This week in Editors’ Choice: Black and white photography, intimate moments, blue backgrounds

Each week, members of the 500px team curate eye-catching photography from our talented and diverse community in Editors’ Choice. This week’s curation highlights striking black and white photography, intimacy, and blue backgrounds subjects. Check out this week’s roundup of some of the most intriguing photography on 500px, handpicked by our Editors.

Check out which photos are catching our Editors’ eyes today in Editors’ Choice!

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5 best practices for getting a model release

A model release can make the difference between a highly marketable image and one without earning potential. Here’s why: if the people in your photo have not given written consent for their likeness to appear in advertising and promotional materials, you close the door on any buyer who wants to use your images for commercial purposes. You can still license your photos for editorial use, but by neglecting to obtain a release you could needlessly limit your sales.

Getting a model release signed takes just a few moments, especially if you know how to introduce them into your workflow. We interviewed Dave Fitzsimmons, Asset and QA Supervisor at 500px, about the dos and don’ts of model releases. Read on for a quick and handy guide to approaching models and obtaining everything you need to license your photos. When you’re done, don’t forget to download and print the standard 500px model release.

If possible, get the release signed before your shoot

“It’s always best to get a release signed at the start of each photoshoot,” Dave explains. Getting this step out of the way right off-the-bat ensures that everyone’s on the same page. You never want to spend your whole day working on a shoot, only to realize that the model isn’t on-board with you licensing the images.

Also, getting the release signed up-front is a good way to make sure you never forget. Tracking down a model after the shoot can be difficult and time-consuming, so get the paperwork done when you’re in the same room.

It’s okay to approach strangers, as long as you’re considerate

In some situations, it won’t be possible to get a model release signed before taking photos. Street photography, for example, is all about candid moments, and you could miss a rare opportunity by approaching someone beforehand.

In that case, walk up to your subject immediately after you get the photo. This is your only opportunity to get that release. Politely tell them who you are, and show them the photo you’ve just taken.

From there, you can discuss the release. Most people will agree, and some will decline. Either way, respect their decision. If someone is undecided, you can always give them your contact information in case they have any follow-up questions.

Be clear about your objectives

If the person you’re photographing isn’t familiar with the concept of a model release, take the time to explain.

By signing a release, your subject or model legally authorizes the publication and commercial use of their likeness. They won’t have any rights to the photos, and they won’t be compensated beyond anything you’ve agreed upon prior to the signing.

The question of compensation is up to you to determine with the model. “The photographer might offer the model money or prints that they can use for their modeling portfolio,” Dave explains. “Or the model may just want the exposure from having their likeness in a commercial photo.”

Whatever the case may be, make sure both you and your subject are clear about the details. If your model asks for a copy of the release, remember to give them one for their own files.

When in doubt, get the release

If you can recognize the person in the photo, you need a model release. Obviously, that applies to cases where you can see someone’s face, but it also refers to any situation involving identifiable features, like tattoos. Even items of clothing and certain locations can make a person recognizable, so if you’re unsure, err on the side of caution.

“The most confusion amongst Licensing Contributors is probably around whether or not a release is required,” Dave says. “When it comes to releases, it’s always better to have one than not to have one. The easiest way to decide if a release is required is to ask yourself, “If that was me in the photo, would I be able to recognize myself?”*

*Note that if the person in the photo actually is you, you still need a model release. You’ll sign as both the photographer and the model.

Keep releases on hand at all times

“I’d recommend printing out a bunch of releases and keeping blank ones in your camera bag,” Dave tells us. Bring them with you everywhere you take your camera. Even if you don’t plan on submitting the photos right away, it’s best to have model releases on file in case you’d like to license the photos in the future.

It could be impossible to find a model you photographed briefly years down the line, and you’ll be disappointed if the only thing standing between you and a potential best-seller is the right documentation.

You might not end up using every picture you take, but having the paperwork gives you the option to monetize your work at any time. As a backup plan, consider installing an app like Easy Release on your phone. That way, if you run out of hard copies, you can get your releases done digitally.

Prepare your release in full before submitting it

A partially completed or invalid model release is about as useful as no model release. We recommend using this release, but Dave says any release will work, as long as it has the photographer’s full name and signature, the location and date of the shoot, the model’s full name, signature, and date of birth, and the model’s mailing address and contact information.

