2.08.2019

Eighth Year Review

Walter, Mariana and Camilo during Medellín Foto Camp 2018 

In January 2019, fototazo celebrated its eighth anniversary, giving us our annual opportunity to take a look back at the past year and ahead at plans for 2019.

This is also the "yearly report" required as part of fototazo's 501(c)3 non-profit private operating foundation status.

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SITE MISSION

The site's primary mission is the development of a program of support for a selected group of young, emerging Colombian photographers through microgrants. In 2018, fototazo transitioned to a microgrant program focused on offering workshops and photography-oriented travel experiences for groups of photographers and away from the previous model of individual grants.

All content on the site works to create viewership to fund the site's primary mission.

In 2018, the microgrant program raised $1,301. Thank you to those who have contributed – this site continues because of your contributions!

The majority of those funds were used to fund Medellín Foto Camp 2018 which was held over a weekend in mid-December in Barbosa, Antioquia at the home of Board Member Gabriel Mario Vélez. Thomas Locke Hobbs and Sebastian Collett joined us as guest artists and eight grant recipients attended. The group spent three days and two nights in Barbosa. During the mornings we critiqued the work brought to the workshop by participants and in the afternoons, Thomas and Sebastian taught the group how to work with a 4x5 field camera.

CONTENT

I would like to extend a thank you to all of the 2018 contributors of images and words for their help in providing content for the site.

Over the last few years, I have produced fewer posts as I dedicate more time to the real world projects fototazo is involved in. In 2018, content reflected an ongoing shift towards Latin America as I actively work to use the site to serve as a bridge between Latin American photographers and an international audience through an English language platform.

In addition to Latin American posts, I also plan to continue to occasionally post essays, interviews and short series.

I would like to extend a thank you to the fototazo Board of Directors composed of business leaders Yaron Ben-Zvi and Raphael Crawford and photographer Amani Willett and also to the fototazo Advisory Board, which includes photographers Laura McPhee and Gabriel Mario Vélez, for another year of service in their roles.

Finally, thank YOU for following the site and choosing to spend your time reading what we publish from among all of the many quality photography sites that exist.

We look forward to taking another step in 2019.

All the best,
Tom Griggs