Rare Earth invites you to join us in congratulating Bonnie Hoskin for answering the wonderful call to get her whimsy on and winning this month's 50/50 Challenge! Bonnie is a seasoned photographer who regularly shares her work on Facebook and ShareBug. Please give her and Traditions Photography a like and a follow over on Facebook . Below is Bonnie's winning image, what she had to say about taking on this challenge, and Joel's feedback.

Rare Earth Outreach is over the moon to have Guest Judge Teri Hofford on board for the February 2023 50/50 Challenge. We encourage you to spend the next couple of days getting to know about this body image educator, photographer, and author dedicated to helping people navigate the squidgy feelings that get in the way of living this one, glorious life before the match Brief drops on February 1st, 2023. #bodyimage #bodypositive #selflove #entrepreneur #mindset #empowerment #creative #perfectlynaturalrevolution

As you read this post, consider how dependant the world is on the all of the creative professionals working for, with, and within the Photographic Arts Community - from photographers and videographers to HMUAs and models to designers and directors involved in the process - to provide the images and videos that provide not just content but context, illustration, and clarification for everything from news to sales to stories. This week's #seventhings highlights one of the primary reasons Rare Earth came to be: removing barriers and empowering marginalised individuals, which are disproportionately represented within the Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit communities of Turtle Island. LISTEN   to this podcast on Indigenous stock photography. A quick scroll through "indigenous" images on Google or  Adobe's stock photography page  reveals how the dominant representation of Indigenous peoples is limited to costumes and stereotypes, completely devoid of "normal" things li...

 Ripping Off the Mask of Imposter Syndrome A Special Guest Blog written by photographer, mentor, and mental health advocate Joel Robison 

The Photographic Arts Community is broad and diverse. It includes not only the people wielding a camera, but the creatives working in tandem and collaboration as well as those behind the scenes. From graphic designers and make-up artists to art directors and claymators to popular personalities on various platforms, Rare Earth Outreach hopes that this week's #seventhings will inspire curiosity and conversation on what messages show up in medium.

Welcome to 2023, wherein we begin to expand the scope of #seventhings from reconciliation (listening and acknowledging) towards decolonisation (action and accountability.) Change begins with changing your mindset, and we hope the links provided before will help you set the tone for the New Year with a new way of thinking! LEARN  from lecturer and speaker Kevin Lamoureux why decolonisation is often met with fear or irritation, but should be viewed as a way of seeing the tools of oppression that affect all of us negatively and used as a healing gift that paves the road to a better world for future generations.  FOLLOW  Media Indigena, a curated Twitter feed about decolonisation. (PS they also have a blog and podcast if reading or listening is more your jam... choose your preferred platform by clicking HERE .) DISCOVER  tools for integrating decolonisation in your daily thoughts and life. LISTEN  to these songs about resisting colonial erasure. READ  this blog...

The BAD news WAS... due to circumstances beyond our control we had to postponed our First Annual Summit & Retreat in November 2022 to February 2023. WHEN is this happening? The GOOD news IS... that means you can still join us!!! Here's what you need to know: WHERE is this taking place? Nestled in Treaty 6 territory near the Onion Lake Cree Nation, this event is being hosted at a lakeside residence about 15 minutes from of Lloydminster, AB. Carpooling is available (and encouraged!) so add your requests and offers when you register! WHAT will we be doing there? Conversation, professional development workshops, playtime, star and aurora gazing (or shooting), nature walks by day or night, Uncomfortable Conversations with our Special Guests, naps, and whatever else ends up happening. ( See the complete schedule here .)  HOW MUCH does it cost (and where does the money go?) Registration is $275 which includes all programming, instruction, materials, snacks, beverages, and meals, plus ...

JANUARY 2022 50/50 MATCH BRIEF Wonder-full Whimsy-call “Think left and think right and think low and think high.  Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”  ~Dr. Suess   The Shooting Range is thrilled (and a bit giddy) to officially kick off 2023 with a call to make the journey into a world full of whimsy and wonder with Guest Judge Joel Robison ! Rare Earth and TSR can state It’s time for us to instigate Your urge and need to demonstrate  Ways to photo manipulate Which may mean to accentuate  The image that you generate  With things that will illuminate  Or levitate or animate, Disintegrate or illustrate  Or perhaps look like they might inflate.  The winner needs to fabricate  An image that will simulate  (But not exactly replicate)  The whimsy of your magistrate  Such that some smiles will he make.  The one who will decide your fate  Has tools to get you out the gate. That ought to help facilitate...