1ST BLUE
Interview 1st Blue.com with Julia Rosa Reis, Founder of ShootShare.
You have launched ShootShare, a platform that enables companies in the fashion and lifestyle industry to implement product advertising sustainably by facilitating worldwide production of image and video material. The idea originated during your production trip “Road Trip for Brands.” Can you elaborate on this further?
Our mission is to assist fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands in easily conducting international productions right from their desks or offices. ShootShare is a platform that enables brands to independently organize shoots, book international and extraordinary locations worldwide, all without leaving the office.
The concept for ShootShare evolved from the "Roadtrip for Brands," which initially took place in the USA, covering California and Hawaii in 2016/17. For this production tour, customers could register online and select from various shooting packages. We had a total of ten customers, including Dr. Bronner, Happy Socks, and Raffaello Rossi. Alongside my team of local creatives, I worked as a photographer and production manager, conducting shoots in places like Venice Beach, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, and the North Shore of O'ahu. The positive feedback and the joyous, uncomplicated organization prompted us to think about how to expand this easy production approach for more brands, leading to the development of ShootShare.
How does the ShootShare procedure work for brands and companies?
True to our motto “Go Global, Shoot Local,” brands can register for free on our website www.shootshare.co. We provide a personal demo for each brand, introducing them to the program. The production process is divided into three steps: pre-production, production, and post-production. We've designed the platform to simplify the production process, akin to a structured production line, allowing customers to easily produce quality images of their collections and products.
Pre-production:
Brands can independently choose international locations and shooting modules to assemble the right package according to their taste and needs. Everything from locations, models, and buyouts is customizable. The beauty for customers lies in the real-time price adjustments based on selected options, offering transparent pricing similar to planning a vacation online.
Production:
Once the shooting package is selected, customers proceed with the briefing and casting process. We emphasize an efficient and structured approach, streamlining briefings and castings, and handling complete organization and communication with on-site teams. Customers can access a practical dashboard to view, provide feedback, or approve everything conveniently.
Post-production:
After the shoot, customers can view, discuss, and select their images on the platform. The final selection undergoes post-production, briefed according to customer requirements, all managed on ShootShare from the comfort of one’s desk.
How do you find local creatives such as photographers, models, and stylists on-site to implement the shoot?
We're proud to have a network of creative professionals worldwide who contribute their skills to ShootShare. Our emphasis is on collaborating with local professionals to promote creativity within their communities. Over the years, I've built a strong international network, focusing on hand-selecting on-site teams similar to a booking agency. Our platform offers customers access to international professionals without additional booking fees.
We receive applications via shootshare.co and review portfolios personally to ensure the quality we maintain. For models, we've partnered with various model agencies worldwide, like Boss Models in Cape Town, fostering strong partnerships that accommodate customer requests while ensuring the well-being of models. Our commitment to fairness and sustainability extends from working conditions to our forthcoming podcast “Karma Crew,” discussing such crucial topics.
How do you choose which shoots to participate in? Is this applicable to everyone?
While we work with professional creative teams, the platform is designed to minimize the need for me to personally attend every shoot. Our aim is to reduce carbon footprints by eliminating the necessity for teams to travel globally, including myself. ShootShare's intention is to showcase by example that impactful shoots can be conducted without extensive travel, aligning with our commitment to resource management and digitization.
We facilitate shoots for brands by leveraging local talent, emphasizing sustainability, cost-efficiency, and convenience, especially in these challenging times.
What specific elements contribute to implementing ShootShare's sustainability concept?
Our sustainability principles revolve around responsible resource usage. We prioritize working with local creatives, avoid plastic on sets, utilize green electricity, and encourage crew carpooling. Most notably, we significantly reduce CO2 emissions by minimizing flights, a substantial environmental benefit. We aim to help brands meet sustainability requirements, particularly within the fast fashion sector, by promoting sustainable practices in photo and video productions.
ShootShare facilitates shoots without flying entire teams around the world, tapping into fantastic local teams, thereby maintaining quality while reducing the environmental impact. This approach has resonated positively with brands, leading to collaborations that prioritize sustainability as an inherent attitude, not merely a label.