If the model is under eighteen years of age, you’ll need the parent or guardian’s full name, signature, and contact information (email and/or phone number and home address). “It’s recommended to always have the parent present during the photoshoot,” Dave says.

Before submitting a model release, give it a once-over to make sure you’ve filled out all the fields. An incomplete model release will have to be redone and resubmitted, so get it right the first time.

Learn more about 500px Licensing.

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8 easy ways to make your photos more marketable

The difference between a “good” photo and a “bad” photo is subjective, but a “marketable” image is easier to define. The market for stock images is growing rapidly, but while trends come and go, there are a few key ingredients that always make a photo stand out. For starters, all best-selling photos tell a story. They convey a clear and simple message, and they can be used for multiple purposes.

Luckily, just a few simple changes can elevate a “good” photo and turn it into a “marketable” one. Here are just eight easy ways to amp up the commercial appeal of your images, without interrupting your workflow. We’ve included both short-term and long-term tips, so you can start implementing them today and refine your approach over time.

The problem: Perfect photo, wrong orientation.

A stunning image isn’t enough to capture a buyer’s attention; it must also fit the specific format they need. For example, if your photo is only available in a landscape orientation, it won’t appeal to a designer looking for a vertical image for a magazine advertisement.

The solution: Upload different options.

For every shoot you do, try to submit both portrait and landscape orientations. Create some close-up images, and then capture those wide shots as well. Because buyers will likely add text or logos, leave ample copy space around your subject. Anticipate their needs, and cover your bases with different angles and perspectives.

The problem: Beautiful photo, saturated market.

In general, a photo of a dog will likely earn less than an equally wonderful photo of a wild caracal. That’s because there are tons of dog photos, and your image could get lost amongst the crowd.

The solution: Dare to be different.

The Eiffel Tower has already been covered extensively, so if you visit Paris, remember to wander off the beaten path. Instead of heading to the familiar tourist spots, ask locals about their favorite “hidden gem” locations. Discovering something others have missed will help you rise to the top of those searches.

The problem: Nice composition, subpar technique.

When it comes to Licensing, the technical details matter. A blurry or noisy image won’t fly with users. They’ll be looking at your image closely to make sure it’s just right.

The solution: Remember post-processing.

Shoot in RAW, and spend some time finessing your colors, contrast, and luminosity. Always view and edit your photos at 100%, and zoom in as close as you can. Look for any imperfections: chromatic aberrations, spots of dust, etc. and correct them before uploading.

Too much processing can also be an issue, so stay away from overpowering filters and effects. Get it right in-camera first by watching your Settings, and then use a light (but deliberate) touch during the editing process.

The problem: Cool subject, wrong background.

When it comes to commercial images, the background is just as important as your main subject. Buyers want clean backgrounds that don’t distract from the overall theme of the photo, and they want backgrounds that show off their text nicely. If you’re photographing a model in the street, for example, your shot could be ruined by heavy traffic in the background.

The solution: Use your Settings to your advantage.

Photos where your subject isn’t in focus will be rejected for Licensing, but that doesn’t mean that the background has to be crystal clear as well. When done correctly, using a shallow depth of field can transform an unattractive background into a dreamy tapestry of color and light.

The problem: Bankable concept, outdated props.

We live in an evolving world, and users always need more inspiring images that incorporate modern technologies. Tech is trending in lifestyle photography, but it has to be done right. For example, if you’ve included a phone from 2010 in your shoot, the resulting images won’t look fresh.

The solution: Watch the details, especially when you’re working with technology.

Something as minor as old computer model in the background could date your photo and limit its potential. To create a photo with longevity, skip outdated props and go for the cutting edge. Stay updated on trends within the tech industry, and use them as a point of departure.

The problem: Interesting topic, boring perspective.

Every photographer has a distinct style and aesthetic, but when it comes to Licensing, it’s important to appeal to a wide variety of buyers. If you put limits on the kinds of photos you create, you could limit your pool of potential sales.

The solution: Stay curious and adaptable.

Licensing is a great excuse to push yourself as an artist. Do what you do best, but at the same time, don’t be afraid to mix it up.

If you’re a classic landscape photographer, try a drone for some of your shots. If you’re a studio portrait photographer, try shooting outdoors using natural light. Used to shooting lifestyle photos during the daytime? Organize a shoot after dark.

