FOCUS Magazine - ISSUE 01 by FOCUS Magazine

FOCUS MAGAZINE

FOCUS MAGAZINE ISSUE 01 // MAY 16 A COLLECTION OF EXCITING, UP AND COMING PHOTOGRAPHERS SOURCED ENTIRELY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY EDITION

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About FOCUS Focus Magazine is a brand new quarterly online publication, sourced entirely from social media, dedicated to celebrating emerging photographic talent from around the world. Each issue showcases the work of 12 talented, up and coming photographers handpicked by our editorial team. We select our features through exploring photos using the hashtag #focusmagazine on Instagram. We at Focus Magazine provide a platform for up and coming photographers to showcase their work to the world. We are dedicated to aiding emerging photographic talent on the journey to prominence and notability.

@focusmagazine_ @focusmagazine_ hellofocusmagazine@gmail.com www.issuu.com/focusmagazine_

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ABOUT FOCUS MAGAZINE

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Editor’s Note Welcome to the very first issue of Focus Magazine! Within Issue 01, we showcase an exciting collection of up and coming photographic talent from around the world focusing on landscape photography. Throughout the magazine’s design and curation I’ve had the pleasure of working with an incredible collection of photographs and photographers. I would personally like to give a massive thanks to every single one of the contributors for giving up their time to speak to me and for their overall participation in this very first edition of Focus Magazine.

CHARLOTTE HOLT Founder // Editor

The photograph featured on Issue 01’s cover was taken by the talented Matt Johnson in New Zealand. The piece is vibrant and eye-catching and so was an obvious choice when it came around to choosing our first ever front cover feature. You can find a full feature of Matt’s work on page 223. Focus Magazine is dedicated to exposing emerging photographic talent and showcasing this talent in order to aid up and coming photographers on their journey to prominence and notability. If you would like to be involved with the next issue of the magazine use the hashtag #focusmagazine on your Instagram photos; we’re always looking for new contributors. I hope that you enjoy this issue as much as I enjoyed creating it.

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Contents

01 02 03 DANIEL ERNST

MICHAEL SCHAUER

BRANDON ECKROTH

Page 09 - 30

Page 31 - 50

Page 51 - 68

07 08 09 CORY CRAWFORD

NATALIE WALL

JONATHAN SWEET

Page 123 - 142

Page 143 - 161

Page 162 - 178

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04 05 06 TOM CUTBUSH

JASON FITZGIBBON

CARL WILLIAM ELIASSON

Page 69 - 86

Page 87 - 107

Page 108 - 122

10 11 12 MORGAN PHILLIPS

MATT JOHNSON

WESLEY GLASMACHER

Page 179 - 200

Page 201 - 226

Page 227 - 248

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Contributors 01 02

DANIEL ERNST

MICHAEL SCHAUER

BRANDON ECKROTH

daniel_ernst

regnumsaturni

brandoneckroth

156k followers

50.5k followers

67.1k followers

CORY CRAWFORD

NATALIE WALL

JONATHAN SWEET

coryacrawford

nataliewall

jontaylorsweet

192k followers

51.9k followers

242k followers

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TOM CUTBUSH

JASON FITZGIBBON

CARL WILLIAM ELIASSON

tomcutbush

jasonfitzgibbon

carlwilliam

1.6k followers

20.7k followers

704 followers

MORGAN PHILLIPS

MATT JOHNSON

WESLEY GLASMACHER

morganphillips

mattjohnson.co

wesinthewild

369k followers

2.8k followers

74.9k followers

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Daniel Ernst Frankfurt, Germany I’m Daniel, a self-taught photographer from Frankfurt, Germany. I would call myself an adventure and travel photographer and I’m also an outdoor enthusiast. I prefer a tent to a hotel and rough weather and mountains to the beach. On most of my pictures you’ll find either a person or water. I don’t know why but intuitively I mostly have one of these two elements in my frames.

