Flickr Blog2026-03-24T18:10:28Zhttps://blog.flickr.net/en/feed/atom/WordPressjosie<![CDATA[ICYMI New and Updates March 2026]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=926682026-03-24T18:10:28Z2026-03-24T18:10:28Z
Spring is in the air and so is a whole lot of Flickr energy. This past month we’ve announced an exciting, first of its kind photography festival, featured some incredible photographers on the blog and through Flickr galleries and boosted the signal for our Photojournalism Flickr group. Here’s a quick recap to catch you up on all of the details and exciting announcements.
MODE by Flickr: The World’s Photography Festival
Flickr officially announced MODE, a brand new and immersive three-day photography festival coming to Minneapolis, September 18-20. Built on Flickr’s 22 years of connecting photographers worldwide, MODE is designed to bring the community together in person for the kind of creative energy and connection that only happens face-to-face. To learn more about MODE and some of the awesome lineup announced so far, visit modefestival.com.
Photographer Spotlight with Web Betty
Speaking of creativity, we recently interviewed Melissa Johnson, aka Web Betty. Melissa is a Colorado based photographer who celebrates the community around her by capturing joy, color, artistic expression and connection through her photography. To learn more about Melissa’s journey as a photographer along with some tips on how to photograph the unique beauty and personalities of the communities around you, don’t miss our newest edition of Photographer Spotlight on the Flickr blog.
Honoring Women’s History Month
For Women’s History Month we joined the celebrations happening around the country amplifying women’s voices, visions and at Flickr, photography. This month we featured three photographers who shared galleries of their work along with personal stories about their photography and what photography means to them. Make sure to spend some time getting to know each one of them and then hand out some faves and follows to other women photographers that inspire you. Also, keep an eye out for this month’s Explore Takeover, going up on Thursday March 26th. We’ve dedicated all 500 images of March’s Takeover to the women on Flickr and it’s not one to miss!
Calling all visual storytellers!
Our Photojournalists of Flickr group is the place for photographers passionate about documenting the world as it unfolds. Whether you’re capturing breaking news, everyday moments or the stories that don’t make the headlines, this community is built for you. Join to share your work, discover powerful imagery from fellow photographers and be part of a group that believes photography has the power to inform and connect us all.
Monthly photo challenge: MODE edition!
To celebrate the upcoming MODE festival, we’ve launched a photo challenge inspired by the MODE themes. Join the MODE by Flickr group, check out the current theme (Motion) and submit up to 5 photos using the challenge tag. Each month we’ll choose a winner to receive a MODE box packed with festival goodies including a Flickr Pro Interactive Pass for MODE. The first theme is Motion, so start shooting. Head to the MODE by Flickr group to join and visit modefestival.com to learn more about the festival coming to Minneapolis, September 18-20.
That’s a wrap on this month. Stay tuned to the Flickr blog as there are more exciting announcements just around the corner!
Not a Flickr member yet? Sign up today to join our community of photographers and find your inspiration.
]]>georgeoates<![CDATA[Introducing TokyoMorningDetails and his Flickr archive]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=925592026-03-23T01:22:22Z2026-03-19T15:17:07ZLast year, the Flickr Foundation launched an archiving tool for Flickr: Data Lifeboat. Since it launched in November, hundreds of Flickr archives have been made. We’ve taken the chance to highlight some Flickr members as great examples, and talk with those people about their experiences on Flickr, showcase their Data Lifeboat archives, and learn more about their practice.
To that end, let me introduce you to Greg Friedman, who goes by TokyoMorningDetails on Flickr. His beautiful documentary of morning life in Tokyo is rich with colour, light, and everyday life, and he’s chosen his Morning Selection album to display as an archive on our Showcase page. Thank you, Greg!
Flickr Foundation: Why did you start taking photos?
Greg: When I started taking photos seriously in about 2020, it was out of a desire to document and share the life I saw around me, life as expressed in the little things found in and around people’s living spaces. So many of the people doing interesting photography on flickr are expatriates, people living in new surroundings. For those of us like that, our adopted place/culture stimulates us to try to grasp it, to make sense of it, and to play with it. I think Japan is often portrayed in fairly narrow, stereotyped ways, and I wanted to share the Japan of everyday life.
FF: Who or what has most influenced your approach to photography?
Greg: My favorite photographer remains Andre Kertesz, who never failed to find the remarkable, even in the most mundane situations. But I had two early influences on how I view the world, or on how it can be seen. One was the Japanese painter Yozo Hamaguchi, who gets close and personal with tiny things. Another was the nature photographer Eliot Porter, who focused on the details of nature, rather than its grand aspects. (In a sense, I’m also a nature photographer. I photograph human nature and human lives as seen in their creations and arrangements.) I have to mention one more person, which is the mom of one of my childhood friends. She took us boys on early morning excursions because she wanted to show us how special the world is in those hours before the world gets underway in earnest. That experience of the magic of “pre-civilization” stayed with me, I believe, so I am grateful to her.
