If you have been following along Season 02 of CulturallyOurs, you know this season we focus on global entrepreneurship. And our conversations span across countries, across industries, across age and experience. We are in awe with all the people we have met and spoken to so far and each conversation leaves us motivated, energized and eager to pour our heart and soul into our business.
We recently stumbled upon a creative – a photographer – who’s work and philosophy about work, career, creativity and entrepreneurship completely blew us away.
Annie Spratt is an incredibly talented photographer and creative living in England who has been sharing her photography for FREE for anyone to use as they see fit. She is basically working for free. Her mindset about how she wants to live her life, what she does and why she does what she does is so unique that we absolutely had to share her story.
These are her words from her website – Annie Spratt. You can see more of her work on her website and on Unsplash, where she shares her work freely.
About me
About meHello, I’m Annie, a mother living in the New Forest in the South of England. I am part of the Unsplash team, working full time, six days a week, building community and curating the thousands of photographs that are submitted weekly to the photography platform.
I’m most at home exploring the forest that I live in, connecting with nature and paying attention to the seasons as they pass. Spending time offline is hugely important to me, I check my personal email and Twitter accounts twice a week, notifications are not something I enjoy and so I turn them off wherever possible.
I start every day with a walk in the forest, sometimes this might be a stolen hour, other times a whole morning. This clears my mind ready for the day ahead and trains my eye for photography, to notice the smaller details of the natural world, the changes in light and mood.
Photography
PhotographyWhen I first dipped my feet into the world of photography I sought advice from my peers. The response I received wasn’t encouraging, both as a new photographer and a woman.
‘Advice’ varied from “if you don’t learn film photography first you’ll never be a proper photographer” and “you can’t call yourself a photographer unless you first shoot in black and white” to “just because you take photos it doesn’t make you a photographer“.
At the time I felt discouraged, but ultimately defiant.
I have been sharing my photography for free for a few years now and these days everything I shoot I share with others.
I believe that when you share with others you directly enrich other peoples lives.
I don’t want a career where I am employed to take the photos that other people want. I want to take the photos that I want, my way, when I want to.
Support
SupportSome people use my photos and never say thank you. Some people email me to say thank you. Some people mail me what they created with my photos. Some people send me money.
Sharing my photography for free doesn’t pay my bills but it creates a whole network of connections that have helped, inspired and supported me. I’ve made new treasured friendships and I’ve grown personally.
Things don’t always need a monetary value to be worth something.
How I choose to share isn’t for everyone, but it’s right for me. I believe that being true to yourself can bring an authenticity to your work.
I don’t want to follow a pre-defined career in photography. I want to follow my feelings and passion and see where it leads me. Ultimately if I don’t have pre-conceived ideas or a plan I can never be disappointed with how my journey evolves.
Her photos are amazing and her attitude is fascinating. The idea behind sharing your work for free because that brings forth freedom to create, to become the best and to get opportunities far beyond what you imagined is such a different perspective to what typical business teaches us.
We understand this is not for everyone and not everyone will agree to this concept, but if given a choice would you share your work for free? We would love to know and start a healthy dialogue amongst the CulturallyOurs global community.
Feel free to comment and also follow Annie’s journey on her Website and Instagram.
{Photos and Words by Annie Spratt}
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