@daniel_ernst daniel.ernst@live.de www.danielernstphoto.com

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01 : DANIEL ERNST

GERMANY

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GERMANY

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How did you get started in photography? It was 2009 when I first picked up a camera and I initially started to develop a sense for taking photos. I was out in nature often and with my new camera I could show my friends what I was doing. I started using Instagram in April 2015 after attending a workshop on how to use it for marketing. What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? I look for the light, the landscape and what feeling I could transfer with a photograph taken there. What is your favourite photograph youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken? I was up on Roys Peak with this couple camping one night to catch the sunrise over Wanaka the next day. Whilst I was jumping around in the morning trying to get a good shot, they just enjoyed the scenery, sat back and watched the sunrise. I like this picture because first of all it shows what I imagine camping is for; and secondly, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reminder for myself to sometimes lay the camera aside and enjoy a scene through my eyes instead of the viewfinder.

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What is your favourite location that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken photographs at? Nub Peak, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, Canada. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take a bad shot from there. What is your dream location to take photographs at? I would love to go to the Himalayas and Patagonia one day! What is the main reason you take photographs? I want to inspire people with my photographs and stories causing a desire, a motivation, to leave the rush behind, escape routine, go outdoors, explore and experience nature.

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01 : DANIEL ERNST

GERMANY

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Daniel Ernst

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01 : DANIEL ERNST

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“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

- Helen Keller

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Michael Schauer Munich, Germany Hi, I’m Michael! I’m a self-taught freelance photographer from Munich, Germany finishing up his bachelors degree in sociology right now. Photography has been a part of my life for forever as I realised the power of a photograph when I was very little, it wasn’t until 2014 that I took it seriously. Since then I found my passion and worked with corporations, bands and private persons. I mainly focus on landscape photography but also love the documentary side of photography and concert photography. @regnumsaturni hi@regnumsaturni.com www.regnumsaturni.com

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How did you get started in photography? I always liked to take pictures with my phone and was always interested in conveying something to people. From then on it was kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. In the past I made music in different bands and also was more into writing than I am now but photography gave me the power to express myself, an ability that I never had to this extent when I wrote or made music in the past. Photography is my absolute freedom on a 36x24mm light sensitive plate. What is your favourite photograph youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken? My most memorable photo is one I took of my brother strolling through a forest via tracks a truck had left but were only barely visible. It, for me, embodies adventurousness (is that even a word?) and the will, desire and need to explore new places. What is your favourite location that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken photographs at? Iceland!

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What is the main reason you take photographs? When I’m out there with my camera it really feels like I’m entering another, a special, world. It’s a world that is molded together through different experiences that I’ve made in my life so far and that speak to me while looking through the viewfinder. It is the void I’m entering every time I take Rosalind, my beloved D800, from the shelf ready to discover new places. The void of countless hours of editing, which is likely to sound horrendous to some but is pure meditation to me. I then get to relive the moments when I saw the Milky Way silently travelling through the night sky with my bare eyes or the roaring waterfalls in Iceland. What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? I tend to look for one special element that tells a story, be it a cabin in the woods or a small island in a lake. Basically something that gives the photograph an extra twist to make it more memorable.

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02 : MICHAEL SCHAUER

GERMANY

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What is your dream location to take photographs at? Next to Iceland and Antartica it would be the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It’s so stunningly beautiful there that I struggle for words. Are there any photographers that you look up to or that inspire you? I’d say Chric Burkard and Dylan Furst, just to name two, because they found their passion and made a living out of it. Do you have any dream clients you would like to work for? Not a specific client but I’d love to travel around the world and visit awesome places or tell interesting stories with my photographs. Basically research institutes or NGOs that are located in interesting places. A dream would be to travel Antartica with an expedition.