The more you shoot, the better your chances of creating a best-seller. Remember to track your sales and see if certain content performs better than others.

The problem: Fun shoot, wrong models.

Designers want images their customers can relate to, and they can spot a posed, artificial photo from a mile away.

The solution: Work with real people.

If you’re planning a photoshoot about a rock band, choose models who know how to play their instruments correctly. For a shoot about a dentist, collaborate with someone in the field. For a photo set about businesspeople, try working in a real office.

In short, make sure your models know what they’re doing and aren’t just “pretending.” Selecting the right people is the first step towards producing natural images. Remember that real people are diverse. Represent them authentically.

The problem: Right idea, bad timing.

Designers start looking for holiday photos months in advance. If you upload your Fourth of July photos on July 4, you’ll miss out on all those early searches. You’ll have to wait until next year to see any sales, and by then, buyers could already be looking for something new.

The solution: Stay organized.

Keeping a calendar of major events, holidays, and pop culture milestones can help you plan your shoots ahead of time. If you see a topic trending on social media, don’t wait. Get your photos taken and uploaded as quickly as possible. Have them indexed and ready by the time people start searching for them.

Learn more about 500px Licensing.

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Ambassador Spotlight: Meet Ueli, Jovana, Anthony, Amanda and Ilya

Last week, we introduced you to the 500px Ambassadors. A group of 20 talented photographers who are eager and excited to share their knowledge and skills with the 500px community.

In this first of four articles in our Ambassador Spotlight series, we’ll take a closer look at who our Ambassadors are and how photography has changed their lives.

This week we’re featuring: Ueli Frischknecht, Jovana Rikalo, Anthony Sotomayor, Amanda Carlson and Ilya Blinov.

Why did you become a photographer?:
“I love to freeze unique moments and share them with everyone out there. Also, I love to give minorities and important topics a voice. Becoming a professional photographer didn’t happen overnight but it was always in my head and I never gave up on my dream.”

How has photography changed your life?:
“Photography is the essence of my life. It’s pure joy and sometimes it’s also a kind of self-therapy. It helps me processing things that happen in my life.”

Why do you use 500px?
“500px is a fantastic social media platform. I love that the community is super passionate about photography. That’s really great!”

View Ueli’s Profile

Why did you become a photographer?:
“I wanted to tell a story. I want to help people to get through hard periods by looking and reading my photos.

How photography has changed your life?:
“I’ve met so many wonderful people, improved in so many fields and learned so many things about myself and others.”

Why do you use 500px?
“It’s a great platform that has so many great photographers and different types of photos. There are so many things for everyone.”

View Jovana’s Profile

Why did you become a photographer?:
“To photograph changing and evolving cities.”

How has photography changed your life?:
“It has opened up so many opportunities and friendships.”

Why do you use 500px?
“It is the best stock photography website and best photography community.”

Featured Ambassador Article: Peerspace Series: Toronto Urban Photography Workshop

View Anthony’s Profile

Why did you become a photographer?: “I love the art, the process, the moments captured. Photography has so many aspects of it that I have experienced, like street photography, photojournalism, events, portraits, and they all have so many beautiful moments in them that I always wanted to capture. I am drawn towards portraits specifically because I want to bring out features in people that I see in them.”

How has photography changed your life?: “Photography has changed my life in so many ways. It’s been the ultimate outlet to forget about everything and just create. There are so many moments during photoshoots that I get a rush of creativity that no other art form gives me. It’s truly where my passion lays and that has forever changed me and my life.”

Why do you use 500px?
“It’s an amazing community, and wonderful network. Throughout the years I’ve witnessed so much growth in 500px and I’m so thankful and happy to be a part of it! 500px really understands the balance between community and quality.”

Featured Ambassador Article: Peerspace Series: Amanda Carlson Explores Self Reflection

View Amanda’s Profile

Why did you become a photographer?:
“I love to create images. I’ve worked as a fashion stylist on hundreds of photoshoots over the last 10 years, and now I am able to conceptualize shoots and create the image I want.”

How has photography changed your life?:
“It’s forced me to search for the better light and background in my surroundings in everyday life. I believe better changes are on the way.”

Why do you use 500px?
“500px is a perfect social platform for photographers. I get inspiration here and I love Quests.”

View Ilya’s Profile

Look out for the second edition of “Ambassador Spotlight” next week.

Want to be our next Ambassador? Check this out!

