#SMWNYC

STORIES: With Great Influence Comes Great Responsibility. Ultimately, stories have the power to influence the world and the people who consume them, and with this influence comes responsibility.

1. Stories: Social media has become the world’s most influential storytelling platform. The stories we tell have the ability to touch and inspire, and shake people to their cores. They can elevate people, educate them, and change them—or, they can divide us and tear us down.

The number of social media users worldwide in 2018 is 3.2 billion, up 13 percent year-on-year. By 2020 almost 5 billion people will be connected. Social Media Week (SMW) is one of the world’s premier conferences and industry news platforms for professionals in media, marketing and technology.

2. Vulnerability. Brands now must encourage vulnerability, not to isolate consumers, but to celebrate their differences — engaging focused communities, sharing insightful, relevant content, and allowing passionate people to connect with one another.
What's your P.O.V? (Power of Vulnerability)

Tips taken from the session with Amy Emmerich/Refinery29: To Service – not sell – to your audience. Keywords: Celebrate, Strenght, Connection, Joy. What is the solution you offer to your customer's problem? Claim your Power, the Power of Vulnerability.

3. Connection. Vulnerability: how true connection is formed. Brands: use connection over perfection. Many speakers mentioned connection, but Lola Banjo explains it perfectly, fear is the emotion that prevents true vulnerability.

Vulnerability: how true connection is formed

Lola - I froze my eggs - Banjo: The Fear of Being judged, Lola talked about Not being relevant, Losing friends, Being overlooked. Vulnerability is: Accepting yourself first, Believing you are worthy, Celebrating growth opportunities. Letting down your guard, Embracing others.

4. Authenticity. Authenticity + Vulnerability: being who you are and allowing others to be who they are. Embrace your journey, engaging in honest dialogue, living with gratitude. Brands: focus on human factors, tell real stories and be humble.
Being vulnerable has vastly improved both my personal and professional life

Bonus word: Zeitgeist, the spirit of the times. Zeitgeist is the defining spirit or mood of a particual period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. Tijdsgeest in Dutch. In a time when everyone is polarized, it is critical as marketers to tell stories at key moments that bring people together.

How to Harness the Cultural Zeitgeist: Hey Google campaign during the Oscars.

More zeitgeist: since its founding in 2006, charity: water has raised over $300M to bring clean drinking water to more than 9.5 million people around the globe. Renowned for its 100% donation model, bold storytelling, imaginative branding, and radical commitment to transparency.

Founder Scott Harrison has pioneered a new business model for non-profits, one that has earned them the reputation as being one of the most trusted and admired nonprofits in the world. Harrison is the author of bestseller Thirst.

'To use the powers you were given to the benefit of others'

(quote by Scott Harrison) #SMWNYC 2019. Social Media Week brings together marketing, media and technology professionals from more than 50 countries with a curiosity and passion for new ideas, innovations and emerging trends in social media.

More SMC events: LA 12-13 June (Santa Monica), London 31 October-1 November. Nederland/Holland 13-14-15 November (Den Haag/The Hague).

Photos & text: Melanie E. Rijkers LinkedIn

Eyespiration.com © 2019

How to take photos at a fashion show, surviving the photographers pit

10 tips to get that stunning photo at a fashion show

1) Be On Time
It's all about planning. Make sure you are there way before the show starts and when you've found the perfect spot:

2) Mark Your Spot
Put your tripod there, or leave your bag, or mark it with tape and !!!!! write down your name with a lot of !!!!! to make sure others do not dare to take it.

3) Make Friends
Really, shouting at your fellow photographer doesn't really help you. Make sure you bond with a few of your colleagues, so you can e.g. take turns when you need to eat, pee or just stretch your legs.

4) Do Not Wear High Heels
I've seen the most fashionable lady photographers balancing on high heels in the pit, standing, sitting, even half lying down, and they all sighed: 'My feet are killing me!!' So better wear or bring an extra pair of sneakers.

5) Make Sure To Bring Extra Batteries, Body, Lens, Memory Cards
and keep these at your side. I know, a little obvious right? But when a photographer ran out of batteries during the show and walked off the platform ruining the film of the guy standing next to him, he didn't make friends.