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Michael Schauer

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“The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”

- Albert Camus

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Brandon Eckroth Minnesota, USA I have always been drawn to the outdoors. The idea of capturing those beautiful landscapes that I had aways been so inspired by didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come to me until my parents decided to get a divorce almost two years ago. I took to the mountains with my camera and my Bible; just spending time with God and the beauty He created for all of us. Ever since that day I have made it my life goal to show the world how beautiful this place actually is. @brandoneckroth hello@getoutandwander.com www.getoutandwander.com

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03 : BRANDON ECKROTH

USA

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How did you get started in photography? I got started in photography by taking my passion for the outdoors and the pain of my parents divorce, and using it as a creative outlet to get my mind off everything. What is the main reason you take photographs? I take photographs to show people that there is so much beauty in the world. What is your favourite photograph youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken? Probably the reflection of the Tetons at sunrise on Jenny Lake in Grand Tetons NP because it shows how grandoise, yet peaceful this world is. What is your favourite location that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken photographs at? Grand Tetons NP for sure.

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Do you have any dream clients you would like to work for? Patagonia would be my dream clients. National Geographic coming in at a close second. Are there any photographers that you look up to or that inspire you? Alex Strohl has been my number one inspiration throughout this whole journey.

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03 : BRANDON ECKROTH

USA

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What is your dream location to take photographs at? As of right now, Norway. What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? I first look at the composition, making sure everything looks cohesive. Whether thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wildlife, mountains, rivers, trees, everything has to fit in the frame in a beautifully authentic way.

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03 : BRANDON ECKROTH

USA

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Brandon Eckroth

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“What good is livin’ a life you’ve been given if all you do is stand in one place.”

- Lord Huron

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Tom Cutbush Melbourne, Australia I live in Melbourne, in Australia. I’m Seventeen, I’d like to work in photo journalism, but that might change. The themes of people, place and personal stories explored in my work aren’t static. They’re evolving like the aesthetic qualities of the images, and sometimes change completely. I haven’t really had the time to develop my own style, I’m still working that out. However, I am interested in raw human emotion and honest photography is storytelling. My work is primarily documentation of my own life; people and places.

@tomcutbush tomalexandercutbush@gmail.com www.tomcutbush.com

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04 : TOM CUTBUSH

AUSTRALIA

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How did you get started in photography? As a kid, I went through a lot of disposable cameras. Then when I was about eleven or twelve my parents bought me a little red olympus point and shoot that I took on a school camp and from there I just became more invested in photography as a hobby to the point where I saved up for a DSLR. It became more serious from there because I felt (and still do) like I had to live up to the expectations of a ‘real camera’. So a lot was proving myself as worthy for the camera I’d purchased. What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? I took a photo in Sapa, Vietnam in 2015 of two boys, maybe six or seven years old, playing in the town square. They’re the only figures in the frame and in comparison to the amphitheatre structure they’re surrounded by, they appear tiny. I think I just like the sense of childhood innocence in the image.

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What is your dream location to take photographs at? Mongolia, Iceland or Antarctica, but that will probably change, there are so many places. What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? I try to look for balance in a scene that makes the viewer think about the image, with a combination of placement, light, contrast and space.

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What is your favourite location that you’ve taken photographs at? In 2015 I went to Vietnam and took some portraits I’m proud of.

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Do you have any dream clients you would like to work for? I don’t have any dream clients, but I’ve got dream subjects. I’d really like to document something like the Syrian refugee plight in Europe through portraiture, to provoke some kind of emotional response in a first world audience - to spark political change through photography by making the viewer feel something, and so influence their perceptions and opinions. What is the main reason you take photographs? I guess it’s about holding on to as much as I can. I’m really conscious of documenting everything that means something to me, like my family and my friends. I don’t want to forget anything. Are there any photographers you look up to or that inspire you? Absolutely. Especially Martin Parr, Steve McCurry and Vivian Maier.

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Tom Cutbush

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“Good artists copy, great artists steal.”

