The [ED]it // Edition 006. Independence

On being a freelancer, independence, and building a network, plus news, one image and endnotes.

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On being independent

Happy Independence Day to all my family and friends in the USA - though I note that not all people in America have their freedom or independence and we must work towards equality for all, especially Native Americans, whose land and freedom was taken from them.

“What comes next?

You've been freed.

Do you know how hard it is to lead?

You're on your own –

Awesome, wow!

Do you have a clue what happens now?”

Lyrics from the song “What Comes Next?” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the musical Hamilton

When deciding to go freelance, I knew that everything about my business and practice was going to be down to me. I’d be independent, which is variously defined in the dictionary as being “free from outside control; not subject to another's authority; not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence”. As someone who has spent my whole post-graduate life in workplaces where there are other people to go to about accounting, equipment, marketing and media amongst many other things, the idea of this new kind of independence was especially daunting. It can make you feel rather small and alone, with no one to lean on.

What I’ve learned so far, though, is if you put yourself out there, with vulnerability and humility, you can find supportive communities that will provide you with advice and help. This can be hard to do. I know I find it hard to approach someone, in person or online, and strike up a conversation. However, the more I have overcome my fear to email or talk to someone, the more rewarding I have found the act of introducing myself and my work to someone else. Having supportive people in your network is a key ingredient to being freelance. And fundamental to that is building your network. You don’t have to be alone, or completely independent.

I am enriched by the people in my network every day, and I hope they also find my presence positive. At the Kiln Photo Workshops in Badshot Lea, where I am a member, there are people working on inspiring projects in different areas of photography and alternative photographic processes. At Little Acres, where I have my studio, the other studios are occupied by makers and artists in different disciplines. I find being exposed to these different ideas and practices very stimulating. It helps me get out of a rut when I focus too much on my own genre of photography. But within my genre, I can also find support. The Association of Photgraphers (AOP) and National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are professional bodies which support photographers. Their forums are a gold mine of experience and information. I have also found other, more informal groups focused on things from book-making to business that have been extremely rewarding to be part of. These have all been lifelines during my initial year as a freelance photographer.

So, in order to have a fulfilling life as a freelancer, in any profession, I think building these networks are key to making it work. I had been thinking about going freelance for a long time before making the leap, and one of my mental barriers was the thought of everything resting on my own shoulders. The responsibility. But I’m not going to throw away my shot at this. As my network has grown and I’ve gathered so much insight through it, I’ve felt some of that weight lift. Independence doesn’t mean doing it all on your own, but it does mean making it work for you.

What does independence mean to you? What key things help you day-to-day? How do you go about building your network?

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// News

Surrey Artist Open Studios

I took part in Surrey Artists Open Studios (SAOS) in June and received a lot of feedback on the work I presented. You can read more here.

Many Voices, One Nation book

I’m delighted that images form my project on people in New York and Vermont of North Welsh heritage were included in the Many Voices, One Nation book. More on the book launch and other photographers work included here.

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// One image

Penrhyn slate quarry seen from across the Carneddi in Bethesda.

The quarrying of slate is synonymous with North Wales and slate is part of the landscape almost everywhere you go there. It is also intrinsically part of the story of several people I have photographed… continues on my website.

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// Endnotes

1. This year’s Northern Eye Festival, in October, has a fantastic looking list of speakers. Hosted and produced by Paul Sampson of Oriel Colwyn, the festival uses the Colwyn Bay theatre for talks as well as businesses and empty shops around the town as pop-up gallery spaces. It is a great utilisation of community space with the aim of helping to regenerate the town.

2. James Rebanks, a farmer and author from the Lake District, had a bit of a Twitter rant about the UK’s recent trade deal with Australia, which he then coaxed into an article. It’s worth reading to understand how British farming will be placed under enormous pressure to try to compete, with detriment to the UK’s biodiversity and ecosystems. It is further evidence, for me, that my project photographing farms using environmentally aware practices and regenerative agriculture methods is topical.

3. We recently spent a lovely, off-grid, long weekend near Braunton, North Devon in a small, converted linhay. This area of the country will be familiar to photographers who know the work of Chris Chapman, James Ravilious and Roger Deakins. Beaford Arts hosts the archives of James Ravilious and Roger Deakins, which you can explore at your leisure online. Beaford, in partnership with the Devon Wildlife Trust, recently commissioned Robert Darch to photograph efforts to control Ash tree dieback as well as restore and renew the woods and forested area of Devon.

4. Poetry unbound is one of my favourite podcasts. It’s partly because Pádraig Ó Tuama has such a wonderful voice, partly because he is so skilled at helping the listener into the poetry through his interpretation, and partly because I am introduced to poems by so many wonderful poets. On my recent road trip to Cardiff, I was captivated by his reading and interpretation a poem of incredible strength, vulnerability and resilience. Listen to ‘Wonder Woman’, by Ada Limón, here.

Thank you for reading The [ED]it. I hope you enjoyed it. Please forward this on to anyone else you think might enjoy it, and please do get in touch by leaving your thoughts in the comments or contacting me via email at edbrydon@gmail.com

Take care,

Ed

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About me:

I am a photographer and writer available for commissions based near Farnham, Surrey, in south east England, just 45 minutes from London. I also regularly work in North Wales. 

My more recent work explores personal connections to place, the land and natural environment, how each of those, and the connections between them, are changing. 

In 2017 my ongoing project on people of North Welsh heritage in the northeast US was exhibited at Northern Eye Festival. I was subsequently awarded a commission from the Welsh Parliament in 2019 to make new work for exhibition around Wales in 2019-20. 

You can find out more on my website here.

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