6) Be Invisible
To me being polite and rather invisible got me more good photos than being a rude and emphatic photographer. Might depend a bit on which mood you're in.

7) Work Out
Yes, as in excercise. Taking photos of five shows at AFWL meant standing in the same spot for over 12 hours. Hardly any room to move your feet. I did a few on-the-spot lunges etc to keep the blood flowing, and after a few weary looks from my collegues they admitted they had sore backs, legs or worse, cramped hands from holding the camera all day and so much more. You're not alone in this!

8) Find Your Zen
Not joking. When you are in the same spot for a long time, with more waiting than action time, you need to be able to find your zen, to be mindful and happy as otherwise your photos will suck. If you are stressed, you'll use the wrong lighting, shutterspeed or other and you'll be even  more pissed. Om.

9) Know Your Gear
You don't have to be a professional photographer, but you must know the right camera settings to take your best photo. Which aperture suits your style? f 1,8 or f 5,6? Shutterspeed? Lens? My Canon colleagues were having more trouble finding the right white balance than me (Nikon D700). Always try to shoot in RAW. This way you can adjust the image perfectly afterwards.

10) The Right Moment
Last but not least, it's all about the right timing. Make sure to shoot the model's walking in her nicest way, with the best leg up front. Sometimes models walk fast, sometimes they don't even stop at the end of the runway. So make sure you get that photo, with the clothing visible in its most perfect way.

The right moment

f 1.8

When you take photos from the side, that one leg has to be in front

AFWL2015
I am back in London, to visit the Africa Fashion Week 2015 at the Olympia in Hammersmith. Being a professional photographer for nearly 20 years, I am thrilled to work with these beautiful and inspiring people again. Never before I was here for the full two days so I am so happy to be here. This time I am intrigued by the photographers' pit, the podium where all the camera people are during the show. Shall I? Or shall I stick to my story and take slow journalism, backstage and other pictures?

When they call for the photographers to take their place, I decide to go for it and see how it works in the pit. I find a spot at the right and had to tell the photographers behind me, who were setting their tripods up on the podium, that I will not be sitting down but will be standing up while taking pictures. A lot of my colleagues in the front sat down and stayed there for the rest of the time. I felt tempted to do so too, but decided the best view would be standing up, as I don't want to take photos 'up the models' nostrils'.

To be in this buzzing, over-heated and over-crowded spot is so not me
There are five shows in two days, you think you can always decide to leave your spot and come back. So you think. Wrong. When I return after my first show and see there's no bag on the edge, nor tripod or any other marking I decide to take that spot on the platform. Boy was I wrong. At some moment there's a little guy with a monopod who eagerly approaches the podium and starts telling us 'That's my spot! That's my spot!' in a loud way. I am shocked about his furious way of doing, as there was no marking, no bag, no nothing in that spot.

Anyway, I stick to my spot but apparently we have to allow him to be there, so we all move a bit to let him be. "Man, be polite" I tell him and he again starts about this being his spot. Okay, okay, we get it. More photographers behind me agree with me he's just very rude, but I do not want to be too annoyed by it so I focus on the upcoming show.

We were waiting for more than one hour prior to each show. Also the photographers in the perfect centre spot almost weren't leaving at all, just to keep that position. Anything for a good photo right? I now know why they are so eager to do so, as from the photographer's pit it's the most perfect position to watch the show. A true dream spot.

It turned out to be an obsession to most photographers, how to get that perfect view, how to be in that perfect spot. I e.g. noticed the models were turning right mostly, so being at the left side of the platform would've been better to get perfect photos. I also noticed a lot of the sitting down photographers were all aching in the end, complaining about sore butts, and more, as being in one spot for over two hours is really hard, and remember: this times five! So yes, it truly is hard work.


But I am glad I did it, what an experience, being front row in the photographers' pit for the very first time...

and some photos of the pit:

Silver Woman

While attending the Africa Fashion Week in London I noticed that next to being colour fans, they love grey hair too, and boy do they look good with it!