- Pablo Picasso

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Jason Fitzgibbon California, USA I am a professional photographer, wildlife biologist, and environmental consultant based out of Orange County in coastal Southern California. As a wildlife biologist, my work often involves surveying for threatened and endangered plant and animal species, and ensuring their protection under the purview of state and federal laws. Often my career takes me to wild and beautiful places, many of which I attempt to share with the world through my photography in hopes of inspiring others to cherish and protect the wild places that they enjoy in their area. Aside from work, I spend a fair share of my free time mountain biking, surfing, bouldering,Â backpacking, and fly fishing throughout the few remaining expanses of southern Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural areas. My adventures in my crowded homeland often lead me to novel and interesting places, many of which remain completely unknown, even to seasoned southern California veterans. Regularly my travels involve multi-day expeditions, with hiking mileage into the triple digits, such that I can uncover and share the raw, untrammelled, natural beauty of wilderness through my nature and landscape-oriented photography. @jasonfitzgibbon jrfitzgibbon@gmail.com www.jasonfitzimages.com

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05 : JASON FITZGIBBON

USA

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What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? Hmmm, I’d say one of my favourite photographs is of a friend of mine, walking the banks of the Owens River in California as we wrapped up a day of catching wild fish on an incredibly scenic stretch of water in one of California’s most iconic regions, the eastern Sierra Nevada. I’m drawn to this photo because I find it comforting and beautiful, but also because it tells a rather ugly story. The low-growing vegetation and golden hues in the photo are pleasing to the eye, but they are only there as a result of a long history of cattle grazing in the area. The unregulated grazing has led to the complete decimation of bankside riparian vegetation (which would have completely concealed my friend in the photograph) and causes constant erosion and siltation of this otherwise highly productive river. Do you have any dream clients you would like to work for? My favourite clients to work for are non-profit conservation groups or organisations, because they always have the same end goal as me; to protect the land.

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What is your favourite location you’ve taken photographs at? My favourite place to pull out my camera has got to be the eastern Sierra Nevada high country, particularly up in the tree-less alpine environments. It is almost other-worldly up there, hard to get to, and it seems about impossible to take bad photographs when you’re up there. How did you get started in photography? I purchased my first film DSLR when in high school, and enrolled in a photography and film development course as an elective. Once my instructor had unlocked some of the possibilities of cameras for me, I could almost not put it down. I was absolutely fascinated by the creativity that a proper camera allowed. I immediately began taking my camera out into the wild with me, on hikes, mountain bike rides, and camping trips and quickly found that documenting the overwhelming beauty of nature was what I enjoyed most. What is your dream location to take photographs at? I would really like to photograph any or all of Alaska’s untamed wilderness. The untrammelled, rugged, beauty of that place is incredibly inspiring.

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05 : JASON FITZGIBBON

USA

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What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? Most often my photographs come along while I’m on the move. While I’m either hiking, riding, or fishing, something catches my eye like light or natural composition or an interesting perspective. So I stop and I photograph it - usually very quickly so that I can get on with the other fun thing I am doing. If someone is with me, I often spot the area I want to photograph ahead and then quietly stop and let the other person continue hiking, riding, or fishing until they are into the frame I’m attempting to grab. I find that these photos turn out the best because the subject has no idea you are photographing them, and the end result looks much more natural. It does become exhaustive though trying to play catch-up after every single time you stop! What is the main reason you take photographs? The primary reason that I took photographs then is the same reason I do now; to share the raw beauty of wild places and inspire others to learn about and appreciate our natural environment. I honestly believe that if people do not know what’s out there, they will never care to protect it, nor will they feel any urge to explore in their own backyards - the places that often need protection and stewardship most.

