About The Collective

Welcome to Behind The Lens Collective! We’re thrilled to have you here. Our collective is dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of womxn, WOC, and non-binary individuals in the alternative music scene through powerful photography and videography. We believe in creating a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to shine and make a difference.

We’re excited to have you join us on this journey. We can’t wait to connect with you!

Meet the team

Naomi
Co-founder

Tank
Co-founder

Behind The Lens Manifesto

Our Vision

We envision a music industry where every voice is heard, every story is told, and every creative is celebrated. Our collective is dedicated to shining a spotlight on womxn, WOC, and non-binary individuals, starting with a strong focus on the alternative music scene.

Our Mission

  • Spotlight Diversity: Our mission is to bring attention to the incredible work of underrepresented photographers and videographers in the music industry and ensure that their contributions are seen and valued.

  • Build a Supportive Community: We cultivate a collaborative and nurturing environment where our members support each other, share resources, and grow together.

  • Promote Inclusivity and Equity: We work to break down barriers and create equal opportunities for all, regardless of background or identity.

Our Values

  • Inclusivity and Diversity: We celebrate a wide range of experiences and perspectives, making space for all voices within our collective and the broader industry.

  • Empowerment: We empower our members through support, resources, and opportunities, helping them to realize their full potential.

  • Authenticity: We value genuine expression and encourage our members to be their true selves in their work and within our community.

  • Raising Awareness: We are committed to increasing awareness of the contributions of womxn, WOC, and non-binary individuals in the music industry, advocating for a more inclusive future..

Our Commitment

  • To Our Members: We promise to listen, support, and champion your work, ensuring you feel valued and heard.

  • To The Industry: We are dedicated to challenging norms and pushing for a more inclusive and diverse representation in the alternative music scene.

  • To Our Collective: We commit to fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement, where every member’s contribution is recognised and celebrated.

The Origin Story

Behind The Lens started coming together in late 2023 when Tank reached out to Naomi on Instagram. They both had similar ideas about creating a platform for womxn, WOC, and non-binary photographers and videographers to highlight underrepresented voices in the alternative music scene. After chatting online, they decided to meet up in person at a show in Paris in December 2023.

When they met, they quickly realised they shared the same goals and values. It felt natural to join forces and work together on a collective that would promote diversity and inclusivity in the industry. With this shared vision, they aimed to launch Behind The Lens in early 2024.

In February, they made their first attempt at launching the collective. But soon after, another opportunity came along with a project of a music webzine called Milkshake Media, which they were both excited about. They launched this new project hands in hands with their third co-founder, Gladyce and decided to focus on it for some time. It quickly became a women-led initiative that became an inspiring success. This experience gave them even more motivation to bring Behind The Lens to life.

Once Milkshake Media was established, Tank and Naomi returned to their original plan. They relaunched the collective a few months later, ready to contribute to the alternative music scene in a meaningful way.

Behind The Lens is the product of their collaboration and commitment to making sure every creative voice has a place in the industry. It’s a space where people can come together, support one another, and celebrate diversity.

Our Goals

Short-Term Goals

  • Establish an engaged community: Our immediate goal is to bring together a strong community where members can connect, collaborate, and support one another.

  • Showcase talent: We aim to highlight the work of talented photographers and videographers, both from within our community and beyond, to ensure they get the recognition they deserve.

  • Community meetups: We plan to host local meetups in Paris to start for opportunities for members to connect in person.

  • Host virtual meetups: To reach members everywhere, we’ll organize virtual meetups, allowing everyone to participate, no matter where they are.

  • Build an online presence: We’re committed to growing our online presence through social media and our blog, sharing stories, tips, and spotlighting members.

Long-Term Aspirations

  • Organize workshops and Q&As: We aspire to host workshops and Q&A sessions with experienced photographers and videographers to provide learning opportunities and inspiration.

  • Provide photo passes: We want to make it easier for members to access photo passes, giving them opportunities to shoot events and build their portfolios.

  • Create a resource hub: Finally, we aim to develop a comprehensive resource hub, offering valuable information and tools to help our members grow in their careers

  • Develop a mentorship program: We plan to create a mentorship program to guide and support emerging photographers and videographers as they navigate the industry.

  • Build partnerships and secure sponsorships: We aim to establish partnerships and secure sponsorships to provide financial support and resources for our members’ projects.

  • Create an annual event: In the long run, we envision hosting an annual event to showcase and celebrate the incredible work of our members.

Join Us

We’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our community and collaborate with us. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Become a Member of the Community: Join our Discord to connect with other creatives, share your work, and be part of a supportive network dedicated to uplifting womxn, WOC, and non-binary photographers and videographers in the music industry.

  • Collaborate with Us:

    • Within the Community: As a member, you can participate in challenges, get involved in the growth of our collective, share your work, and have the chance to be featured across our platforms.

    • As an External Professional: If you're a professional, collective, or brand, you can collaborate with us through workshops, talks, mentoring, or other opportunities to support and engage with our community.

  • Stay Updated: Follow us on Instagram and stay active on Discord to keep up with the latest news, events, and opportunities within the collective.