The Rose City Content Quest: Why Community Over Competition Matters
Listen… I’m not gonna lie. As a creative photographer, the idea of gatekeeping can sometimes sound super appealing.
Sometimes I get an idea so good that my first instinct is to keep it tucked away, because sharing it can feel like opening the door for someone else to take it and run.
But guess what?
I’ve learned that true art is all about your own personal interpretation. Two people can be given the exact same concept, location, prompt, or inspiration and walk away with completely different images. In fact, I think ideas can (and should ) feel collaborative when it comes to photography.
So, in an effort to battle the inner demons who want me to gatekeep every little creative spark, I decided to put together an event that was truly collaborative & a chance for local photographers and models to get together, have some fun, and get a little inside peek at how I approach creating an image.
And that’s how the Rose City Content Quest came to life.
Photo by @SVBPhotography_, model: @PrettySnazzyJazzy 
Photo by @SVBPhotography_, model: @PrettySnazzyJazzy 
Photo by @SVBPhotography_, model: @PrettySnazzyJazzy
What Is the Rose City Content Quest?
The Rose City Content Quest took place on August 29th around Portland’s picturesque waterfront and Old Town area.
The idea was simple: give creatives a reason to get together and make something cool.
The event was set up as a scavenger hunt. Each team received a list of fun prompts, posing ideas, and composition challenges. Photographers and models were paired up to join forces and embark on an evening adventure, capturing unique and interesting content along the way.
The challenge?
Complete as many items on the list as you could but do it from your own completely unique point of view.
Because that’s the whole point.
I didn’t want everyone walking away with the same photograph. I wanted to see what happened when different photographers took the same prompt and interpreted it through their own creative lens.
Collaboration Started Before the Event
I partnered with Jasmine Bailey, a model and friend who I’ve worked with on several projects in the past.
She helped me with event promotion and organizing materials, so for us, the collaboration started long before the event ever took place.
And I think that’s something that’s easy to overlook when we talk about creative collaboration.
The finished photo is only one part of it.
The brainstorming, planning, organizing, styling, posing, problem solving, hyping each other up, and figuring out how to turn an idea into something real are all part of the creative process too.
Eight Teams. One Evening. A Whole Lot of Creativity.
We had a total of eight teams show up for the event, and it was truly such a fun and special evening.
Each team made their way through the streets of downtown Portland, working together to complete as many challenges as possible.
And the content they created?
Epic.
What I loved most was seeing how differently everyone approached the same kinds of prompts.
The challenge wasn’t about who could create the “best” image.
It was about seeing what you could create with the idea in front of you.
And that’s exactly what I hoped would happen.
Check out some of the content the incredible teams made below!
& be sure to check out their instagram pages to see all the other amazing work they do! (all handles are in the photo captions)
Photo by @Kayrod_Photos, Model: @ReinyDay27 
Photo by @Kayrod_Photos, Model: @ReinyDay27 
Photo by @Kayrod_Photos, Model: @ReinyDay27 
Photo by @Kayrod_Photos, Model: @glowbysuhaila 
Photo by @Kayrod_Photos, Model: @glowbysuhaila 
Photo by @Bryantbayphotography, Model: @shayleighlynnn 
Photo by @Bryantbayphotography, Model: @shayleighlynnn 
Photo by @Bryantbayphotography, Model: @shayleighlynnn 
Photo by @Bryantbayphotography, Model: @shayleighlynnn 
Photo by @Bryantbayphotography, Model: @shayleighlynnn 
Photo by @a.shutter.darkly, Model: @Sara.Darkly 
Photo by @a.shutter.darkly, Model: @Sara.Darkly 
Photo by @a.shutter.darkly, Model: @Sara.Darkly 
Photo by @a.shutter.darkly, Model: @Chelse.Delic 
Photo by @a.shutter.darkly, Model: @Chelse.Delic 
Photo by @Joaniemaro, Model: @ReinyDay27 
Photo by @Joaniemaro, Model: @ReinyDay27 
Photo by @Joaniemaro, Model: @ReinyDay27 
Photo by @Joaniemaro, Model: @ReinyDay27 
Photo by @Joaniemaro, Model: @ReinyDay27
Why Community Over Competition Matters
Photography can be a weird industry.
There are so many photographers creating beautiful work, and it’s easy to fall into the mindset that everyone around you is competition, better than you, or more creative.
Who’s getting the clients?
Who’s scouting the better locations?
Who’s creating the coolest concepts?
Who’s getting more followers? More likes?
Whose work looks the most like what you wish you were creating?
I’ve definitely had moments where I’ve caught myself thinking that way. Imposter syndrome is so real.
But the more I create, the more I realize that another photographer’s success doesn’t take anything away from mine. There is room for all of us.
There is room for different styles, different perspectives, different experiences, different editing styles, different ideas, and different ways of telling a story through an image.
And honestly? Seeing another photographer take an idea and make it completely their own is one of my favorite parts of being creative.
Ideas Aren’t Really Meant to Stay Locked Away
I think sometimes we’re afraid that if we share an idea, someone will steal it.
And sure... creative copying happens. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t.
But an idea is only the beginning. The magic happens in the interpretation.
Your experience, your eye, your personality, your weird little brain, your relationship with your subject, the way you see light, the way you edit...all of those things change the final image!
Someone can start with the exact same idea and create something completely different.
That’s not a threat to creativity.
That IS creativity.
What I Took Away From the Rose City Content Quest
The Rose City Content Quest reminded me why I love working with other creatives so much.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your own creativity is step outside of your own little bubble.
Meet someone new.
Try something you’ve never tried before.
Let someone else interpret your idea.
Share something you’ve been working on.
Get excited about someone else’s work.
And maybe, just maybe, stop worrying so much about whether someone else is going to steal your idea.
Because there are always going to be more ideas.
And I’d rather be part of a creative community where we’re inspiring each other to make something amazing than one where everyone is afraid to share.
That’s the kind of creative community I want to build here in the Vancouver and Portland area.
More collaboration. More weird ideas. More experimentation. More people cheering each other on.
And hopefully, a whole lot more really cool photographs
Want to Create Something Together?
If you’re a photographer, model, stylist, makeup artist, or another kind of creative in the Vancouver or Portland area and you’re looking for someone to collaborate with, I’d love to hear from you.
Because I’m pretty sure there are a lot more creative sparks out there worth chasing
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