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How did you get started in photography? I purchased my first film DSLR when in high school, and enrolled in a photography and film development course as an elective. Once my instructor had unlocked some of the possibilities of cameras for me, I could almost not put it down. I was absolutely fascinated by the creativity that a proper camera allowed. I immediately began taking my camera out into the wild with me, on hikes, mountain bike rides, and camping trips and quickly found that documenting the overwhelming beauty of nature was what I enjoyed most. Are there any photographers you look up to or that inspire you? I am definitely inspired by many, many photographers, on a daily basis I would say. The amount of quality photography that is present now on social media and through other venues is just baffling. But I don’t believe I really look up to any of the photographers that I follow. I’m kind of odd in that way, but I have never idolised professional athletes or public figures or celebrities, I tend to observe them more critically, and try to learn from their endeavours how to best approach my own. In that regard, I’d say a few of the photographers I pay most attention to are probably Mark McInnis, Carl Zoch, and Joey Schusler. All three of them do an incredible job of capturing the raw spirit of adventure, and are pros at keeping it real. No fluff from them.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Few are altogether deaf to the preaching of pine trees. Their sermons on the mountains go to our hearts; and if people in general could be got into the woods, even for once, to hear the trees speak for themselves, all difficulties in the way of forest preservation would vanish.â&#x20AC;?

- John Muir

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Carl William Eliasson Sundsvall, Sweden My name is Carl William Eliasson and I’m originally from Sweden. My biggest interests are travelling, surfing and photography. Ever since graduating high school I’ve been travelling around the world, from the UK to Portugal and Australia to Japan. I lived in both the UK and Australia for a longer period of time, mostly because I wanted to experience another culture for a change. I’ve always loved the ocean ever since I was a kid so that’s basically what most of my photos are focused on. I can’t tell how many times I’ve risked bringing my phone out in the water to get a photo, even before I’ve bought a case for it. I’m a huge film fan and could go on and on about it. I love indie films and could probably mention a lot you haven’t even heard of. A dream of mine would be to work for a film company one day. @carlwilliam williameliasson@outlook.com

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SWEDEN

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What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? Me and a couple of friends went to the beach after work one day to surf and then out of nowhere, a swarm of at least 100,000 butterflies flew over us... and they just kept on coming. We all just stood there baffled and watched as they flew north. I wasn’t really thinking about taking a photo, it was one of those moments when you’re stunned and can’t think. But at the last second I thought, what the hell, and ran up from the water to grab my camera and risked bringing it out in the water just to take a photo of my friend sitting on his surfboard. If you look closely you can actually see a few butterflies in the sky. Are there any photographers that you look up to or that inspire you? Joel Bennetts, Woody Gooch and Richard Hodder

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What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? The perfect light. What is your dream location to take photographs at? Alaska, the West Indies and Venice, California.

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What is your favourite location you’ve taken photographs at? Norway and Australia. Do you have any dream clients you’d like to work for? What Youth and Desillusion.

FOCUS MAGAZINE How did you get started in photography? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been interested in photography but didnt really get started â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til i got my first iPhone. Then it kind of developed from there. What is the main reason you take photographs? Obviously for people to enjoy but also for personal reasons. I have a lot of photos hanging on the wall in my apartment for example.

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Carl William Eliasson

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“Oh yeah, and one more thing, from now on we’re going to have alternate dinner music, because frankly - and I don’t think I’m alone here... I’m tired of this Lawrance Welk shit.”

- Lester Burnham (Alan Ball)

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Cory Crawford Washington, USA I’m a photographer from the beautiful state of Washington and I love taking photos that inspire others to go out and do the same. Although I’ve dabbled in a lot of different photography genres, I really love shooting landscapes, lifestyle and thematic, weird portrait sessions haha. @coryacrawford coryacrawford@gmail.com www.corycrawford.com

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How did you get started in photography? I started taking photos with my friend Joe Greer a long time ago, and it kinda just went from there. We started going out to cool places to shoot multiple times a week and before we knew it, people were asking us to take photos professionally. Pretty crazy. What is the main reason you take photographs? I believe my talents are gifts that are to be used to bless other people. So while I absolutely love taking photos and creating images as an outlet for my creativity, I think it’s key to make the art for other people. I’m happy with my work as long as it invokes a feeling, encourages someone, or at least slows them down long enough to make them think. What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? That’s hard. In fact it might be impossible... but I took a photo about a month ago on a trip to the stunning southwest that I really liked. I went for a sci-fi feel and I thought it turned out pretty cool.