FF: How has your photography changed since you started?
Greg: Over the past couple of years, it feels like a new species of photo has entered my vocabulary, one that’s more about light than about objects.That’s probably a natural progression, given the wonderful light here in Tokyo. Yet at the same time I have a desire to return to the basics, to get back to focusing on the presence and gravitas of objects.
FF: Which of your Flickr photos is your favorite? Why?
Greg: Almost any of the ones in the Morning Selection album, but can I pick two? Probably my favorite subject to shoot is fabric. Both of these hopefully show this.
FF: How did Flickr become part of your photography practice?
Greg: Flickr was important to my practice early on because what I wanted to do was share my morning experiences with others. Flickr provides a great community of people who have superb sense and intelligence regarding photography, life, art, and…well, what else is there besides those three, really? People here have been very supportive of and interested in my work from the beginning, and have inspired me to keep finding stuff.
FF: Tell us a bit about mornings in Tokyo…
Greg: Good question. I think the answer is in my photos! But I’ll say that early mornings anywhere are very special. It’s when the elves are still about. The key is being open to finding the elves.
FF: What aspect(s) of this subject did you wish to encapsulate in your Data Lifeboat? Greg: I felt that those photos were my state of the art, from a period between roughly 2021 to 2023 when I believe I saw things most clearly.
FF: Flickr.org’s mission is to keep Flickr pictures visible for 100 years. If someone discovered these images in an archive decades from now, what context would you want them to have?
Greg: I’ll say here what I often do, which is that the things I shoot reflect a disappearing world. People should know that there was once a more communal, more egalitarian, less sterile and more funky way of life than the one now infecting Tokyo and other places in this world. I really hope that people can get hints of that from my photos.
FF: Data Lifeboat was developed in part to help save Flickr photos as cultural heritage, similar to photos that now exist in Flickr Commons. How do you see your work fitting into a broader cultural conversation?
Greg: I’m very honored to be part of that effort, and that conversation. I would hope that what we put out on Flickr leads to a broader and deeper understanding of the world and what’s in it, as well as who. There’s this word “diversity”, right? It’s become such a loaded concept, to the point where some actually see it as a dirty word. So ideally my pictures can lead to some appreciation and respect for it, actually.
FF: How do you want to be remembered as a photographer?
The Foundation is conducting in depth research with Flickr members about their thoughts and feelings about their Flickr accounts. From a survey with almost 2,500 responses to a market research survey of current platform download tools to 1:1 interviews and some group forums, we understand very well how valuable people’s Flickr accounts are. It’s been touching and fascinating to hear how the people we’ve met feel about their time spent on Flickr, not only from a showcase point of view but also to hear stories about the communities and friends they’ve made here.
]]>josie<![CDATA[Beyond the Feed: A Flickr friendship that became an exhibition]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=926372026-03-17T16:31:18Z2026-03-17T15:53:13ZAs a community built for photographers, we love celebrating the connections Flickr helps spark, whether friendships, collaborations, mentorships or any other bonds formed through a shared love of photography. That’s exactly what drew us to the story of Christopher Evans and Juliette Melia, whose Flickr connection many years ago blossomed into real life collaboration – a gallery exhibition featuring Christopher’s work which opened this past week.
Their friendship began online through genuine appreciation for art, film photography and Holga cameras. Both remain active on Flickr to this day. Christopher, based in Canada, has continued his work as an analog photographer while Juliette, based in France, curates exhibitions for HCE Galerie in Sant-Denis. We asked them to share their Flickr story and how it led to this exciting exhibition.
Flickr: In an era when you were both active on a digital platform, what draws you to analog photography?
Juliette: Flickr gave me the opportunity to share my photographs with a wide audience, whether digital or analog. I was child-free at the time and spent a lot of time shooting, of course, but also scanning, editing, and retouching. Even when scanned, there is something special about an analog photograph: the grain, the colors, a little bit of magic. Most of the time, other Flickr users react very positively to a scanned analog image. They feel the love and hence so do you!
Christopher: I like the feeling of developing negatives and making prints. In an age when so many things are artificial it’s nice to have something real. Vintage cameras are also a lot more fun to use. (I just wish film wasn’t so expensive.)
Flickr: You two first connected on Flickr – what was it about each other’s presence on Flickr that led to this friendship?
Juliette: I think Christopher first noticed my nudes (wasn’t he the only one!), but we really connected over our shared love of film photography and Holga cameras.
Christopher: Juliette followed me and we hit it off. We’ve had a great friendship ever since.
Flickr: What do you hope someone who is not familiar with Christopher’s work takes away from walking through this exhibit?