Is there a minimum budget brands and companies must allocate?
Fair payment to creatives is at the heart of ShootShare's philosophy. We base our pricing on the daily rates of creatives to ensure they receive fair compensation, challenging the industry's tendency to undervalue creative work. We uphold industry-standard pay in each country, preventing downward pressure on creative fees often imposed by brands seeking to reduce their own costs.
For product shoots, the minimum budget typically starts around 1,500 Euros, while model shoots average around 5,500 Euros. It's crucial to note that these figures represent the minimum budget. Transparent pricing on our platform allows customers to see precisely where their budget is allocated, eliminating hidden costs.
Are there unsuitable countries or places for a shoot?
Generally, a ShootShare shoot can occur worldwide. While our primary focus initially covered markets in America, Europe, UK, South Africa, and Australia, the opportunities are widespread. Our aim is to help brands explore ne4w possibilities in remote shooting, supporting local creatives while producing far from the usual hotspots. Customer imagination and desires shape the shoot's location, with no limitations on where creative gems can be found.
Have you ever declined requests, and if so, for what reasons?
We meticulously consider which brands we partner with, adhering to our principles. Thus far, we've not turned down any request. However, we distance ourselves from fast fashion and prioritize supporting sustainable production practices. Our vision is to empower brands and creatives equally, ensuring fair compensation for creative work. Any hypothetical request that compromises fair compensation for creatives might lead to rejection. Transparency in real-time pricing protects our local teams, ensuring they receive fair payment, while providing customers with an understanding of where their budget is allocated.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted ShootShare's operations positively due to travel restrictions?
The pandemic's impact is undeniably unfortunate, but it has fostered change and adaptation. Our ability to offer an alternative to traditional productions during these challenging times has been appreciated by our customers. Remote working methods, varied locations, and our pricing structure have eased the burden for many. ShootShare has emerged as a viable solution for productions, especially considering travel restrictions. This understanding of remote working has become more prevalent in the industry, enabling both large and small brands to access diverse local deals, locations, and creative teams conveniently.
You founded your first company six years ago, starting a production company right after university. What influenced this decision and what projects did you undertake?
My experiences at Condé Nast and Unilever, coupled with international travels during and post my university education, significantly influenced my journey. These experiences strengthened my resolve to introduce more sustainable and fair production practices. The desire to make a positive impact by facilitating fairer treatment of creatives and enhancing customer experiences inspired me to establish ShootShare.
What was your most memorable assignment to date, and who was it for?
Among many memorable experiences, the Raffaello Rossi shoot in Cape Town stands out. This shoot for the fall/winter collection 2020/21 was a significant project. We produced the Raffaello Rossi Journal, including the collection images, lookbook, fashion film, and POS images. These visuals not only adorned the customer's site but were also showcased in stores and online at P&C, Breuninger, Peter Hahn, and other platforms. Over two days, we photographed and filmed across various stunning locations in Cape Town, including the cliffs, Cape of Good Hope, and the Toki National Park. It was a beautiful collaboration with a fantastic team and a stunning natural backdrop.
Your inspiration often comes from trying new activities like free diving, fishing, and yoga. What's next on your to-do list?
I find inspiration in diverse conversations with people from various cultures. Currently, I'm engaged in recording new podcast episodes, staying informed about global events, and keeping tabs on our creatives and customers' emotional well-being.
Balancing the fast-paced life of a startup, I often seek solace in nature. Despite the lockdown, I'm rediscovering Germany's landscapes—its forests, lakes, and rivers. Gardening, climbing, and reveling in the snow during winter are activities I enjoy. There's a certain satisfaction in returning to my desk after an invigorating outdoor experience.
What are your future goals with ShootShare?
Despite uncertain times, ShootShare remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting brands. In the coming years, we aim to expand our team, engage in exciting shoots worldwide, and inspire others with how effortless it is to produce with ShootShare. Our goal is to continue aiding numerous brands, helping them showcase their best even amidst uncertain circumstances.