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15 tips for beautiful candid portraits that stand out

12 women, all wearing hats, hair blowing in the wind. 12 explorers venturing into the depths of an ice cave. 12 hands, each holding a maple leaf. These are just three of the collages you’ll find on Insta Repeat, an Instagram account run by an anonymous filmmaker.

The premise is simple: the @insta_repeat feed includes screenshots of photos pulled from a huge variety of accounts. Once they’re organized in a grid, they serve to highlight the, sometimes, crushing homogeneity of the social platform and modern media in general. The account currently has well over 300K followers.

At a time when it feels everyone wants to look the same, there’s another movement brewing. A rising generation of photographers is calling for diversity and authenticity. When it comes to candid portraits, individuality is everything. Here’s how to get the most out of your shoot.

The Dos

Stay active. The best way to get people to “forget” about the camera is to photograph them in the middle of an activity. Observe your subjects at work, or plan to do something you know they love, whether it’s swimming in a local lake or playing a game of pool.

Take photos back-to-back. Often, the most interesting facial expressions are the ones we don’t anticipate. Turn on your camera’s burst mode to capture some of those in-between moments you didn’t see coming. You could surprise yourself and your subject.

Incorporate the environment. The setting itself can reveal as much about a person as their facial expression. Photographing your subjects on their own turf does two things. First, it helps put them at ease, resulting in natural pictures. Second, it gives you the opportunity to include the things that help define them: a favorite room, an old bookshelf, or in this case, a fun selection of pool floats.

Master available light. There’s nothing like a bright flash to interrupt a quiet, introspective moment. Artificial light can be a wonderful tool, but regardless of the equipment you choose, you need to understand how natural light works.

For soft, warm light, aim for the golden hours around sunrise and sunset, or choose twilight if you prefer those cooler tones. You can also incorporate street lights and ambient lights. The American photojournalist W. Eugene Smith famously said, “Available light is any damn light that is available.” Use all of it!

Take a risk. Portraits often stand out because they have one extraordinary element. Spend time with your subject to discover what that detail will be. Maybe it’s a tapestry of freckles, a one-of-a-kind birthmark, or even a distinctive scar. Perhaps it’s a melancholy expression or a faraway glance. You can also create these elements yourself by introducing various types of jewelry, makeup, or wardrobe. Use light and shadow to illuminate the face in unexpected ways.

Engage. While the fly-on-the-wall approach is appropriate in some situations, it’s not always possible to fade into the background. Talk to your subject about their lives and experiences and share some of your own stories too.

Empathize. A well-known artist once told us that he never photographs strangers. Every person he photographs is a friend, even if he’s just met them on the street and never sees them again. The best portraits are unique, but they’re also universal. Find common ground with your subject, and that connection will shine through in the photos.

Take a portrait every day. You won’t love every photo you take, but that’s not the point. The goal of this simple assignment is to get comfortable photographing people. Start with your family and friends. The French photographer Nadar made some of his greatest portraits while working with those closest to him. “The portrait I do best is of the person I know best,” he once said.

The easiest way to get over shyness is to approach as many people as possible. The more you shoot, the better you’ll get at reading expressions and spotting those unforgettable moments. Self-portraits count too, so use that shutter release, self-timer, or mirror to your advantage.

The Don’ts

Don’t over-direct. Telling someone to pose or smile usually results in an unrealistic, canned photo. Instead, give your subjects room to express themselves without any pressure. Keep the atmosphere light and spontaneous, and be ready to click that shutter at the right time.

Don’t mess with your Setting. Fiddling with your camera is a surefire way to bring your subject out of the moment and call attention to yourself. Get to know your camera well enough that you can adjust your Settings without thinking about it. Practice at home first if you need to. If you anticipate needing different lenses, consider bringing multiple bodies so you don’t need to switch them.

Avoid checking the screen on the back of your camera. Constantly looking at your LCD is just as bad as taking forever to fix your Settings. Portraiture is about the relationship between the photographer and the subject. A camera is just a tool, and it doesn’t deserve more attention than your model.

You can look at the photos later—use the time you have with your subject to focus on building your connection. You don’t want to miss the perfect photo because you’re staring at the last one you took! If you find that you can’t stop yourself from automatically checking the LCD, try using (or renting) a film camera for a few days to train yourself out of it.