Juliette: Oh, I want people to take away many things. The look and feel of a faraway city and its transformations over the years. The quiet exoticism of Canadian store signs. And yet, even when separated by an ocean and several time zones, there are similarities between Chris’s Vancouver and my Saint-Denis, where I exhibit. I want people to become aware of how poetic it is to photograph your own shadow. Especially if you wear cowboy hats. Ideally, I would also like visitors to move beyond the nostalgia suggested by the exhibition’s name and return to film photography. I personally miss it so much, I would like to inspire people to go back to it, even for a short while.
Christopher: The photos in this exhibit were taken with plastic and pinhole cameras, simple and inexpensive. You don’t need expensive equipment to make interesting photos.
Flickr: When you look at this body of work through the lens of your long friendship, does that change how you approach curation?
Juliette: Curating Christopher’s work was no small task. He has thousands and thousands of photographs, many of which I discovered as he uploaded them, and there were so many more that could have been included in the exhibition. We had to make choices: representing the city, its pavements, its trees, its weird signs… And the iconic cow-boy hat shadow self-portraits of course!
Christopher: I’m lucky to have Juliette curate this show.
Flickr: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your friendship, connecting via Flickr and where that has brought you both today with this exhibit:
Juliette: Flickr is a big part of my life. Nowadays, I mainly document my everyday life through selfies and family photos, but I feel nostalgic for the time when my photography was more artistic. Organizing and curating this exhibition allowed me to reconnect with the way I used Flickr in my youth. In a way, I feel reborn.
Christopher: I’ve made a lot of good friends through Flickr. Juliette being the best of them. It’s a great place to meet interesting people and see great photography.
Urban Nostalgias Christopher Evans
Through a “Foto Povera” approach, Evans explores the city of
Vancouver using vintage and “toy” cameras, capturing suspended
moments where tension freezes into a fictional memory. Driven by
nostalgia for a time when the latent image—hidden in the heart of our
cameras—carried all our hopes, this exhibition invites you to discover
the spontaneity of a photographic instant where dreamlike visions
prevail over reality.
Urban Nostalgias runs from March 12th to April 4th. For more details visit HCE Galerie’s website at www.hcegalerie.com
]]>MacKenzie Joslin<![CDATA[Get to know the Instant Film Society]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=926112026-03-10T15:10:54Z2026-03-10T15:08:38Z
Every year, we bring attention to some the events and features that focus around the art, profession and expression of film photography. And within that broad and beautiful practice lies a more specific medium, instant film. While Flickr is a digital platform, all forms of analog photography are shared, appreciated and celebrated here. That’s why we chatted with a community that truly lives and breaths instant film. Meet the Instant Film Society! Get to know their community and the exciting things they’re doing to keep the world of instant film connected and thriving.
Flickr: Can you tell us about Instant Film Society? What are your organization’s mission and goals?
Instant Film Society:Instant Film Society was formed in 2012 by Daniel Rodrigue and Justin Goode in Denton, TX, to increase awareness and understanding of instant film photography. At the time, Polaroid film had just shut down and the future was bleak, but film could still be found and the fledgling fan base was still looking for community. Daniel and Justin started organizing photo walks, or “polawalks”, around the Dallas/Fort Worth region, and soon they were attracting folks from all over the country.
Flickr: What kind of services do you offer your members?
IFS: We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so everything we do is to serve the instant film community. We offer educational workshops to the community and organize regular photo walks and other gatherings to give other likeminded people a group to share their love of instant photography. For the past 10 years, we’ve also hosted the 3-day PolaCon conference in Denton/Dallas, TX each September, which has grown to include events in San Francisco in March and Brooklyn, NY in May.
Flickr: Among the different programs you run, which one stands out as the most successful? What factors do you believe have contributed to its success?
IFS: By far, our most successful event, not a program really, are the three annual PolaCon conferences. Each event draws hundreds of photographers from all over the world for three days of walks, workshops, product demos, and community. We’ve had attendees come as far as England, Germany, and Argentina! I think one thing that makes it so successful is the scope and the chance to meet other photographers from other places. Many communities have photography groups or organize walks, which is so important. But PolaCon has emerged as an opportunity to meet artists from other places IRL instead of only communicating on Instagram, or elsewhere online.
Flickr: Can you share an example of how your organization has made a difference in someone’s life or the community?
IFS: Each year at PolaCon, we hear attendees say they’ve finally found a place where they truly belong. Many look forward to reconnecting with their PolaCon friends all year long — and even joke about experiencing “post-PolaCon depression” when the event ends.
By intentionally creating an environment where like-minded people can gather to share ideas, inspire one another, and create together, we’ve helped build genuine community. That sense of belonging has sparked photo walks and instant film groups in cities across the U.S., extending the impact far beyond the event itself. We’ve also watched complete beginners attend PolaCon having never shot instant film before — only to return the following year with their own instant camera in hand. Seeing people discover a new creative outlet, gain confidence, and find their community is the difference we’re most proud of.
