the seller and, indirectly, the others who were part of the initiative. That they didn’t need to invest on anything, and that we’d take care of everything. We made sure their work was handled with care and respect,” Quibilan assures.
“We made a real effort to promote and exhibit their work in a professional manner. As for the actual prints, we spared no expense. The prints are archival and made with museum-grade materials and processes. We made sure to explain the entire process carefully and clearly. The whole thing is based on trust, so we made sure we were transparent, and we made sure we kept our word.
“We tried to be as inclusive as possible with Shelter Fund. It’s not an exhibit or show. So, yes, almost all genres of photography got some representation. We have wedding photographers, food photographers, art photographers, fashion, product/still life, photojournalists, portraitists, landscape photographers.”
POST-ECQ PROSPECTS
“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows. A lot of things have to change for people to feel safe enough to continue working,” Quibilan bares. “But we want to still be productive and able to contribute to society. We’re all willing to make the sacrifices necessary to end this pandemic and start rebuilding.” n