Due to the nature of what Nordic Thoughts have turned into, which is a fantastic community for photo challenges, I thought it’d be fitting to fully embrace that nature.
I LOVE the new name! Honestly Patrik as i don’t know you in person, I kept wondering what your thoughts on nordic were and now it totally erased all the questions, it truly fits well with your page and i bow down to your flexibility and adaptability to allow for change. Still would be curious to hear what your initial ideas for this space were and hosted original name Nordic thoughts was born (to get a feel for you as a person behind the lens 🤗) - also what I like about the world lens is that to me it represents perspective, point of view. Which doesn’t limit yourself to only photography in case you choose to evolve in other directions as well.
I’m feeling honoured to be asked *blush. I’m totally in, again you succeeded in giving me dopamine rush of creativity and motivation!
Thank you Laura! Means a lot to me that you like it!
The idea behind Nordic Thoughts were simply to post my musings, simple thoughts or deep thoughts that would randomly plop into my head without a posting schedule or anything. Kind of like a "diary" if you will, but more substantial in a way. But as I say in the post, it quickly evolved past that and from that Nordic Lens was born, which I'm very happy to announce today. I simply used Nordic as I'm from the Nordics, Sweden to be precise, no other reason, haha!
Maybe I'll have the community do a Behind the Lens guest post about me where some of all of you can contribute questions to me and I'll answer them, could be fun!
You're right, lens represents perspective and point of view as well, didn't even think about how diverse the name actually were. Thank you for mentioning that!
Wohoo! I'll add you to the list and I'll send you the email as soon as I can! 😄
Yess Patrik, Id love an interview with you! Great idea to gather questions from the community! I’d love to see your favorite work(s) and what inspires you, drives you to create!
Love the new name and changes! I absolutely love the new addition to put a focus on photographers themselves and in addition to the photos! And am honored and humbled to be named among these incredible photographers. Of course I will take part!
This all sounds amazing, Patrik. I love the new logo and your ideas for building community around photography. I’m so pleased I stumbled across your newsletter at just the right time. I’d be absolutely delighted to be part of your “Behind the Lens” series and I’m honoured to be asked. 🥂
Thank you, Miranda! Means a lot to hear! I'm glad you stumbled across my newsletter as well, always a pleasure getting a new subscriber, but especially when someone with your talent joins.
I'm honoured you want to be a part of it! I've added you to the list and will send you the email shortly.
LOVE this transition Patrik and seeing you embrace this! You’ve built such a wonderful community here and it’s seriously so generous of you to keep championing photographers on substack. Your challenge was the first time that I shared my fantasy photos here, and honestly, I might not have started doing so (at least not for a long time) if you hadn’t created this space. I’d be honored to be included in your Behind the Lens series!
Thank you, Kerani! Means a lot coming from you! You've been here since the first challenge and I've loved seeing all your amazing submissions throughout the months since then. Always such a pleasure seeing your amazing talent at work and I can't wait to see what you have for us going into 2024!
It's my honor to have you wanting to be included, so I've added you the list and will send you the email shortly!
Sounds exciting - a great pivot just in time for 2024. Behind the Lens is something we would be very interested in taking part of either individually as Diana Pappas and Tom Bland, or collectively as PappasBland. Looking forward to being introduced to new-to-us photographers and getting inspired in return. Thanks for creating this space, Patrik! - Diana
Sounds great! I'll definitely keep you in mind for Behind the Lens. Thank you for being a part of it, Diana! It's been great seeing your work and I look forward to what you have for us in 2024!
Fantastic makeover and new ideas. Love it!!! You should add Erik Hogan of Field Notes to your list of photographers to feature.
I have an idea for showcasing more photos without clogging up your stack. Maybe you could create a quick video compilation of all entries in each challenge. Nothing highly edited, just a montages video. Just a thought. Canva makes it easy to throw a bunch of photos into a montages and add some music.
Thank you, Kristi! I'll definitely have a look at his work and add him to the list!
Kat brought up the same point and I've thought about video. Canva does make it pretty easy, but the quality would be lacking and I'm not sure the amount of work would be worth it in terms of viewership. I'm definitely thinking about it still though.