Flickr: How are IFS members utilizing Flickr’s site & features?
IFS: Flickr provides an uncluttered experience for IFS members to gather online where we can just focus on sharing and enjoying each others’ work and not working about what the algorithm wants us to see, or without having to navigate through irrelevant and annoying video content. We can use message features to ask questions and learn from one another, and just appreciate each others’ work. It helps foster our wider community in-between PolaCons. I hope that doesn’t sound like a promo, but many of our community members – especially our younger ones – want an alternative to the big corporate apps, and Flickr has emerged as a perfect alternative.
Flickr: Is there anything that you wish more people knew about IFS?
IFS: We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so everything we do is for the community, and goes back to the community. We’re also an all-volunteer organization. Everything we do is for the love of instant film.
Flickr: What are some ways people can get involved and support the efforts of your organization?
IFS:Yes, first you can attend PolaCon! PolaCon Bay Area is March 12-15, 2026, and PolaCon NYC take place May 29-31, 2026. The original PolaCon will take place this Fall in Denton and Dallas, TX. You can stay up to date by visiting ourwebsite, or following ourInstagramaccounts. You can also sign up on ouremail list on our website, and evenmake a donation there if you’d like.
Flickr: What are you most excited about for IFS in the next year?
IFS: We keep growing! Our board just expanded to include a East Coast Director and West Coast Director, so we’re off to a very encouraging start with two new members. Meanwhile, we have lots of conversations going for new events and ideas, but we can’t talk about those yet.
Thanks to the Instant Film Society for being part of the Flickr community! If you’re a long time fan of instant film or just checking it out for the first time, visit Instant Film Society’s Flickr group to meet other instant film fans. And if you haven’t heard about ‘RoidWeek, then we have another instant film focused event to share while you are setting up your calendars for Polacons and photography walks with friends. Headed this way in April is the spring edition of Polaroid Week aka ‘RoidWeek, so give the group a join and continue your journey on capturing those instant film classics!
photo credit: AndyOdom, Alexas, Laurent Été, Steve Rainwater
Not a Flickr member yet? Sign up today to join our community of photographers and find your inspiration.
]]>josie<![CDATA[Weekly Snap Recap – February 2026]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=926192026-03-09T20:12:32Z2026-03-09T20:12:32Z
Time to check in on last month’s Weekly Snapshot features! Each week, we highlight a selection of standout photos from our Flickr Social group in our Weekly Snapshot galleries — and if you missed any, now’s your chance to catch up. Browse some of our recent features, and then join us in Flickr Social for a chance to have your own work showcased!
Check out the full collection of galleries from February’s Weekly Snapshot features to see some of the great photos being shared to Flickr Social every day!
Not a Flickr member yet? Sign up today to join our community of photographers and find your inspiration.
Today we’re kicking off a photo challenge to celebrate MODE, a three-day photography festival headed to Minneapolis, MN on September 18 through the 20th. Photographers on Flickr love a photo challenge so what better way to connect and inspire each other from right here on Flickr as we get ready to meet in person. The challenge starts today and is open to Flickr members worldwide. So here’s the info!
Tag your photos with the required challenge tag. Submit up to 5 photos to the challenge for that month.
We’ll announce the challenge winner the last week of each month.
And it’s as simple as that! A chance to connect with the Flickr community, share inspiring photos and spend some time enjoying what Flickr is all about, photography!
A prize? Of course!
This challenge is open to US and international users, and winners will receive their very own MODE box packed with festival goodies and a Flickr Pro Interactive Pass! Want a peak at all of the goods included in a MODE mystery box? Check out MODE by Flickr on Instagram!
Sound simple enough? It is! Head over to the MODE by Flickr group today. Get a running start for your first theme: Motion! So get moving!
Not a Flickr member yet? Sign up today to join our community of photographers and find your inspiration.
]]>josie<![CDATA[Photographer Spotlight with Melissa Johnson]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=925462026-03-04T16:16:15Z2026-03-04T16:03:22ZFlickr: Can you introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background as a photographer?
Melissa Johnson: I’m Melissa Johnson and I’m a self-taught, hobbyist photographer (although you’d think I would do it professionally for all the money I put into it!). Since I was a kid, I’ve always seemed to have a camera in my hand, and I feel fortunate to have learned on film, which I still shoot on occasion.
Flickr: How would you describe your style or preferred genre as a photographer? MJ: I love shooting urban, street, and documentary images. I’m drawn to the gritty details of the urban landscape, and I seek out everyday moments that others overlook. Recently, I’ve been working on a personal project, You Are Beautiful, inspired by the stickers found across the country. This project reflects my desire to widen the definition of who gets to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.