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What is your favourite location that you’ve taken photographs at? Southern Utah would probably be my favourite location for taking photos. The red cliffs, canyons, and crazy rock structures make for a proverbial photographer’s playground. I love just letting my mind go wild with photo ideas down there. What is your dream location to take photographs at? I’d love to shoot in some places in Africa. I love places that look like a different planet, or places that we forget actually exist here on earth. I’d also love to shoot some crazy architecture and landscapes in China at some point.

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USA

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Do you have any dream clients? Not really. I’d love to take some portraits of celebrities just because I think it’d be interesting... maybe shoot a tour or album cover for one of my favourite bands. That would be cool! Are there any photographers that you look up to or that inspire you? Absolutely. Joe Greer is one of my biggest inspirations. I’ve also really loved Christopher Hainey’s work for quite a while.

What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? Something interesting and unique. I also love movies and cinema so I love capturing dramatic light and motion in a photo when possible. So between the subject, the composition, the background and the edit, I like to make the viewer think. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. But I sure enjoy it!

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Cory Crawford

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“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

- C. S. Lewis

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Natalie Wall Utah, USA I fell in love with being outside at a young age. Family vacations consisted of traveling to Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Redwoods, Glacier National Park, etc. For this reason, nature has a taken on a nostalgic essence as I’ve grown older. My work is a blend of people I love and places that inspire me, with hopes that they’ll inspire others, as well. @nataliewall nataliemorganwall@gmail.com www.natalieshootspeople.com

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USA

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How did you get started in photography? I’ve always really enjoyed art classes. My electives throughout school were always filled with them, and photography happened to be the one that made the biggest impression. I learned to shoot on an old film camera my father gave me. Nowadays, however, I primarily shoot in digital format. What is the main reason you take photographs? I take photographs as an artistic outlet for all of the cooped up ideas in my head. My style has evolved a lot over the last couple of years, and I find that the motivation behind just about everything I shoot now is rooted in a desire to inspire others to get outside and explore the beautiful world around them. What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? I really don’t have a favourite photo. So many of them are tied to particular memories that it’s too hard to narrow it down to just one.

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What is your favourite location that you’ve taken photographs at? I think my favourite location is the North Cascades in Washington. It epitomises the PNW - big mountains, tall waterfalls, early morning fog and some of the most beautiful glacial lakes. Are there any photographers you look up to or that inspire you? Oh wow; I am constantly inspired by just about everyone I’m surrounded by. There’s so much talent out there. What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? I look for a scene that pulls out the colours that I tend to gravitate toward - greens, greys and blues. I also look for dynamic and interesting light. And, of course, a beautiful location.

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What is your dream location to take photographs at? I’d love to shoot in Norway. The photos I’ve seen leave my jaw open.

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Do you have any dream clients you’d like to work for? It’d be fun to do a collaboration trip with someone like Patagonia or The North Face. I want to start incorporating client work into trips, rather than simply doing a single photo shoot.

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Natalie Wall

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“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”

- Jack Kerouac

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Jonathan Sweet Seattle, USA Hey y’all! Ya got Jon Sweet here! Photographer out of the greater Seattle, WA area! Love to get my day started with a great cup of coffee from Neptune Coffee in Greenwood. Love to celebrate life with my Fiancé and all the other amazing people that I can call family and friends! I love to play basketball, have played since I was a wee lad! Love to adventure and see God’s beautiful creation, every place I have been has told such a great story and I do my best to capture it! @jontaylorsweet jonathantaylorsweet@gmail.com www.iconosquare.com/jontaylorsweet

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How did you get started in photography? I started photography on my iPhone. As crazy as that sounds it is incredibly true. I would just go on hikes or drives to these amazing places all around the PNW and take nature photos with friends through the Instagram community and from there I fell in love with the craft and the rest has been history. What is the main reason you take photographs? The main reason I take photos is because I love to take photos of moments. To see something and remember it for what that moment had to offer. I also love photos cause it keeps me around people! What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? I was shooting a wedding and it was a small wedding and very intimate in feel and as the ceremony was going the bride had a single tear and I caught that one tear from start to finish and that was a moment that I cherish. Something so emotional and captivating. It’s one of my favourite photos of all time! I have a few others but that one sticks out in particular!