Video is a fun idea but I agree that linking them all is more essential use of your time. I had few comments (you and my friend). Building a community that builds each other up is important to keep folks coming back to do it again. The links support that effort. Someone replied to my comment that she thought she was out of the league. No one should feel that way if people are encouraging each other. But from my past experiences it’s hard to get people to do something so simple.
Video is a fun idea and it could be very useful, but possibly for something else than this–I've got a couple of things in mind it could work very well for.
Building a community that is supportive is what I'm trying to do, seen a comment like that as well and I replied with that it's all for fun and I replied with:
"It’s all about having fun and being creative with the challenge. So everyone’s welcome, even if you feel you’re out of your league here, because you’re definitely not out of your league!".
That's why I added this part to the updated About page:
"You don’t need to be a professional: We don’t just have diverse themes here, but also diverse talent. Some are professional photographers, some seasoned, some beginners and some who do it just for fun.
So don’t worry if you believe you’re out of your league here, because you’re not, we welcome everyone no matter their skill level.
We’re a very welcoming bunch and we’d love to have you."
So feel free to point them to that part or simply encourage them to submit anyway, we've had so many participate who probably felt and still feel the same, but it's all in good fun as these challenges are meant to serve the purpose of sparking creativity.
What a great post, firstly your new branding is fire 🔥🔥🔥 love the bold and yellow feels so happy and fun.
You capture its essence perfectly.
Secondly I knowwww you want to feature everyone but this will make it feel really exciting to “make it” into the top 30 posts you choose.
For those not chosen, you gotta trust that as fully grown adults everyone can hold themselves in some self love no matter what.
It’s all for fun!
You could alternatively do a video slideshow style but I can imagine if it’s too slow people may not commit to watching?
Would also love to feature in behind the lens. I’m not really a profesh photographer, I just snap pics of life and kids haha but you also have a solid line up of people who truly know what they are doing too.
Really admire the big pivot you’ve chosen to take!
Thank you, Kat! I really appreciate that you like the new branding, it was a leap of faith that turned out pretty decent so I'm happy.
You raise a very fair point, it becomes more "exclusive" in a way to make it into top 30. I'll definitely keep this in mind, thank you!
I thought about video, but the amount of work to put it all together would be far too much, especially as people may not watch it.
Fantastic! I'll send you the email as soon as possible! You're a talented photographer and this series would be to highlight all the talent we have here in our community and you're part of this community. 😊
Love the full embrace the natural evolution of the community you’re building. (And I’m digging the font choice for your new logo 🤓😅) Would be honoured to be a part of it! 📸
Love this so much Patrik! Embracing change as we grow and evolve and making room for our art in all seasons. Definitely want to be involved and will be getting back into substack again now that the wedding hysteria is finished!
I'm glad you like it Haley! Means a lot! Of course, I'll have the email sent out shortly! Glad to see you wanting to be a part of this! And congratulations on the wedding!
The name change fits so beautifully! I’m a little late noticing your tag but I would absolutely love to be a part of this if you’ll still have me Patrik ☺️
Oh I'm just catching up here, this is such a wonderful change and I feel its a great reflection of what you are building here within the community. As Laura mentioned in her comment, Lens is a representation of so many different view points. Not specific to photography, although can be completely specific to photography if that is the avenue you are going to choose.
Another guest post series I am SO here for! I'd be honoured to be interviewed!! Excited to see what evolves.
Thank you, Jenna! Means a lot to hear you like the changes!
I like that it has multiple meanings, never thought of that when I picked the name, but it does open a lot of new possibilities.
Fantastic to hear, I'll send you the email sometime throughout the day today. It's not really an interview though, but more a showcase of your personal favorite work.
I LOVE the new name! Honestly Patrik as i don’t know you in person, I kept wondering what your thoughts on nordic were and now it totally erased all the questions, it truly fits well with your page and i bow down to your flexibility and adaptability to allow for change. Still would be curious to hear what your initial ideas for this space were and hosted original name Nordic thoughts was born (to get a feel for you as a person behind the lens 🤗) - also what I like about the world lens is that to me it represents perspective, point of view. Which doesn’t limit yourself to only photography in case you choose to evolve in other directions as well.
I’m feeling honoured to be asked *blush. I’m totally in, again you succeeded in giving me dopamine rush of creativity and motivation!
Thank you Laura! Means a lot to me that you like it!
