'Community over competition' with Incounters

The decision to pick my camera back up and continue my journey in photography in Scotland brought me more than just the reassurance that I’ll always have photography, but allowed me to start coming out of my shell and being more open to meeting like-minded individuals who share the same excitement.

Sure, life would indeed be boring if we were all the same, and there is so much to learn from the multitude of people, personalities, and perspectives around us, but I never really fully grasped just how important it is to surround yourself with people who understand your way of thinking until relatively recently. Starting from meeting and collaborating with fellow creatives in Malta, to doing the same in Glasgow, to more recent ventures in Edinburgh and beyond, spending time with other creatives over the past half a year or so has been one of those things which I kick myself for not having started earlier. The energy and excitement in the air when two (or more) passionate creatives are talking about ideas is addictive to me, and when you weed out the negative energy and competition that inevitably comes ‘round with certain folk, there truly is so much to be gained by forming our little creative communities.

And this is where Incounters comes in. Zoe Stephen’s ambitious goal to bring more and more of us together on a regular basis has played a major role in helping me creep back out of my shell. Zoe works so hard to offer beautiful spaces like the Edinburgh Grand and Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum for everybody to enjoy, and not only have I managed to meet some gloriously talented people, but I’ve also managed to learn so much in the span of a few months simply through discourse.

Attending Incounters both as an attendee and as the community’s event photographer has allowed me to watch as relationships are formed and as they grow from one meet-up to the next. It’s hard not to smile and feel all sorts of warm fuzzy feelings whilst I creep about these events with my camera, capturing everything from that first awkward “Hello”, to the hearty laughter and clinking of glasses between new friends towards the end of the evening. What a vibe, you guys.

So, if you’re interested in what Incounters has to offer, please click here to be taken to the official Instagram page and have a look for yourself. Will you be at the next meet-up? I sure will!