Flickr: What inspires you to shoot at a specific location? MJ: I’m drawn to shoot anywhere and everywhere. I shoot on instinct. If something stops me in my tracks, whether it’s the light, a strange juxtaposition, or just something that feels a little off, that’s my cue to raise the camera.
Flickr: What gear or tools are essential to your workflow, and do you have a favorite camera setup? MJ: I’m an Olympus M43 fangirl from way back in the day. I started 15 years ago with an Olympus E-PL2, and several upgrades later, my current go-to is the OM System OM-3 with the OM 20mm/f1.4. I’m really loving the rapid AI-powered face/subject detection autofocus and 5-axis image stabilization (my caffeine intake makes me shaky, lol), while the versatility of the 20mm/1.4 lens means I can shoot street during the day, and seamlessly transition to night scenes. I’m a RAW shooter because I enjoy processing my photos almost as much as I love taking them, and RAW gives me ultimate control over the final image. Lightroom is my digital darkroom, and I like to play with plugins like DxO FilmPack.
Flickr: What message or feeling do you want viewers to take away from your work? MJ: When viewing my work, I want people to feel like they’re a part of the moment; that they’re in on the joke; or that they’ve just discovered a secret. If my image has made you smile, frown, or think about something a little differently, I’m doing something right.
Flickr: Can you pick one of your favorite photos and tell us about it? MJ: Wow. That’s a tough one. I think I’ll go with the shot I got in 2024 of Texas longhorns being herded through the streets of downtown Denver, to kick off the 118th National Western Stock Show.
Flickr: Can you share the story behind why you chose that shot? MJ: This image captures the juxtaposition of livestock in an urban area and harkens back to when Denver was considered a “cow town.” The longhorns are just starting their turn onto Glenarm Place, where I had been strategically camped out for several hours to capture just this moment. I feel that this shot is not only a good representation of my genre—street photography + urban landscape + documentary—but also a technically great photograph, which is something I sometimes struggle with.
Flickr: Besides photography, what are some other passions of yours? MJ: I love music, which has provided ample opportunities to combine my two favorite passions, live music and photography. We are lucky to have so many amazing music venues in and around Denver, and I try to go to at least one show a month. My son is also a drummer, so I’ve gotten lots of practice shooting in low, low, low light conditions.
Flickr: You’ve been a Flickr member for quite some time, what do you enjoy most about being a part of the Flickr community? MJ: I love the community of Flickr friends I’ve made over my 19 years on Flickr. I have wonderful conversations with many Flickr members through the sharing of comments on our images, FlickrMail, and even text messaging. I’ve also met several members locally for photo walks. I’m the admin of several groups, as well as being a very active member across a variety of group genres. Interacting on Flickr is one of the best parts of my day.
Want to keep up with where Melissa is shooting from next? Check out her site www.urbanymphoto.com or reach her directly via email at melissa@urbanymphoto.com. And give her Flickr site a follow. You can see what she’s added to her Photostream and also check in on any of the lucky Flickr groups that she admins.
Not a Flickr member yet? Sign up today to join our community of photographers and find your inspiration.
]]>josie<![CDATA[Grab Your Camera: It’s World Wildlife Day!]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=925492026-03-03T17:58:23Z2026-03-03T17:45:01ZToday is World Wildlife Day. Declared by the United Nations in 2013, it’s a shared moment for people around the world to celebrate wildlife, biodiversity and the many roles the natural world plays in our daily lives. Where does photography fit in? If you’re part of the Flickr community, you probably already know the answer – nature, from foliage to fauna, is one of the most beloved subjects among our members. And it’s not just today; wildlife consistently ranks among the top trending topics on Flickr, with animals, plants and the wonders of the natural world stepping into the spotlight every single day.
This year’s theme brings attention to medicinal and aromatic plants. While they make for a pretty picture they are also vital resources in homes and communities globally. Whether they serve as a source of food, income or medicine, the impact of medicinal and aromatic plants plays a major role in our daily lives. And to no surprise, you can find tens of thousands of photos of those species on Flickr. Add those to the millions of photos capturing Earths creatures, great and small and there are endless ways to appreciate World Wildlife Day throughout the year, with just an easy Flickr search. So enough talk, let’s get to some photography. Enjoy these shots from the Flickr community that capture the beauty of the wildlife found around the world and right here on Flickr.
Happy World Wildlife Day!
]]>Flickrhttp://<![CDATA[MODE by Flickr: The World’s Photography Festival]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=924962026-02-26T16:02:58Z2026-02-26T16:00:19Z
For decades, photography has shaped fashion, music, journalism, sports, activism, and the internet itself. Yet the people behind the lens have never had a festival built for them.
Until now.
What is MODE?
You know those mysterious emails we’ve been sending? The cryptic hints, the “something big is coming” energy? Well, the wait is over. Welcome MODE by Flickr—an immersive three-day photography festival coming to Minneapolis September 18-20, 2026.
