6 of the best photos of 2015, according to VSCO

We’re happy to have secured VSCO CEO and co-founder Joel Flory for our TNW Europe conference in May 2016. We’re massive fans, read on to find out why you should be too.

Back in 2011, beautiful photographs tagged with #VSCO started popping up in people’s social media feeds. With its numerous filters and editing options, the Visual Supply Co (VSCO) app offered everyone –from complete amateurs to full-fledged aficionados– the tools to create something beautiful and share it with the world. As it grew, the “by creatives, for creatives” company introduced the VSCO Artist Initiative in 2013, which  supports, and showcases, the work of the community’s most talented individuals.

VSCO Artist Initiative is a $1,000,000 scholarship fund providing artists the resources to realize their creative vision. Recipients document their ideation and creation process on their VSCO profile (VSCO CEO and co-founder Joel Flory also has a beautiful profile). For some artists, the end result is sold in the form of books via the VSCO Store, along with physical  exhibitions in galleries.

Last year, fourteen artists were added to the initiative and three books published, the results of which are nothing short of breathtaking. VSCO recently shortlisted the cream of the crop in their best of 2015 list. From this list, we have handpicked our personal favourites, which you can see above and below:

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The six examples above are, of course, a subjective selection made by us at The Next Web; hundreds, if not thousands, of talented artists are still out there, waiting for you to feast your eyes on their snapshots.

How VSCO managed to make a name for itself –despite giants like Instagram and Facebook’s dominance– and form a strong, dedicated community of photo-enthusiasts who create, discover and connect, is undoubtedly best explained by the man who made it all happen: CEO and co-founder Joel Flory. 

We’re very excited to hear what Joel has to share about innovation and community at our TNW Europe Conference in May 2016.