Friday Inspiration: PDN 30 All Grown Up

What happens when a major photo magazine shuts down? That question has reverberated throughout our office ever since Emerald Expositions, the owner of Photo District News (PDN), announced that the beloved magazine was ceasing publication. The decision to shift their focus to trade shows like Photo Plus Expo and WPPI isn’t exactly surprising, but that doesn’t make it any less devastating for the photography industry.

We’ve been big fans of PDN‘s gear announcements, industry news and attention to advertising and commercial photography for a long time. But today we’re focusing on one legacy in particular, PDN 30, which introduced us to an incredible set of photographers in the early stages of their promising careers. After checking in on some past PDN 30 honorees for nostalgia purposes, we want to highlight where a few of them are in their careers today.

Whether PDN tipped the scale in their favor and pushed these emerging photographers into the spotlight or simply accelerated an already unstoppable talent is impossible to ascertain, but either way, we’re forever grateful for the introductions.

Sirachai Shin Arunrugstichai – PDN 30 Class of 2019

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Marine fishes are sun-dried on wooden balcony with a swarm of flies at the fishing village on Langann Island, Myeik Archipelago, Tanintharyi Region, Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Although majority of over 800 islands of the Myeik archipelago are uninhabited with the rugged landscape and limited freshwater supplies, there are still some settlement on some of the islands, where the communities rely on small-scale fisheries and trades with passing boats. . . #fish #driedfish #seafood #marine #food #fishing #fisheries #livelihood #community #myeik #mergui #archipelago #tanintharyi #myanmar #andaman #andamansea #conservation #conservationphotography @ilcp_photographers @insidenatgeo

A post shared by Shin / Sirachai Arunrugstichai (@shinalodon) on Feb 3, 2020 at 11:52pm PST

Tasneem Alsultan – PDN Class of 2017

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“People always have an opinion or something to say but my parents never used it as a reason to stop their daughters from pursuing an education or a career. Of course one day I will want to marry but I’ve not met the man I want to live the rest of my life with….Until then I shall continue studying law” Ghada was born and raised in Hail, graduated from Qassim and is currently applying to study for a Masters degree in England. She is a part of a handful of women who were able to leave Hail to follow their passion and complete their education. A year ago she also cofounded a business for horseback riding. Part of my ongoing project #andthentherewerewomen supported by @catchlight.io #sauditalesoflove #hail #saudiarabia

A post shared by Tasneem Alsultan (@tasneemalsultan) on Feb 4, 2020 at 10:21am PST

Nils Ericson – PDN 30 Class of 2016

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Team Japan getting some practice laps in outside of Zürich, Switzerland

A post shared by Nils Ericson (@nilsericson) on Jan 31, 2020 at 5:59am PST

Theron Humphrey – PDN 30 Class of 2014

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Dogs wearing jackets always makes me smile, right?! ❤️

A post shared by Theron Humphrey (@thiswildidea) on Feb 5, 2020 at 1:35pm PST

Delphine Diallo – PDN 30 Class of 2013

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TRANSCENDING / AModaos @amodaos / Queen @soleitak / headpiece by @l_enchanteur / make up: @kaybeleh #noretouch. I can see a very bright future !!! AMoDAOS#February 1 at @eaton.dc / Washington DC / activation / collage workshop #Amodaos is a collective of wellness experts spearheading a bold movement to declare the head as a house for good living! They rethink traditional notions of religion, preventive medicine, as well as barbering and beauty culture to introduce holistic products, systems, and built environments for optimal beauty and vitality. They are grounded in the aesthetics and traditions of the african diaspora.

A post shared by Delphine Diallo (@delphinediallo) on Feb 1, 2020 at 5:51am PST

Emily Nathan – PDN 30 Class of 2005

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Quadrado colors @uxua #mytinyatlas

A post shared by Emily Nathan (@ernathan) on Jan 30, 2020 at 6:06pm PST

Be sure to follow us on Instagram for stunning images from our members, advice from the pros and more. 

Trevor Clark was highlighted on our feed this week. He’s talking about how he combined his adventurous spirit, love of storytelling, commercial photography and commitment to giving back to build a successful photography career.

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“When I was younger, all I wanted to do was tell cool outdoor #adventure stories. As I grew a bit into what I was doing, I realized I needed to find a way to mix that storytelling and creative and adventurous spirit with a bit more of a commercial twist if I ever wanted to make a living. And now, it is a mix of all of that with the added focus of giving back, or doing good with our work in one way or another. My wife and I work together, and the tagline for our business describes it perfectly: Explore. Create. Do Good. That is a message we choose to live by, and what we hope to pass on to our daughter.” – Trevor Clark (@clarkbourne_creative)

A post shared by PhotoShelter (@photoshelter) on Feb 3, 2020 at 12:37pm PST