Behind the Curation of Her Exposure Vol. 04 – Ebbs and Flows
The Introduction.
I am deep in the process of building Her Exposure Issue 04, and WOW ! This one has been a challenge. A good challenge, but a challenge nonetheless!
This issue set a new record with over 140 submissions, which is incredible. Every time I open a submission, I’m blown away by the talent, thoughtfulness, and raw creativity in front of me. But as much as I wish I could include everyone, print is getting more expensive, and I have to be mindful of making every page truly count. So, I wanted to share a little bit about how I choose the images that make it into the final issue.
How I Narrow It Down
Theme Alignment – The strongest submissions don’t just match the theme; they embody it. Ebbs and Flows is about movement, rhythm, and the natural highs and lows of life. The work that stands out to me makes me feel that concept, whether through subject matter, atmosphere, or emotion.
Composition & Intention – A well-framed, balanced image tells a story. Some photographs have that undeniable sense of intention behind them, and that’s what I look for.
Visual Impact – You know those images that just stop you? That make you want to linger? That’s the kind of work I want to feature. It might be the lighting, the texture, the raw emotion, something about it makes me need to include it.
Curator’s Instinct – This is the hardest one to explain, but it’s real. It’s about how images speak to each other, how they create a rhythm within the issue, and how they fit together to tell a larger story.
My New Goal: More Behind-the-Scenes Updates
I know waiting for acceptance emails can be nerve-wracking, and I appreciate your patience while I go through this process. One of my new goals is to write an update every week, especially since I finally caved and bought the full email campaign package on Squarespace (so I have to get my money’s worth, right? Haha).
Also, if you want to see some sneak peeks of what I’m working on, send me a message on Instagram and let me know! I always feel nervous sharing behind the scenes stuff, but I know I should, maybe a little nudge from you will help.
Thanks for being part of Her community . This publication wouldn’t exist without you.
Much love,
Charlotte