Don’t weigh yourself down. Keeping your gear minimal will help you stay light on your toes. If a sunbeam appears during an outdoor shoot, you’ll need to be mobile and adjust your position. You’ll also want to move your subject around in order to capture the different ways the light hits their face, and dealing with a heavy camera and tripod will only slow you down.

Plus, too much gear can be distracting for any model. Working with a small camera, even if it’s your phone or a point-and-shoot, is less intrusive, especially when it comes to capturing those unplanned moments.

Avoid giving everything away. Great portraits have an air of mystery. They inspire curiosity and make us ask questions. Reveal some details and clues to your subject’s personality, but don’t be afraid to hold something back.

Don’t go crazy with the edits. Often, it’s the so-called “flaws” or “blemishes” that end up telling a person’s story. Avoid heavy retouching, and stay true to the subject.

Don’t be disrespectful. Great portraits can be complicated and even painful, but they’re never cruel. Taking a photo of someone else is a privilege. Represent them with integrity.

Never leave your camera at home. Opportunities for portraits are everywhere. You might find an interesting character on the way to the grocery store or while waiting at a salon, so keep your camera with you at all times.

Embrace the truly candid moments. If you’ve arranged a more formal photoshoot, don’t forget those “outtake” moments. Photograph your subject during breaks and in-between shots. While you’re packing up, keep a small camera out of your bag just in case. The best photo of the day could end up being an accident, caught on a whim as you were getting ready to leave.

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What 4 viral photos can teach us about creating marketable images

“There are no rules for good photographs,” the American landscape photographer Ansel Adams reportedly said. “There are only good photographs.” When it comes to creating a photo that resonates with people, there is no easy formula, but perhaps we can find some clues by analyzing the right images.

We spoke with a handful of 500px Licensing Contributors about some of their most successful pictures to see if we could unlock the secret to making a viral photo. These photographers come from all over the world and cover genres as diverse as cityscapes, landscapes, still lives, and fashion, but they have one thing in common: hugely popular images.

We wondered, what makes these photos stand out amidst the sea of images we consume each and every day? With their help, we’ve taken a stab at cracking the code.

Why it works: This picture, titled In The Clouds, puts a fresh spin on a familiar subject. As of this writing, there are more than 1.2 million photos tagged #CNTower on Instagram. The most recent one was posted less than five minutes ago. The market for photos of famous landmarks like this one is saturated, so most photos of this Toronto tower will end up lost in the shuffle. In The Clouds is an exception.

“I have various photos of Toronto that have been sold or shared frequently because they offer a unique perspective that’s hard to achieve,” the photographer Mitul Shah tells us. “In The Clouds was a case of perfect timing. I was in the right spot at the right time.”

Still, it wasn’t by chance that Mitul captured this image. He created his own luck. At the time, he was working as an intern in the city’s tallest office building. He bided his time, and when the conditions were just right, he seized the opportunity.

“Every day I went into work, I waited for the chance to see the city covered in fog,” he remembers. “When the weather was perfect for what I needed, I ran to the top floor viewing area with my camera. I knew my office offered a view that wasn’t available to many, and, as a cityscape photographer, I had to take advantage of it.”

When it comes to sourcing photos of the CN Tower, designers are spoilt for choice. But they’d be hard-pressed to find an image like this one: an isolated tower, surrounded by blue sky, emerging from the clouds of the city below. It’s not the place itself but the unusual vantage point that makes this picture so valuable.

Why it works: As with the last photo, this one takes a well-known place and exceeds our expectations. “This aerial image of Lake Louise has been shared and sold time and time again,” its creator, Aidan Campell, tells us. “I think that it has been popular due to the fact that it is a unique, one-of-a-kind perspective of a recognizable and popular Canadian lake.

“Although the lake is photographed by hundreds of people on a daily basis, this particular angle is now near impossible to capture without a helicopter (it’s no longer legal to fly drones in the park), making this capture particularly special.”

Lake Louise, located in Banff National Park, is famous for the stunning surrounding Canadian Rockies, and designers will have no trouble finding a “typical” vantage point that incorporates those peaks. Aidan’s drone view is more abstract and far less predictable. He’s also managed to include those snow-capped trees and the dock, adding context and nuance to a place we’ve seen a thousand times.

