WTSPRNG is a springboard for young photographers. The initiative launched by the Art Buying departments of Jung von Matt, Kolle Rebbe, Scholz & Friends, thjnk and loved is dedicated to the promotion of up-and-coming photography talents up to 30 years of age. It culminates in an annual event in Hamburg. The 5th WTSPRNG will take place on 27 April, 2017. Young photographers are given the opportunity to present their work to art buyers at portfolio viewings to receive direct feedback. As a partner, GoSee encourages young photographers to participate in WTSPRNG and introduces Karen Blome this time around.
Karen Blome, born in Bremen, studied photography at Lette-Verein in Berlin. As a photographer, she discovered her organizational talents and her love for art buying and joined the art buying team at Jung von Matt in 2006. Two years later, she became a Senior Art Buyer until she moved to the Art Buying department of Kolle Rebbe in 2012. After her parental leave, she returned to Jung von Matt this spring. She has supported the WTSPRNG event for many years and looks forward to seeing young, fresh and confident photographers, to whom she would like to give a few tips in advance on GoSee.
A portfolio is a portfolio is a portfolio, ... or perhaps not? How does a photographer catch your attention and keep it, and how should they prepare their portfolio? The answers to these questions are complex and, above all, often very subjective. My advice sometimes, in particular to young photographers, is that not just one opinion, or mine for that matter, is what makes a portfolio good and complete. What's important is to be brave and take in as many opinions as possible and find your own middle. Accepting criticism, taking it seriously and also coming back when the portfolio has been rebuilt, I think is super.
After all of the mails and telephone calls I have every day, I am grateful for every authentic meeting. It is also important to make a good selection of the works and to not just put everything which you have ever made somewhere for someone into a portfolio.
And what kind of portfolio impresses you most? Personally, I am not exactly a fan of extraordinary portfolio formats – I find those that are large or brought by pigeon rather amusing! I am more impressed by young photographers who have already found their own language and remain true to their signature. Hardworking photographers who have turned their insides out and have ideas of their own can inspire others with their photographic art. When I ask questions like “Where does your heart bleed?” or “Where do you want to be in five years?” and only get the answer, “Well, I'll have to see where the trend is going,” is very depressing. Looking at a really good portfolio is like visiting a successful exhibition – it captivates me and inspires me!
What other ways are there to get noticed by an art buyer? Five years ago, we founded the Weitsprung event with four other important Hamburg-based agencies. It is a unique opportunity for young photographers to receive advice from a lot of art buyers in one single day. In the evening, there is a big event for the creatives from the agencies – who ultimately decide on the three best portfolios! This art buyer circle, of about 13-15 art buyers, is in constant contact with one another other.
Is a postcard in the portfolio a must? Sounds silly, but a personal business card with current telephone number and website is, unfortunately, not something you can always expect. Or a beautiful card with an expressive motif from the portfolio is something I still think is great! Simply being referred to an agent or getting an answer like, “I don't have it with me” or “It's old”, or "Never take it with me”, is in my opinion unprofessional and does not shed positive light on organizational talent.
Do you have tips on how photographers should design their website? The website should be clear in my opinion; The times of Flash and similar frills are over. What counts now, is what counts for the portfolio – content and structure.
How can someone access your link list? I have kept my archive in a link directory of my browser for a long time – and now, Evernote is the program I use for archiving. It is so much better for tagging and synchronizing. Everything ends up there that passes through Jung von Matt, or I see in magazines, at exhibitions, on GoSee, and at trade fairs such as update, Paris Photo etc.. JvM is a very large and creative agency with an extensive client portfolio, which requires a very broad global directory.
So apply now and be a part of WTSPRG No. 5! We cross our fingers while judging the winners. Here are a few impressions of this year's WTSPRNG.