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Are there any photographers you look up to or that inspire you? A few that are all in different tasks with their craft! My good friend Benj Haisch has always been an inspiration in the photo world to me. Now especially for weddings! He is exceptional and it’s not just his craft but also as a man. He is a leader and has always spoke wisdom into my life. My cousin Cj Sweet. He is hands down the most creative individual I know. He can literally do anything a creative can do and most likely better than most. You can say he is a nonsatisfied perfectionist that is always looking to get better and better. His composite work is mind blowing. My friend Scott Borrero. He is so freakin’ good with a camera! I have never seen him take a bad photo. Even his selfies on snapchat are vibey as all could get! His craft and excellence is very inspirational! He does some stunning work! My friend Joe Greer. This guy is just a stud! He uses his iPhone more so than anything still and slays the photo world! His street photography is just unreal! He did a trip to Israel and the photos of strangers there are literally mind blowing! He also has awesome music taste but he is a great friend and he definitely is an inspiration.

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Do you have any dream clients you would like to work for? I do and I don’t. More so travel companies. Always love opportunities to travel. But companies in line with the coffee world have always had my interest and also organisations that just have a mission to serve and love people. I love to be able to capture stories!

What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? I try my best to not think about that too much honestly. Most of the time when I had myself thinking to much about it I’d find myself missing the moment so I try to enjoy every second I have while behind the camera to best display what my eyes see.

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What is your favourite location that you’ve taken photographs at? The Faroe Islands HANDS DOWN! I was invited by the tourism board there to come explore and shoot and I was literally mind blown by what that place has to offer. It’s an emotional experience there. Every corner I took, every spot I adventured, every person I met made that place so special to me. I fell in love with that country. One moment there in particular I was on a hike with whom I can now call a friend around the lake Sorvagsvatn to these massive cliffs in the middle of a storm. Sounds crazy and it definitely is. I was literally awestruck. I felt the hand of the creator God in this place. His presence was so real and was so captivating. I was so blessed by that trip and recommend everyone to go. What is your dream location to take photographs at? The Faroes! I can’t wait to go back already. It’s probably always gonna be #1 location on my list. I do want to go to Santorini, Greece and would love to explore Norway, Ireland, and Scotland!

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“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

- John 15:12-13

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Morgan Phillips Los Angeles, USA I am an adventure and commercial photographer based out of Los Angeles, California. I try to capture moments that inspire people to go outside and experience our beautiful world. I live for the adventure. @morganphillips morgan@morganphillipsphotography.com www.mpphotoblog.com

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How did you get started in photography? I took a photography class and loved it. What is the main reason you take photographs? I take pictures to inspire. What is your favourite photograph youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken and why? This is the hardest question to answer, my favourite photo is the one that reaches someone in a special way.

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What is your favourite location that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken photographs at? Definitely Iceland. Do you have any dream clients you would like to work for? Any client that gives me full creative freedom to shoot in an outdoor setting I enjoy. What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? The moment.

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What is your dream location to take photographs at? Africa, Norway, New Zealand, Mars. Are there any photographers that you look up to or that inspire you? Many, All for different reasons. Alex Strohl, Jared Chambers, Ravi Vora, Ryan Muirhead, Lauren Naylor.

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“Not everybody trusts paintings but people believe photographs.”