“These days, it’s extremely uncommon to be the first person to photograph a location, concept, action, pose, etc.,” Aidan explains. “Rather than reinventing the wheel, I find the best way to have your image stand out from the crowd is to capture the same scene from a different angle that people haven’t seen before. Be creative and be different.”

As a bonus, Split has a winning composition. “A lot of my more popular images seem to share a sense of minimalism,” Aidan explains. “A busy image can distract the viewer from the subject or the message, whereas a simple image can prove to be more palatable and tell a better story.” It’s recognizable as Lake Louise, but it’s also generic enough that buyers can use it for a variety of purposes, without feeling limited by location.

Why it works: Cotton Cloud is the perfect example of a conceptual image. Its creator, the Indonesian photographer Hardi Saputra, was initially inspired by the architecture of the Space Needle in Seattle. But instead of photographing the tower itself, he used it as a point of departure to build a one-of-a-kind still life.

If Hardi had photographed the Space Needle, that image might have also sold well amongst designers working on themes relating to Seattle or architecture. By choosing to illustrate an idea rather than a specific landmark, however, he created something with much broader commercial appeal.

Buyers in almost any field could use this image to convey a clean and simple message. There’s plenty of room for them to add text or logos, and there are no distracting elements. It would work well for an editorial about reaching for your goals, or it could be used in an advertisement about thinking outside of the box.

Like any great conceptual photo, Cotton Cloud is innovative and adaptable. “Since I shared it on my website, it’s been shared more than 11 thousand times,” Hardi tells us. No wonder he received so many comments saying, “I wish I’d thought of that!”

Why it works: This photo was a risk, and it paid off. We see lots of photos created around the concept of technology and “selfie” culture, but this one is memorable because it’s different. Every detail, from the color of the model’s hair down to the make of the car, is unexpected.

The Saint Petersburg-based photographer Renat Renee-Ell goes out of her way to find and scout unusual (often colorful) locations and she selects her wardrobe and props accordingly. “Think locally,” she suggests. “If there is something in your area that you can’t find anywhere else, use it. People react to unique images.”

At the same time, the photo has universal appeal. It isn’t so out of the box that it’s hard to understand. Anyone can relate to this picture. It’s also visually appealing. The monochrome color palette and minimalistic composition make all those fun and quirky details easy to digest.

Renat isn’t interested in chasing trends; she prefers starting her own. “There is no manual for creating masterpieces,” she explains. “You can try to find photography ‘hacks,’ and you can describe useful techniques, but in the end, it is all about having that flair.” Spend some time thinking about what makes you different, and explore that.

Learn more about 500px Licensing here.

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Breaking the Mold: Winners Announcement

Throughout the month of June, we saw a number of global companies create campaigns that celebrated and recognized that gender, love, self-expression, and identity know no bounds, uniting a community and creating inclusive spaces for a diverse group of people around the world.

Companies such as Levi’s, who has a long-standing history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, donated 100% of their proceeds from their 2019 PRIDE collection ‘Proud. Together.’ to OutRight Action International, encouraging self-love and self-expression. They have also partnered with Queer Britain and the National LGBT Museum to launch a three-year photography exhibition around ‘Chosen Family’.

Uber UK partnered with PinkNews and The Elephant Room, choosing to focus on authentic representation, launching an inspiring global campaign: ‘The Many Voices of Pride’, which incorporated the stories of both Uber employees and their riders. Their goal was to bring visibility beyond the iconic rainbow flag, providing a voice and platform for 15+ sexual orientations and identities.

Campaigns such as these emphasize the need to provide companies with a diverse and inclusive library of commercially licensable content that is representative of the variety of individual expressions and identities present today. Representation in commercial photography is a necessary component to not only drive impactful change, but to lend an inspiring voice for those seeking to identify with something more.

To help drive this message, 500px connected with a handful of prominent photographers from around the globe within the LGBTQ+ community to develop a series of Licensing Quests that would encourage users to think critically about how their art could be representative of Queer themes and culture. This has generated an incredible collection of LGBTQ+ themed imagery, inspired by our Quest judges.