The idea behind Nordic Thoughts were simply to post my musings, simple thoughts or deep thoughts that would randomly plop into my head without a posting schedule or anything. Kind of like a "diary" if you will, but more substantial in a way. But as I say in the post, it quickly evolved past that and from that Nordic Lens was born, which I'm very happy to announce today. I simply used Nordic as I'm from the Nordics, Sweden to be precise, no other reason, haha!
Maybe I'll have the community do a Behind the Lens guest post about me where some of all of you can contribute questions to me and I'll answer them, could be fun!
You're right, lens represents perspective and point of view as well, didn't even think about how diverse the name actually were. Thank you for mentioning that!
Wohoo! I'll add you to the list and I'll send you the email as soon as I can! 😄
Yess Patrik, Id love an interview with you! Great idea to gather questions from the community! I’d love to see your favorite work(s) and what inspires you, drives you to create!
I've put it out there, we'll see what happens Laura but it could be a lot of fun!
Love the new name and changes! I absolutely love the new addition to put a focus on photographers themselves and in addition to the photos! And am honored and humbled to be named among these incredible photographers. Of course I will take part!
Thank you, Natasha! Means a lot! Happy to hear you like it and want to take part, I'll add you to the list and send you the email shortly!
This all sounds amazing, Patrik. I love the new logo and your ideas for building community around photography. I’m so pleased I stumbled across your newsletter at just the right time. I’d be absolutely delighted to be part of your “Behind the Lens” series and I’m honoured to be asked. 🥂
Thank you, Miranda! Means a lot to hear! I'm glad you stumbled across my newsletter as well, always a pleasure getting a new subscriber, but especially when someone with your talent joins.
I'm honoured you want to be a part of it! I've added you to the list and will send you the email shortly.
Wonderful! I’ll look out for your message x
LOVE this transition Patrik and seeing you embrace this! You’ve built such a wonderful community here and it’s seriously so generous of you to keep championing photographers on substack. Your challenge was the first time that I shared my fantasy photos here, and honestly, I might not have started doing so (at least not for a long time) if you hadn’t created this space. I’d be honored to be included in your Behind the Lens series!
Thank you, Kerani! Means a lot coming from you! You've been here since the first challenge and I've loved seeing all your amazing submissions throughout the months since then. Always such a pleasure seeing your amazing talent at work and I can't wait to see what you have for us going into 2024!
It's my honor to have you wanting to be included, so I've added you the list and will send you the email shortly!
Sounds exciting - a great pivot just in time for 2024. Behind the Lens is something we would be very interested in taking part of either individually as Diana Pappas and Tom Bland, or collectively as PappasBland. Looking forward to being introduced to new-to-us photographers and getting inspired in return. Thanks for creating this space, Patrik! - Diana
Sounds great! I'll definitely keep you in mind for Behind the Lens. Thank you for being a part of it, Diana! It's been great seeing your work and I look forward to what you have for us in 2024!
I think the logo looks great! I would love to be featured and I think a lot of people will enjoy the new ideas you have!
Thank you, Leanna! Fantastic! I've added you to the list and will send you the email as soon as possible!
Fantastic makeover and new ideas. Love it!!! You should add Erik Hogan of Field Notes to your list of photographers to feature.
I have an idea for showcasing more photos without clogging up your stack. Maybe you could create a quick video compilation of all entries in each challenge. Nothing highly edited, just a montages video. Just a thought. Canva makes it easy to throw a bunch of photos into a montages and add some music.
Thank you, Kristi! I'll definitely have a look at his work and add him to the list!
Kat brought up the same point and I've thought about video. Canva does make it pretty easy, but the quality would be lacking and I'm not sure the amount of work would be worth it in terms of viewership. I'm definitely thinking about it still though.
Video is a fun idea but I agree that linking them all is more essential use of your time. I had few comments (you and my friend). Building a community that builds each other up is important to keep folks coming back to do it again. The links support that effort. Someone replied to my comment that she thought she was out of the league. No one should feel that way if people are encouraging each other. But from my past experiences it’s hard to get people to do something so simple.
Video is a fun idea and it could be very useful, but possibly for something else than this–I've got a couple of things in mind it could work very well for.
Building a community that is supportive is what I'm trying to do, seen a comment like that as well and I replied with that it's all for fun and I replied with:
"It’s all about having fun and being creative with the challenge. So everyone’s welcome, even if you feel you’re out of your league here, because you’re definitely not out of your league!".