- Ansel Adams

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Matt Johnson Byron Bay, Australia I live in Byron Bay, Australia with my wife and two young children. I love photographing land and seascapes. I also shoot a range of campaign and digital content for a handful of fashion and lifestyle brands. @mattjohnson.co info@matt-johnson.co www.matt-johnson.co

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How did you get started in photography? Creativity runs in the family. Both my brothers are working in the creative arts. One a cinematographer, the other a graphic designer. It all comes from our Dad who has done everything from radio to documentary making to television. In front & behind the camera. I was around 15 when I first picked up an SLR (my Dad’s) and it just felt right. I started shooting whatever me & my mates were doing at the time: Skateboarding, surfing, playing in bands and it all went from there. What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? I don’t think there is one single favourite. There are many that I’m fond of all for different reasons. Some take me back to a certain period of my life or bring out stories from that certain trip. My favourite photograph right now though is probably just one I took of my kids on my iPhone the other day.

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What is the main reason you take photographs? When I’m out photographing land/sea scapes it just feels like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. It’s home. Life almost revolves around when I’ll be out on the cliff edge shooting the horizon next. Do you have any dream clients you’d like to work for? I’ve recently been shooting a brand called ‘The Beach People’ who make these beautiful round towels and beach accessories. They’re just a pleasure to work for.

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Are there any photographers you look up to or that inspire you? There’s so much great inspiration out there these days with the social media revolution going on. Every time I look at Instagram I can’t not be inspired. Getting to the core of things though, Cartier-Bresson is who I always come back to. Recently discovered Caleb Cain Marcus. His work is amazing! What is your favourite location that you’ve taken photographs at? Anywhere you can see the ocean. It’s ever-changing moods will never cease to be interesting.

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What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? Emotion. What is your dream location to take photographs at? Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so many! The Antarctic is pretty high on the list.

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“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”

- Pablo Picasso

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Wesley Glasmacher Glasmacherlsmacher Holland I’m a Dutch photographer. My style is adventure, exploring and landscape. What I like most is to explore places in the wild and take people with me on an adventure by using Instagram and Snapchat (wesinthewild). Hiking a bit and climbing a bit to get to certain places is something I like. That’s something that I’d like to post and write blogs about. @wesinthewild wesinthewild@gmail.com www.wesinthewild.com

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How did you get started in photography? I started because of Instagram. I got triggered by others to buy a DSLR camera to get better pictures. Since that time I worked hard to build up a community. Since I reached 17,000 followers things started. Companies asked me to promote their gear and I got my first paid assignments. That was an eye opener. I started my own Instagram business and since then I have been travelling around as a photographer. Are there any photographers you look up to or that inspire you? There are many on Instagram that inspire me, but not one in particular. What is your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why? There are a few, but i think the latest trip to the Faroe Islands was one of the best so far. And I took a few on a plateau. It maybe is not my best one but it’s definitely the one that tells others what I’m doing and that you can reach goals if you want to too.

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What is the main reason you take photographs? It definitely keeps me in balance. I’m a creative person. I’m a professional musician (a drummer) and music producer as well. I’ve got a golden award hanging on my wall. So, the creativity is the thing that keeps me in balance. Taking photos is part of being me. What is your dream location to take photographs at? I’d love to visit a few places that are on my bucket list. Yukon, Oregon, Yosemite Park Alberta, New Zealand, Australia, Nepal, South Africa and many more. But to get the chance to go to visit Patagonia is something that is top on my list.

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What is your favourite location that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken photographs at? The Faroe Islands Do you have any dream clients youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to work for? National Geographic, Discovery Channel or Canon; but there are probably more. What kind of things do you look for when taking a photograph? To capture several things like the light, silhouette, colours and objects in the scenery.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.â&#x20AC;?

- T. E. Lawrence

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CONTRIBUTE TO FOCUS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for talented photographers to contribute to Issue 2. We select our features through exploring photos using the hashtag #focusmagazine on Instagram. We at Focus Magazine aim to provide a platform for up and coming photographers to showcase their work to the world. We are dedicated to aiding emerging photographic talent on the journey to prominence and notability.

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@focusmagazine_ @focusmagazine_ hellofocusmagazine@gmail.com www.issuu.com/focusmagazine_

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