Throughout 2014, the Denim+Grace editorial team noticed a level of slander, defamation, and bullying amongst artists in the photography industry that’s simply unprecedented. From artists slamming artists, to artists slamming companies, to companies slamming each other- there’s a whole lot of ugly going on in our universe. A creative universe whose driving force is built on the foundation of capturing and displaying beauty for all the world to see. We’re not showing our beauty though. Were showing hate in both our words and actions. And hate is NEVER beautiful.
Some may reply that Haters gonna hate. We don’t believe this simple response is the way it has to be. It doesn’t address the issue and doesn’t hold those who behave ugly and disgraceful accountable. Haters gonna hate only sweeps the problem under the rug. Our nations leaders, school systems, and the general public have been addressing bullying and hate against age groups, ethnicities and sexual orientations (to name a few) for
years now. So why can’t we as a community band together to address and overcome the hate going on in our industry amongst peers? We here at Denim+Grace believe we can certainly make a dent in changing the way we see and interact with each other.
Campaign: Celebrate, and our Don’t Hate. Celebrate! Pledge, was developed over the last 6 months, after numerous conversations with readers and colleagues across the country, to help bring awareness to the hate and slander in the photography industry.
We believe in collaboration. In lifting our industry up as a whole. In rejuvenating the spirit of those broken and burnt out. In restoring passion
We believe every photographer is worth celebrating.
ABOUT THE PLEDGE PIECES
WERE CALLING ON YOU, OUR READERS, TO TAKE OUR DONT HATE. CELEBRATE! PLEDGE.
PIECE 1
We’re asking you to commit your words and actions to celebrate the work and achievements of your peers.
To come from a place of positivity, instead of a place of hate.
To take negativity, jealousy and hate completely out of your vocabulary and mindset- both in public and private.
PIECE 2
We’re asking you to embrace diversity. Embrace healthy forms of competition.
We’re asking you to actively engage in collaborative efforts. Encourage collaboration within and outside our industry.
PIECE 3
We’re asking you to show grace to those who haven’t changed their heart and actions to a place of positivity.
Will you be perfect? Of course not. Neither will we. But as part of taking our pledge, we ask that when you do let hate creep in, that you hold your self-accountable and make it right with those affected by your words or actions.
SHOW GRACE IN ALL THAT YOU DO. BECAUSE HATE IS A NASTY 4 LETTER WORD.