Bloom Licensing Quest

Eivind Hansen partnered with 500px to develop a Licensing Quest that spoke to the symbolic use of flowers, something Eivind employs often in his own work:

“Flowers have played an incredible role in the LGBTQ+ community for many years. From the color of violets symbolizing a code for lesbian women to the recent reclamation of derogatory titles like ‘pansy’ or lavender boy’. When someone makes a very personal choice to come out, they bloom into their true selves, much like the transition flowers go through”

The winning photo:

Inna Mosina on the winning photo:

“I wanted to show that gender should not determine who you are. I am opposed to defining gender as either masculine or feminine. I dressed the model in men’s clothing, which complimented the woman, the flower is symbolic of her femininity. Women have the right to dress in men’s clothing and be masculine and men have the right to dress in women’s clothing and be feminine. We should not be afraid to be ourselves.”

Eivind Hasnen on the winning image:

“‘Queer’ by Inna Mosina is the perfect example of how ‘Less is More’ often works better as a tool to communicate one’s intentions. Inna has cleverly interpreted the brief of ‘Bloom’. Rather than going full-on with elaborate floral arrangements, Inna chose to strip it down using just a simple flower. However, it’s not the flower itself that makes the image powerful, but the placement of the flower. It hints at the model’s sexuality or gender identity, suggesting it is of great importance. The loose-fitted clothing helps defeminize the model, reading as more androgynous. Together with Inna’s image description: ‘It’s time to be my true self, Life Outside The Binary.’, one could argue that the model possibly identifies as Non-Binary or Gender Non-Confirming. The pink and matt pastel tones are also reminiscent of the pink tones in the transgender flag.

Together with the minimalist, desert-like location, this image reads as both calm and beautiful.”

Live out Loud Licensing Quest

Brianna Roye teamed up with 500px to create a Licensing Quest that chose to celebrate self-expression and shine a light on positive representation:

“Too often, members of the LGBTQ+ community only see representation that focuses on struggle and loss. Let’s push past this and celebrate living out loud; the joy of being yourself. Positive representation in commercial photography is powerful. We want you to showcase the celebration of you, or those around you, as they embrace who they are with joy.”

The winning photo:

Toti Suarez on the winning photo:

“The subject of the photograph is love and respect for the couple in the image, expressing tenderness and the LGBTQ+ flag, providing visibility to this community. It is a photograph of love, LOVE capitalized.”

Brianna Roye on the winning photo:

“This image shows freedom and a carefree joy that everyone in the LGBTQ+ community wants and deserves. Having said that, I believe the photo has depth, and tells a genuine story that celebrates them as a QPOC (Queer person of color) couple, which is what commercial photography needs more of!”

Chosen Family Licensing Quest

David J. Fulde chose to focus on the importance of a support network when collaborating with 500px on his Licensing Quest. Regardless of circumstance, having a supportive group of people, family or friends, can help aid in any experience, whether through the celebration of achievements or assistance through difficult times:

“Members of the LGBTQ+ community often celebrate their chosen family, as many people suffer loss with embracing their identity. A chosen family celebrates each other through the ups, downs, and everything in between.”

The winning photo:

Denis Ganenko on his winning photo:

“Lana is a great friend of mine and now she has a little friend in her life. It was one of the first shoots I had ever done in the rain. Love is the main purpose of life and life is short. If you find love, don’t let it go. This is your life; you decide who you love.”

David J. Fulde on the winning photo:

“I love this photo because if the twist on the chosen family theme. Our pets are family just as much as our close friends or partners in life. But that twist pales in comparison to the gorgeous use of color—the woman’s coat matches the painted cement so so well; it took a great eye and talent to capture such a great shot!”

As part of our commitment to change, 500px will continue to provide avenues and opportunities to support and contribute to building a diverse and inclusive commercial collection of imagery. We recognize that the celebration of identity, self-expression, and love is not restricted to one month, but should be acknowledged continually. Be sure to keep an eye out on upcoming Licensing Quests that will provide you with the opportunity to support an inclusive future, and assist in increasing representation in commercial photography.

Learn more about the benefits of Licensing your content here.

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This week in Editors’ Choice: Bold colors, action shots, and one-eyed subjects

Each week, members of the 500px team curate eye-catching photography from our talented and diverse community in Editors’ Choice. This week’s curation highlights bold colors, action shots, and one-eyed subjects. Check out this week’s roundup of some of the most intriguing photography on 500px, handpicked by our Editors. Check out this week’s roundup of some of the most intriguing photography on 500px, handpicked by our Editors.

Check out which photos are catching our Editors’ eyes today in Editors’ Choice!

Not on 500px yet? Sign up here to explore more impactful photography.

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