For over 20 years, Flickr has connected photographers around the world — sharing work, building community, and proving that the lens is one of humanity’s most powerful tools. But there’s something that only happens when we’re together in person. Call it energy. Call it a vibe. The kind of spontaneous, face-to-face moment that can’t be recreated behind a keyboard.
So we did something never done before. We built MODE. MODE isn’t a conference. MODE isn’t a meetup. It’s a photographer’s playground — where you’ll rub elbows with your heroes, make new friends, and improve your craft all at once. Think live music, hands-on workshops, photowalks, darkroom sessions, lectures with your heroes, and so much more. MODE brings photography from behind the screen and into the scene.
Why Minneapolis?
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of spending meaningful time in Minneapolis while working alongside local partners to bring MODE festival to life. Throughout that time, this community has shown us what resilience, creativity, and togetherness look like. The city continues to navigate complex and defining moments in its history, and what we’ve witnessed is an unwavering commitment to connection, culture, and care for one another.
Every visit, every introduction, and every conversation reinforced why Minneapolis felt like the right home for MODE. There is a warmth here that is unmistakable, an enthusiasm for the arts, a spirit of collaboration, and a belief that creativity can help bring people closer together. Together with the city and its creative community, we’re building something bigger than a festival: a gathering place for artists, photographers, storytellers, and curious minds in one of the most culturally alive cities in the country.
And yes, Minneapolis in September is chef’s kiss. The city pulses with a thriving arts scene, incredible historic venues across downtown, and a community that knows how to celebrate creativity with heart and authenticity. With the support of Mayor Jacob Frey and city leaders, MODE will take over multiple iconic spaces throughout the weekend, bringing artists and audiences together across the city.
As Mayor Frey shared, MODE represents an opportunity to bring new energy to local streets, support small businesses, and create meaningful opportunities for artists, vendors, and residents alike. We couldn’t agree more. That shared belief is exactly why we’re so excited to welcome the global creative community to Minneapolis this September.
Minneapolis: Our City. Our Lens.
Minneapolis is a city that’s practically buzzing with creative energy. Whether your scene is food, fashion, dance, or architecture, you’ll find a rich community that can’t wait to welcome you and show you what this city is made of. And among those passionate creatives are our personal faves: the photographers documenting every memorable moment.
In this film, we take you through the streets, studios, and spaces that make this city unlike anywhere else. Because before the workshops, the keynotes, and the photo walks kick off this September, we wanted you to feel what’s waiting for you here.
Seven ways to experience MODE.
We’ve organized MODE around seven thematic pillars, each representing a different expression of photography:
Change – World-shifting storytelling and photojournalism Next – Emerging tools, technology, and the future of the craft Money – The business side of photography Motion – Video, moving images, and everything in between Culture – Music, fashion, food, and the moments that define us IRL – Analog processes, film, and tangible photography Earth – Outdoor, environmental, and conservation photography
Whether you’re a street photographer, a landscape shooter, a portrait artist, or someone who just loves taking photos of their dog, there’s something at MODE for you.
The lineup (so far).
Leading this year’s festival as MODE’s Artist-in-Residence is Brooke Shaden – a fine art photographer and storyteller whose ethereal, cinematic self-portraits blur the line between photography and painting. Brooke will be embedded throughout the weekend, bringing her singular creative vision to workshops, conversations, and collaborative moments across all three days.
Taking the keynote stage are photographers who have shaped the way we see the world: Chris Burkard, who has spent his career pushing into the planet’s most remote and extreme environments; Keith Ladzinski, an award-winning photographer and filmmaker who follows humanity’s most extraordinary pursuits; and Jimmy Steinfeldt, an iconic rock photographer and Minneapolis native whose career behind the lens spans decades and legends.
MODE’s programming spans every genre and discipline in photography. Attendees will hear from legendary portrait and fine art photographer Sandro Miller, celebrated for his masterful command of lighting and iconic visual storytelling; Polly Irungu, founder of Black Women Photographers and a leading voice advancing equity and representation in the industry; and documentary photographer and visual storyteller Penny De Los Santos, renowned for her immersive work exploring food, culture, and identity around the world. The full lineup is growing – Check out the lineup
A festival built on our values
MODE isn’t just about photography, it’s about creating an entirely original and unrepeatable experience that reflects who we are as a community. That means:
Accessible venues for all attendees.
Diverse, thoughtfully curated programming that represents the full spectrum of photography.
Sustainability measures built into every aspect of the festival.
Comprehensive safety protocols so everyone can focus on what matters: connecting and creating.
MODE is built with the same care and intention that goes into everything we do at Flickr, and that includes the planet: MODE is 1% for the Planet certified
Get Your Pass
Early Bird passes are on sale now and availability is limited.
