Instagram feed DRKRMS a showcase for Hong Kong photography pros
Three founders of "dark rooms" initiative want it to be global platform for profession
It's tough to make a living as a photographer in Hong Kong, particularly if you charge anything other than rock-bottom fees. And despite a wealth of often untapped talent, not many photographers here have an international profile.
DRKRMS wants to change this.
The brainchild of photographers Inga Beckmann from Germany and Callaghan Walsh from Australia, and British music and events expert Charlie Toller, DRKRMS (the name is pronounced "dark rooms") is a platform for Hong Kong's professional photographers to present high-quality, nightlife-themed work to the world.
They are invited to do so mainly via an Instagram feed that was launched late last year, but there will also be an interactive photography event early this year based on the work of 10 of the photographers.
The trio behind DRKRMS met when they worked together on brand events. "The idea came about over a beer to combine our businesses, photography and events," says Beckmann. "There was no platform like it, so we created something new. There's not much space for being creative in Hong Kong - we want to create one."
"We wanted it to be a platform for Hong Kong photographers on a global level," Toller says. "A lot of brands, especially fashion brands, come to Hong Kong for shoots and bring their own people in. They don't trust local photographers."