Collector's insights is a new series of articles in which major NFT Photography collectors give us insights into their approach to collecting and their journey into the space.

What first got you into collecting NFTs, and more specifically Photography NFTs?

I don't have a background in art and photography was the easiest for me to relate to when I first started collecting.

Were you an art collector before discovering NFTs and blockchain? Are you an artist yourself?

I've been a collector all my life. It started with collecting stamps and coins when I was a kid and then antique arms and armor, among other things, later in life. I still have my old stamp and coin books and remember quite vividly the excitement of receiving a letter with a stamp on it that wasn't in my collection. I cherish memories of swappinging them with us. It was the earliest version of "Make an Offer" I can remember; quite fun. I also remember spending countless hours "curating" my collection by country, aesthetics etc., which is what I enjoyed the most.

I had been involved in crypto for a long time before I finally found a true connection to crypto with art NFTs. I don't identify as being an artist (yet) but I do believe there's an artist within all of us. I am an avid photographer and have also started experimenting with AI, which is a perfect way for me to give wings to my imagination.

Why do you collect NFT Photography? Do you also collect pfps?

I believe we're in the middle of an art renaissance. For the first time in history, artists are in full control of their art. I want to be a part of this tectonic shift and want to support artists and other builders who are taking this leap. I plan to build something that can tell these stories for generations to come.

Is there a common thread in the curation of your NFT Photography collection?

I am drawn towards photography that tells stories of people, places and culture. I'm particularly drawn towards street, documentary and portraiture genres.

In your opinion, how do NFTs contribute to fine art photography?

NFTs present a perfect avenue for artistic expression regardless of the genre.

What do you look for when collecting photography? Are you mostly interested in a specific genre, message, aesthetic, creative process… ?

Strong stories accompanying strong artworks always attract me first.

What role do you think collectors can play in the space?

I believe artists and collectors when working together become an unstoppable force. Collectors, or custodians of art, often look towards each other to discover new talent and hence are in a unique position to influence an artist's creative journey. Many collectors are strong curators and can tremendously help artists by showcasing their art. It is exhausting for artists to constantly market themselves and collectors can share some of that load by sharing art they've collected.

What role do you think curators can play in the space?

There are many talented artists for whom creating a final finished product is a challenge. That challenge could stem from a limited understanding of the space, language barriers or a lack of time. Curators can help bridge this gap by providing resources and platform for artists who either need help or are happy to outsource the commercial aspect of their art.

Also, the NFT space will get much more crowded in future when more artists onboard. It'll become increasingly difficult for collectors to discover art and this is where strong curators could offer value to collectors.

Are you more interested in discovering new artists through the NFT space or seeing artists you already know from the traditional market join this new space?

I've only discovered new artists through the NFT space till now.

What’s the favorite NFT Photography you have collected so far and why?

There are many but my fav project that I've bought into is "At the Epicenter of COVID 19" by F Dilek Uyar. A highly acclaimed project, it is a collection of 25 photos (sold as editions) and one of the strongest collections of documentary photography in the NFT space in my opinion.

How do you see the future of the NFT Photography market in the next 5-10 years? Do you believe artists will directly join the space without going through traditional galleries?

2022 has rightly proven to be the year of NFT photography and I believe the future holds tremendous potential. It is hard to predict where we would be in 5-10 years but the thought of it makes me giddy. We have a perfect opportunity to re-imagine artist-gallery relationship in web3 and I believe artists and galleries can co-exist in this space as long as the relationship is mutually beneficial and non-exploitive.

You can follow Sunny here and have an overview of his collection here.