Flickr Pro members receive exclusive festival perks, including access to a dedicated Pro Lounge and early access to workshops throughout the event.
]]>josie<![CDATA[ICYMI News and Updates February 2026]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=924852026-02-23T21:23:34Z2026-02-23T21:12:39Z
What’s New?
Things have been busy since we last met for a recap! Last month we awarded our 2025 Your Best Shot contest winners. Then, we celebrated Flickr’s 22nd birthday, and honored Black History Month with a series of features spotlighting the incredible Black creators in our community. If you missed anything along the way, sit back — this is your February ICYMI recap.
22 Years of Flickr
Another year around the sun and we’re so happy to celebrate it with the best photography community around. Flickr turned 22 and we’re grateful to everyone who made those 22 years possible. We thought, what better way to celebrate our big day than to share some interesting stats about what Flickr members love. From cameras, to tags, to favorite Flickr groups, we pulled together some fun facts to share. Celebrate our birthday by the numbers on the Flickr blog.
Your Best Shot 2025 Winners!
If you love a photo contest as much as we do but missed our Your Best Shot Winners announcement livestream, it’s not too late to see the exciting ending to this year’s Your Best Shot Contest! Our winners came from all over the world but shared a love for photography and an eye for stunning composition and storytelling.
If you’d like to see the full YouTube announcement, hosted by Flickr and SmugMug Global Brand Manager, Alastair Jolly, then give the livestream recording a view. He walks through the judging process and some interesting critiques about why these photos took home this year’s Your Best Shot top spots. If you just want to cut to the chase and see the end results, check out the Flickr blog YBS announcement blog and give some applause (or faves) to the winners.
Celebrating Black Photographers on Flickr
February is Black History Month and we’re taking this time to amplify the work of the Black photographers on Flickr with photo features throughout the month along with an Explore Takeover that just went live on February 19th. Last week’s Explore Takeover featured 500 photos that highlighted some of the amazing contributions of Black photographers on Flickr. If you missed it, it’s not too late to give it a scroll and find some faves.
And don’t miss the work of Arlishia Yvonne and J Langston Boyd, two of the photographers featured this month in our Celebrating Black Stories series.
While we are introducing you to inspiring photographers, it isn’t lost on us that you all are pretty inspiring and creative yourself, which is why we’d love for you to join this month’s photo challenge. We know there are plenty of different takes on this theme, and for better or worse, we’re looking for pictures of weather for our February Flickr Photo Challenge. Sunny days, rain filled skies, blizzards that accompany an unexpected snow day. Bring your weather photos over to the challenge!
And while you’re thinking about which approach to weather you want to take, enjoy last month’s Blue Hour challenge winner by Doug aka Douguerreotype. Fading warm light as the sun sets behind the shadowy landscape is met with a dreamy blue scene that we couldn’t skip past. Congrats, Doug!
That’s a wrap on this recap. Keep an eye on the Flickr blog for updates and more Flickr news as it’s announced. See you next month!
]]>josie<![CDATA[In Frame with Flickr – Classic Street Photography]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=924712026-02-16T19:26:54Z2026-02-16T16:55:58Z
Street photography captures fleeting moments that reveal how someone saw the world at a particular time. We often find ourselves sharing photographers’ current views of their cities and neighborhoods through our In Frame with Flickr posts, but today we’ve decided to take a little trip back in time.
Street photography can show us many frozen moments in time, something as nostalgic as an old school ice cream truck with the neighborhood kids gathering around but it’s also a way to preserve history, our communities, our challenges and lessons learned. Some of these scenes may feel familiar while others show us things we’ve never seen. Whether these photos spark your own memories or offer a window into an era before yours, we hope you’ll enjoy this installment of In Frame with Flickr as we explore classic street photography.
Have some street photos of your own you’d like to share? Past or present, share them over in our new Photojournalists of Flickr group or Flickr Social for us to check out and appreciate your unique perspectives. Until next time!
]]>Flickrhttp://<![CDATA[22 Years of Flickr.]]>https://blog.flickr.net/?p=924252026-02-10T17:14:30Z2026-02-10T17:00:36Z
Flickr just completed another trip around the sun, and what a year it’s been.
Since our last birthday, you’ve been busy. Uploading, tagging, sharing, connecting. Every photo tells us something about how you see the world, and this year, the story you told was uniquely yours. We also noticed some interesting trends emerging that are already shaping the year ahead.
The year in tags.
Your interests define this community, and Flickr’s 21st year was a banner year for tags, styles, and visual storytelling. Unsurprisingly, “2025” dominated as the most-used tag. But beyond that? Here’s what caught your eye:
You saw the world in color.
