The huge impact the internet has had in the new millennium brought about the emergence of a new breed of expatriates: professionals who find jobs online which allow them to relocate to foreign countries where they undergo a process of self-rediscovery. These expats usually do not conform to the more “traditional” (and better paid) job descriptions of doctors, engineers and lawyers who usually work long hours and earn enough money not to think of (or have time for) a hobby.
This is the case for Jerubem Era, or Bem to his friend and acquaintances, a Bangkok-based Filipino photographer who has been calling Thailand home since 2003. He “found” photography (or maybe photography found him) while working as a graphic designer at a media center in Bangkok. Part of his job was to gather stock photos for his work and soon he realized that he could take his own photos. “Photography and graphic design go hand-in-hand. Graphic designers work together with photographers,” said Bem recalling the moment he made his first investment in a professional camera.
Fast-forward more than a decade from his arrival in Thailand and, today, Bem is one of the founders of Photography Entrepreneurs, a photography and marketing group whose mission is “to focus on the bigger picture.” Jerubem Era has realized that nowadays anyone can take a decent photo on their mobile phone, use a free application to enhance the colors, and be able to publish it online. “The business side of photography is not only in taking good pictures, but also marketing and networking. And this is what Photography Entrepreneurs is doing.”
In our fast-paced society, most promotion is done through social media, something that Bem and his fellow photographers have realized from the very beginning. “We have created a logo, a Facebook group and page, and started to get the interest going by putting up article links, workshop details, and online advice for our members. We are building Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter accounts that are separate from our personal accounts too.” Basically, you’re on social media, you exist.
Since 2014, when Photography Entrepreneurs was founded, Bem was able to secure several collaborations with established and upcoming models, actors and actresses, as well as photographers from around the world. “Through the years I have developed an eye for capturing the angles that expresses the potential look of a model. I aim to capture their best look and also strive to find a way to surprise them,” explained Bem.
One could argue then that since most hardcore members of Photography Entrepreneurs still kept their full time jobs, this enterprise is just a hobby. The truth is that it started as a hobby and then it became a passion and later on a business model. But it’s not all about the money.
Having a steady income from a different source allows Bem and his team members to choose projects they’re most passionate about. “We feel lucky to be able to do what we like and that is why we think it’s our moral duty to give back to society. In the future we’re planning to organize seminars, workshops, and create tutorials to help other photographers just starting out. We’re also always looking for new opportunities to diversify our network and marketing reach and have already started collaborating with a YouTube channel.”
Even though times are changing fast and I see the huge potential of using social media and online platforms for displaying art, I still remain a strong believer that art has to be made available in a physical format too. So I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Bem had also joined several photography exhibitions, the most recent one at Neilson Hays Library in Bangkok.
The exhibition was organized by the Bangkok Photographers Group (BPG) and displayed seventy images by 26 photographers. “I submitted and got approved two images that showcase my surreal art. In these two photographs I wanted to express an idea that can be interpreted through striking visual elements. The first one is entitled, ‘Resilience’ and it shows a woman withstanding the storm by holding an umbrella. In ‘Longing and Waiting,’ the second photograph, I tried to express a feeling of hope by photographing a woman looking out of the window.”
If you’re interested in learning some photography tips and tricks, if you want to exchange ideas with like-minded people, or if you are looking for networking and marketing opportunities for your own work, then you can connect with Photography Entrepreneurs on Facebook or their website. To view more of Jerubem Era’s work, visit his official website.
Watch an interview with master photographer Erich Caparas, Bem’s role model:
For full interview, click here.
Initially published in Mango Metro (November 2015)
some great pics here thanks for sharing