Hey friends, I’m celebrating a small milestone this week. Facebook reminded me that on July 6, 2006, I launched the original flakphoto.com. Does anyone remember that? Those early days were exciting: the blogosphere was percolating, and social media hadn’t yet rotted our brains. I got my first taste of Web 2.0 dabbling on LiveJournal and chatting with photographers on Google Groups. One day, I had an idea that it would be fun — and creative — to launch a photoblog featuring a new artist every day.
Voilà! FlakPhoto was born.
Back then, it was incredibly novel to put a line out and get emails from around the world. Kristen and I were living in a one-bedroom apartment on Rutledge Street, and I vividly remember waking up each morning to log into my Gmail and see the pictures that people had emailed me from across the globe. Isn’t that quaint?
I’ve learned a lot about photography since then. In retrospect, FlakPhoto changed my life. I have always loved pictures, but I also love people, and this project has introduced me to more rewarding friendships than I can count. The original FlakPhoto blog died a few years ago. Not long after, I started writing this newsletter. In 2022, I rebooted it on Substack, and it continues to connect me with creative people from around the world.
That said, I would love to hear from you, dear reader, especially if we haven’t met yet.
Are you an artist, writer, or photographer? Where are you based? What are you working on these days? You can reply directly to this newsletter or email me via flakphoto@gmail.com. Please drop a line when you have some time. I love hearing from fellow artists and look forward to learning about you and your projects.
I appreciate our photo community more than almost anything, and your images and ideas continue to sustain and inspire me. Thank you, as always, for being here and sharing your images with me. I'll keep going if you will!✌️📸
July 2025 FlakPhoto Community News
Subjectively, Objective Photobook Call for Entries & Artist Feature #38
Applications Open For The 46th Annual W. Eugene Smith Fund Grants
En Foco is seeking a Grants & Development Manager to join our team
Sustain-A-City: Art for Environmental Justice Open call for art ends July 28
Women Street Photographers Artist Residency deadline is July 14
One more thing…
Photographer Rich-Joseph Facun is nearing the final day of his Kickstarter photobook fundraiser. Anyone who purchases a copy of his new book, 1804, by Thursday, July 10, will be entered to win “The Trilogy” rewards package. This special bundle includes signed copies of all three of Rich’s photobooks, Black Diamonds, Little Cities, and 1804. Rich has raised 75% of his goal and has just a few hours left to reach his target. The pledge window closes at midnight on Friday, July 11. Go, Rich!
Yes, I am an artist, and I love color. I also love travel, esp. the (human) connection it brings. For now you can find me at PicturesTravels.org. This blog contains my travel writing and photography. Still finding a way to showcase my painting 😀. Some of it is on Instagram @annemiekekes. Connection is key.
Photographers don't have to commit to being an artist. That's what's nice about it.
https://www.andybosselman.com