A Letter From The Editor

How do you stay true to your artistic vision? In the following pages, you will get a glimpse of the unique way that ten artists respond to the complexity of the world through photography. They are expressing their own position in the world: their relationship to themselves and their relationship to the current cultural, economic and political situation.

I think of artists as “shock absorbers” because they let themselves be bothered. They take in the events around them—from the smallest moments to national tragedies or their complicated relationships with their families—and they respond. They pick up their cameras and do something. They resist complacency and mindless escapes from the difficult questions raised by the world, by their interactions with other humans and by historical and current events, and they provide a way for the rest of us to understand and see the world. Artists and photographs are the bravest people I know and ensuring that their work is seen by a wider audience is the most rewarding part of my job.

As the Editor of Emerging Photographer, it was a privilege to learn more about the world and about these photographers by seeing through their eyes. I hope you also enjoy this opportunity. To view the digital edition of Emerging Photographer and to learn more about our 2019 contest, visit emergingphotographer.com.

Katelyn Peters

Guest Judge Elise Swopes

Elise Swopes is a self-taught photographer, graphic designer and marketing influencer. Her mission is to create art with a message that has the ability to reach millions and continue to innovate in the increasingly multimedia landscape of digital communication.