Then model and designer Pinamoiselle wrote:
"Hi, I saw you yesterday at #afwl and I thought u looked beautiful with your silver hair"

Thank you!! :) :)

and yes, Sola and I both turned pretty grey since 2009 when I first worked with Mahogany International in London ;) No, not grey, SILVER foxes we are :)

AFWL Africa Fashion Week London

2015 Press Launch

Africa Fashion Week London has hosted four catwalk events since inception in 2011 and contributed expertise to at least 10 more events produced by 3rd parties such as The Mayor of London’s Black History Month celebrations and the annual Africa Centre Summer Festival.

AFWL showcased over 300 designers to almost 45,000 visitors including buyers, retailers and other industry professionals; and our open-to-the-public events are becoming a highlight on the annual fashion calendar.

Brand Ambassador 2015: 

International model and founder of the Georges Malaika Foundation Noella Coursaris Musunka.

"We are so happy Noella is Brand Ambassador for AFWL 2015. She has been a great friend and supporter of our event and ethos over the years and a compassionate, hardworking, beautiful individual who understands our drive to showcase the best of Africa."
Ronke Ademuliyi - Founder AFWL

"I am delighted to be serving as this year’s Brand Ambassador to Africa Fashion Week London and to help showcase the brilliant work of African designers. It has always been my belief that fashion can be a tool for breaking down barriers and transcending cultures. This industry has the ability to put Africa on the world stage and can provide for countless job opportunities on the ground and abroad, from local factories to international shops. It is time for the world to see the amazing talent that lies within Africa."
Noella Coursaris Musunka

Africa Fashion Week London is celebrating it's 5th season! A cacophony of African design, talent and diverse ethnic influences that contribute to fashion in the UK. Since debuting in 2011, this inspirational event has gone from strength to strength; championing new and emerging designers who are inspired by the rich culture of Africa and incorporate this heritage into their contemporary design.

Only a few tickets are left so make sure you have reserved yours before they all sell out!

For VIP, Gold or Platinum tickets please visit this link to purchase your tickets.


This year's Africa Fashion Week London will be at Olympia West Hall on Friday 7th August and Saturday 8th August 2015.

Maggie Smith - Winner of The Face of AFWL 2015

Social Media Week Rotterdam 2014

This week it's Social Media Week in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I offered to tutor my Mindfulness with Photography Workshop, so I did yesterday and will do tomorrow again. It was a lot of fun!

The key word for social media now seems te be 'ambassador', as this is what your clients / fans / reposters / likers are.

Isabel Mosk of Think! spoke about destination marketing and how to use your (city) ambassadors, have them create stories. Storytelling was another key word of the #smw14 

To look at someone's travel pics makes you want to go to that destination, did you know the most stories on Facebook are about travel (stories) and that people admit when seeing a friend's holiday pictures it inspires them to go to that destination.

The Destination Experience - like Bristol's taxis were hospitality trained and now also function as tourist info points.

When she showed the video Canada explored by Canadians I immediately thought that even though residents (amateurs) created all footage, you really need a team editing those shots into one flashing, cool video. Professional image makers know how to.

Remarkable stories are shared. Make sharing accessible - cities who provide free wifi have more online (free) content - I immediately had to think of my own city Breda. A few years ago there was a city marketing campaign, but now not so much. Breda Next only just started ('city making') and I thought why not think of a good # for Breda and free wifi will do the rest.

We are the city of image culture, and I learned at MOTI image culture is all around us. Breda should be remarkable. Rovaniemi, Lapland - home of Santa -  does a really good job! Use passionate niches.

Two of my photos on the wall

Michele Boccamazzo talked about Philips' Instagram campain: 

people who follow you want to know about your experience. Again: storytelling. 

Q: How can Philips design an experience on Instagram? As a start they just reposted content, not creating new content. Then the #led story of a lady going to work in city was introduced - as street lights change the city - from yellow to white. People started a conversation online when noticing the difference.

Latest campaign #lightislife is slightly different, Philips took the concept light as start - Philips being the light company - but also without light there is no photography and 'light is also hope'. Philips wants to inspire people in another way instead of selling the product. Inspiration by storytelling but not only by photographs. 

Influencers are not photographers, it's not just about pictures.

Now I ask myself: What do we need to be then? We ARE image makers, making image culture. But: 

A photo says more than a 1000 words. We must never forget - as #beeldinflatie (image inflation) is here now.

How do you to choose the right content?? By hiring an image maker as advisor, not so much as content creator, more like an editor!