That's why I added this part to the updated About page:
"You don’t need to be a professional: We don’t just have diverse themes here, but also diverse talent. Some are professional photographers, some seasoned, some beginners and some who do it just for fun.
So don’t worry if you believe you’re out of your league here, because you’re not, we welcome everyone no matter their skill level.
We’re a very welcoming bunch and we’d love to have you."
So feel free to point them to that part or simply encourage them to submit anyway, we've had so many participate who probably felt and still feel the same, but it's all in good fun as these challenges are meant to serve the purpose of sparking creativity.
Oh this all looks fantastic Patrik, love seeing the evolution of your page !
Can’t wait to see what challenges you have in store for us for the new year and I’d love to take part in your feature series as well ☺️
Thank you Georgia! Means a lot!
I'll add you to the list as well and send you the email as soon as possible! 😊
What a great post, firstly your new branding is fire 🔥🔥🔥 love the bold and yellow feels so happy and fun.
You capture its essence perfectly.
Secondly I knowwww you want to feature everyone but this will make it feel really exciting to “make it” into the top 30 posts you choose.
For those not chosen, you gotta trust that as fully grown adults everyone can hold themselves in some self love no matter what.
It’s all for fun!
You could alternatively do a video slideshow style but I can imagine if it’s too slow people may not commit to watching?
Would also love to feature in behind the lens. I’m not really a profesh photographer, I just snap pics of life and kids haha but you also have a solid line up of people who truly know what they are doing too.
Really admire the big pivot you’ve chosen to take!
Thank you, Kat! I really appreciate that you like the new branding, it was a leap of faith that turned out pretty decent so I'm happy.
You raise a very fair point, it becomes more "exclusive" in a way to make it into top 30. I'll definitely keep this in mind, thank you!
I thought about video, but the amount of work to put it all together would be far too much, especially as people may not watch it.
Fantastic! I'll send you the email as soon as possible! You're a talented photographer and this series would be to highlight all the talent we have here in our community and you're part of this community. 😊
Thank you! So looking forward to it all. Where are you based??
Same here! Going to be a lot of fun!
I'm based from Sweden.
I second Kat’s sentiment here! Having a limit (and 30 is still a lot to include) will make it extra special when you are selected!
Yeah, I'm beginning to see that. Thanks for reinforcing it for me!
Love the full embrace the natural evolution of the community you’re building. (And I’m digging the font choice for your new logo 🤓😅) Would be honoured to be a part of it! 📸
Thank you! I'm pretty pleased how everything turned out!
Happy to hear it, Bryn! I'll send you the email as soon as possible! 😄
Love this so much Patrik! Embracing change as we grow and evolve and making room for our art in all seasons. Definitely want to be involved and will be getting back into substack again now that the wedding hysteria is finished!
I'm glad you like it Haley! Means a lot! Of course, I'll have the email sent out shortly! Glad to see you wanting to be a part of this! And congratulations on the wedding!
The name change fits so beautifully! I’m a little late noticing your tag but I would absolutely love to be a part of this if you’ll still have me Patrik ☺️
Thank you, Laura! Of course, I'd love to! I'll send you the email shortly!
Oh I'm just catching up here, this is such a wonderful change and I feel its a great reflection of what you are building here within the community. As Laura mentioned in her comment, Lens is a representation of so many different view points. Not specific to photography, although can be completely specific to photography if that is the avenue you are going to choose.
Another guest post series I am SO here for! I'd be honoured to be interviewed!! Excited to see what evolves.
Thank you, Jenna! Means a lot to hear you like the changes!
I like that it has multiple meanings, never thought of that when I picked the name, but it does open a lot of new possibilities.
Fantastic to hear, I'll send you the email sometime throughout the day today. It's not really an interview though, but more a showcase of your personal favorite work.
Love the new logo, love your idea to feature photographers, love the new changes and looking forward to it all!
Thank you, Nadia! Looking forward to seeing more of your work in 2024!
What a beautiful shift and thanks for everything! I love this community! ✨✨
Thank you Claire! ✨
This post brought me joy! For you, for us. Can't wait to keep watching it all grow.
Thank you Kristin! Means a lot! It's exciting times ahead for sure, can't wait to get started!