Flickr users had a serious thing for colors this year. “Red” jumped 25% since our last birthday and holds the crown at the top, while “green” exploded into second place with a 45% surge. Look through Explore on any given day and you’ll see why: sun-drenched forests, neon-lit streets, jewel-toned macros of dewdrops on leaves. Between our Explore takeovers, the energy of challenge groups, and photographers simply capturing the vibrant world around them, there’s a clear shift happening. With the momentum “green” has been showing, we wouldn’t be surprised if it takes the lead in year 22.
Nature called, and you answered.
“Nature” photography continues to climb year-over-year. But here’s the real story: “Park” just crashed into our top tags list for the first time ever, exploding by 77%. Local green spaces are becoming the unexpected stars of nature photography, proving you don’t need to travel far to find compelling subjects.
The wanderlust was real.
“Travel” photography shot up 17%, and we’re seeing exploration pick up steam across the board. France held court as the most tagged destination, while “Canada” climbed 18%, and both “England” and “Deutschland” jumped 10%. Photographers are exploring far and wide – and something tells us you’re not planning to slow down anytime soon.
The great camera debate continues.
Canon and Nikon are still locked in their decades-long faceoff, but this year the energy feels different. Canon is gaining ground fast with 17% growth, though Nikon still has the edge (but not by much). The distance between them is shrinking, and the next chapter is shaping up to be a close one. Will Canon catch up in year 22? Stay tuned.
What’s in Your Camera Bag
Zooming in on the gear itself, here are the top 10 cameras gaining the most traction this year:
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Sony A7 III
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Nikon Z 6II
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Fujifilm X-T5
Olympus E-M1MarkII
OM SYSTEM Digital Solutions OM-1
Panasonic DC-G9
The top 10 is nearly split between dedicated cameras and smartphones. Seeing the iPhone 16 Pro holding its own alongside Canon’s professional workhorses and Nikon’s flagship bodies isn’t just a fun data point. It’s proof of what photographers have known all along: sometimes the best camera is the one you have with you.
Camera Finder has more stats, specs, and community discussions around the top new gear, so check it out and keep tagging your gear! Your contributions help the whole community explore what’s out there.
Your evolving style.
Looking at photographic styles, the diversity of this community really shines through. Nature and travel photography dominated as you got outside and explored the world around you. But dig a little deeper and a shift from last year’s street photography dominance emerges: street photographers are still out there capturing candid slices of daily life, but nature, travel, and landscape photography are topping the list. Architecture enthusiasts are finding beauty in built environments. Landscape photographers are chasing perfect light across sweeping vistas. All of these styles jumped by double digits since our last birthday, pointing to continued growth across every genre.
The days you showed up.
Speaking of getting out there and creating, let’s talk about when you were most active.
Two dates stand out from Flickr’s 21st year, and they tell very different stories.
October 21st was upload day. Maybe it was the fall energy kicking in, or maybe you all just finally had a free evening to catch up. Whatever the reason, it was the biggest upload day we saw all year!
But May 17th? That was when you were out there actually shooting. A Saturday in spring when the light was just right, and apparently the entire Flickr community decided to grab their cameras at once. Roughly 32 photos taken every second, all day long. The dedication is real.
Groups on the rise.
The fastest-growing groups tell a story about what brings this community together. Our community loves contests and challenges, and we have the data to prove it.
Our Flickr x Oboz Footwear World Photography Day 2025 contest came out on top – proof that you show up when there’s great photography (and great prizes) involved. Your Best Shot 2025 wasn’t far behind, with the second highest number of new members joining to share their finest work of the year.
But it wasn’t just the big contests. Flickr Social and our Flickr Monthly Photo Challenge group are proving that photographers love a good creative prompt and showing off their work. Theme-based groups like The Fog / The Mist and The Rain are finding their niche with new members who appreciate a moody shot, and the classic groups – like FlickrCentral, Memories & Moments, Beautiful Capture, and In Explore continue to be gathering places for photographers at every level.
Whether it’s structured challenges, genre-specific themes, or just spaces to share and celebrate good work, you’re finding each other and pushing each other to create better photography. At 22 years old, this community is still growing, still connecting, and still inspiring.
Looking ahead.
Flickr’s 21st year brought incredible growth, creativity, and community. But we’re not slowing down. With everything we have planned for our 22nd year – and trust us, there’s a lot (we can’t wait) to share – this next chapter is shaping up to be one of the best yet.
As we look to year 22, we’re hoping to welcome even more photographers into the Pro community. That’s why we’re offering 22% off annual and 2-year subscriptions for new members. It may be our birthday, but you get the gift.
Here’s to 22 years of moments captured, stories shared, and a community that continues to inspire us every single day. Thank you for being here. Thank you for creating. Most of all, thank you for making Flickr what it is: not just a platform, but a community.
Now get out there and make some more magic. We can’t wait to see what you capture next.
![[An estimated 200 activists march down Yonge St. in Toronto in support of integration in Southern United States]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51129767111_6df4104cff_b.jpg)
