ARTIST & METAPHYSICAL MUSIC THEORIST

CURRENT PROJECT: THE FEEDBACK LOOP THEORY

‘SEE ALL LIFE AS A MAGNIFICENT PLAY OF ENERGY, THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR’

ALAN WATTS

PHOTOGRAPHY COMMISSIONS CLOSED

STUDIO MOVEMENTS

My ongoing project is completing my 2nd book ‘The Feedback Loop Theory’. Please see The Theories tab for details. This is a live ‘meta tool’ essay to encourage people to make art, please share as you see fit…the continuation of the studio will mainly swing into theory writing and creative system building from now on, with S.E.T.S theory as the next paper to complete.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLOSURE DETAILS…

Unfortunately I’ve had to retire the photographer arm of my studio for a number of reasons. Firstly, a long term lack of bookings (over a period of 5 or more years), as the current business model is a wholesale outsourcing of media teams at electronic music events. As I’ve not been allowed to join any of these teams due to gatekeeping, I’ve been stopped from working within this field entirely. I’ve also had severe career blacklisting & intimidation complications from pre-filing an IPEC civil claim in the past year (against Sam Neill & Sebastian Weingartshofer of Worship Artists). This included being reported to the police for harassment by the defendants in what I perceive as an attempt to halt civil proceedings, & to remove the information on the Sarah Ginn XX Sub Focus page off this site (for which I received no charges). This is currently the main issue that has stopped me continuing, as I personally find it unsafe for me to remain. Plus, all my work & support network has vanished due to booking agent politics surrounding the IP dispute & smear campaigns from the defendants. Thirdly, there is an overcrowding of new photographers in music photography and fewer events. Fourthly, I’m only hired/recommended by women at a 80/20 percent split, so I was never considered for 3/4 of the roles available on a freelance basis. The last reason, is an incredibly good assumption. Many prospective clients thought I was overrun with work, would be too expensive or wouldn’t want to do the job. So many people assumed that nobody ever approached me directly. They were not aware of these issues and due to the previously mentioned gatekeeping, I couldn’t contact them to say otherwise. So many varied factors came into play. Some good, some circumstantial and some bad.

To rectify, I’ve carried out my own extensive marketing (since 2019 at least) to gain new clients across all photography sectors (not just music) and released a whole book of work, which did garner a very small handful of shoots. But in general I’ve just been unable to resolve this recurring problem, for which I have no solution. With one booking on average gained a month (since mid 2019 and less after COVID), continuing as a photographer is now no longer feasible financially (& I’ve now had to sell all my kit). Ultimately the frustration of these incidents, and the long term unwarranted bullying & ostracism I’ve experienced has now become detrimental to my personal wellbeing. All these factors have caused an ongoing creative/emotional burnout & depression (particularly after the police involvement for publicly stating IP theft which made me seriously ill). I’ve stopped taking photos almost entirely since September 2024 (even for personal enjoyment), only picking up the camera once since then. So now I’ve officially closed this part of my business.

My career change will now be shifted into obtaining a new 9-5 role within social housing/construction (as I’m currently unemployed and need a new challenge). I’ll also continue to write The Theories in the interim period in my spare time. This time will also be used to experiment with different visual mediums ad hoc. Honing my writing is an important path to focus on currently and the best tonic for my creativity and my mind. The right ‘frequency’ as such. Those theories were born because I’d not been given any opportunities to take pictures commercially. Which is an incredibly good result and something that should be highly celebrated despite these circumstances. I’ve ‘evolved’ or adapted to the current status quo by switching mediums and I really enjoy writing. This has subsequently led to a lot of discoveries and insights surrounding music that I’m absolutely fascinated by. It’s probably led to the most profound work I’ve ever produced. The intention of essays such as The Feedback Loop Theory, is more authentically ‘me’ & a worthwhile endeavour to develop. As it is a meta tool to encourage creativity, confidence and a sense of wonder within all people from every walk of life.

But…I am really going to miss photography, music photography in particular. In truth, I’m incredibly sad that I can’t be a photographer anymore despite my best efforts. But due to the factors I’ve detailed, who wants to remain working in such an arena at this time? The music industry is the ‘BAD PLACE’ rather than the ‘GOOD PLACE’ of what music is as a magical medium, and it has always been this way. It’s a paradox, the warring of opposing and illogical forces/actions. Which neatly explains my situation. That ultimately I was considered so much of a threat due to my talent by my direct peers (& for exposing various suspect incidents, along with discrimination), I’ve been completely forced/harassed out as a result. So rather than dwell on it, because it’s the wrong frequency, I’m walking away to regain my equilibrium/recover financially and realise it was never about me. It’s really about the gifts & insights I naturally have, and the internal insecurities that arise in others when you exhibit them. Which you know, sucks, because everyone has unique skills and mine are no better or more important than anyone else’s. But the music industry harbours a lot of ego, prejudice & elitism and just…runs like this. So its not personal, it is what it is. Maybe I should take it as a very extreme backhanded compliment? These suppressive situations operate just like physics, they are an equal and opposite reaction to how good I am as a music photographer. To transmute this oppression (which many minorities experience in this field), I must research and write about how music can become the very opposite to its current state, by looking at it from a positive & inclusive point of view (which will subsequently change the industry in time). Therefore shapeshifting music into a true force of good within society, ultimately its true purpose.

Naturally, the best thing to do now is to shift focus to achieve this, let all that stress go and follow the Wu-Wei, then new opportunities in other mediums I’ve not thought of yet will present themselves (and concentrate on having more fun). As this is a studio that can really be anything, which is exciting to consider. I also do think this situation is part of some grand plan for me & only good will come from it, so I’m trusting the process on that one. It’s currently a form of protection in my opinion. So it’s not for me to predict or plan my next step, but hand it over to a higher power while I refine the academic theory I’m producing. There is still a pen and paper to hand and magic surrounds me, time to tap into that flow. At some point someone will grant me a high end & forward thinking opportunity within photography (music or otherwise). But I can’t control when & who that will be, and I’ll only accept the very best treatment from now on. So I’ll just assume it’s on its way and will come at the most optimal hour once everything is more balanced. Or ‘at ease’. So this is the correct place for me, with the least resistance, for the time being…

‘Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change’

Stephen Hawking

THE FUTURE

For any academic theory or XX project enquires (or day jobs) in all sectors will now be the main focus of the studio (and aims my energy into more innovative and magic realms) please email sarah@sarahginn.co.uk. This is new work that I’m really excited to concentrate on and explore more, so I look forward to hearing from you :-)

I have removed myself from all social media to enable me to focus effectively, therefore all communication must come through this one channel

My music photography work is available in the publications below: