Welcome to my Sketchbook!
This newsletter is not too serious. It’s a space to write about my life, showcase my photography, and recommend photobooks. It’s my corner of the internet that isn't dictated by an algorithm.
Why subscribe?
I was (and still am) sick of being on social media platforms that are run by billionaires. I was sick of putting so much energy into gaming the algorithms just so that the people who already followed me could see my work. Substack is a breath of fresh air on the internet and puts control back in the hands of artists and writers. I wanted to create a casual, fun space on the internet where we could discuss photobooks, I could share my work, and we could talk about my life as a full-time photographer.
Since this is a “Sketchbook,” I want everything here to be candid. I never want to overthink anything here. In the photographs I make and the things I write about, I want it all to be less curated and more sincere than on other social media platforms. I needed a space to experiment and express my thoughts candidly with other like-minded individuals. So thank you for being here. It means a lot.
I don’t plan to put anything here behind a paywall right now, but if you would like to support my work, becoming a paid subscriber offers several benefits.
Paid Subscriber Benefits:
All public posts/full archive
Ability to start new threads in the Sketchbook Chat
Yearly Paid Subscribers will receive one signed 8x10 inch open edition print. (*Monthly Paid Subscribers will receive their print after 12 months of their subscription)
About
Ryan Belk (b. 1993) is a photographer based in Charleston, SC.
Born and raised in North Charleston, at the age of 13, Belk was introduced to photography by his grandfather on a 35mm film camera. Belk was fascinated by how his grandfather documented the world around him as he grew up. He took that fascination and went on to study photography at the Art Institute of Charleston, and left with a strong passion for storytelling. His experience spans 14 years as a wedding, portrait, and commercial photographer. Over the last seven years, he’s continued to work on a long-term street photography project focusing on last-stage capitalism at its most epic, hilarious, and benign.
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Much love,
Ryan ✌️
