Give Some Photos Away, Get Invited To Speak at The Apple Store


I've been using Unsplash for various work projects since they launched and a few months ago decided to "give back" in my own way. I selected some photos I shot that I considered to be my favorites (and ones that I thought might just be good enough for the Unsplash crowd) and uploaded them to my account. Turns out, some of them were well received.

Back in August, a photo that I took with my iPhone was featured at the Apple Store in Montreal during an Unsplash event. It was blown up to something like 40”x56” which is awesome and something I wish I could’ve seen in person.

Well recently, Unsplash invited me to two more events. One was an event at the SoHo Apple Store and the other was a very casual get together where I was their featured photographer. Both in New York City, which I love visiting whenever I can.





Why am I telling you this? Because while I don't consider myself a professional photographer, I think it's kind of amazing that Unsplash opened some doors that I'm sure many would be jealous of. If photography is your business, wouldn't you want to show off your work like this?

What I'm recommending is that you give something away (Jeff Goins gets this idea). In my case it was photos, in yours it may be consulting time.

I feel confident in saying that if I didn't give my photos away on Unsplash, I wouldn't have been asked to be on a three person panel in front of 70 people at the SoHo Apple Store. While I don't know what's going to come from my [limited] involvement with Unsplash, I'm proud to have been given the opportunities they've extended.

Consider loosening your grip and you may be amazed at what possibilities present themselves.

Unsplash and Apple Montreal

I recently submitted a few photos to Unsplash for anyone in need of a "non-stock stock image" to download and use and I'm extremely proud to have one photo in particular featured by Unsplash. The photo below was taken on my iPhone 5 while visiting Yosemite Valley a few years ago and I truly just stumbled into this shot as I emerged from my tent.


"All photos published on Unsplash are licensed under Creative Commons Zero which means you can copy, modify, distribute and use the photos for free, including commercial purposes, without asking permission from or providing attribution to the photographer or Unsplash."

There was an event recently at the Apple Store in Montreal and Unsplash showcased my photo in a huge 60x40" frame and then shared a photo of it through Twitter. I'm not a professional photographer but it made my day to see my photo displayed and enjoyed by so many people.

While I don't usually toot my own horn, pardon me while I do just that here.


August 20, 2015:

"Unsplash x Apple Inc. Partnership in Montreal. Last night, we got to feature some of Unsplash's photographs that were shot on an iPhone. The photographs were super awesome, and we received lots of love 😍 Thank you Apple and everyone that came out to support us."