“When people chase what they love, they will inevitably seek out and immerse themselves in knowledge flows, drinking deeply from new creative wells even as they contribute their own experiences and insights along the way.” ― John Seely Brown, The Power of Pull

Our fish taco collaboration was decided upon because we had some fish leftover from another client shoot. Unfortunately, by the time we got around to using the fish the freezer had attacked it. Let me just take a second here to highlight how wonderful it is to collaborate with people who are not easily frustrated or stumped when facing challenges. The team immediately engaged a new plan and was able to find some fresh fish at a nearby market.

In addition to being well networked, active on social media, and flexible, our collaborations seek to include individuals from different fields of expertise. This diversity is encouraged in Steven Johnson's book "Where Good Ideas Comes From":

"The entrepreneurs who built bridges outside of their islands were able to borrow or co-opt new ideas from these external environments and put them to use in a new context." - Steven Johnson, Where Great Ideas Come From

By bringing together people from different industries we are able to not only challenge and encourage each other, we are also able to share edge ideas from our unique fields which others might be able to adapt to their own businesses. Our collaborators exchange information around marketing, technology, photography, video, and so much more! This free exchange of information is fostered by the fact we each have the mindset that we are hustling to put Seattle on the creative map. So the next time you meet someone from a different industry, see them through the lens of connections, there is treasure hidden in the person who stands before you. Also, I would encourage you to not be reluctant sharing ideas and information. Don't be fearful of competition, because the way I see it, the more you give the more you grow.

"But that secrecy, as we have seen, comes with great cost. Protecting ideas from copycats and competitors also protects them from other ideas that might improve them, might transform them from hints and hunches to true innovations. " - Steven Johnson, Where Great Ideas Come From

CollaboratorsMatt Broussard: @acooknamedmatt (Taco Creator!)Josiah Michael: @josiahmichael (Taco Tuesday Photographer)Kaleb Norman James: @kalebnormanjames (Tablescape Design)Esther Maria Swaty: @uncommoncartography (Collaboration Producer)Sarah Flotard: @sflotard (Guest/Food photographer)Megan Little: @meganmlittle (Guest/Fashion blogger)C. Wells Style: @cwellsstyle (Guest /Fashion blogger)Lauren Caron: @laurenlcaron (Guest/Interior designer)

BrandsVoss: @vossworld (used in Lemongrass Tempura Cod Taco Recipe)World Market: @worldmarket (table setting) Original New York Seltzer: @originalnewyorkseltzer (on the table)

If you need content for your website, social media, or an upcoming product launch please feel free to email me at esther@uncommoncartography.com and I can make sure to connect you with cost efficient resources that will capture your product story and showcase it in a compelling way.

“Great thinking partners aren’t echo chambers - they bring well-stocked minds, new perspective, and challenge.” - Margaret Heffernan When looking to work with a brand, we do thorough research to uncover a problem that we can solve. If the brand does not have a problem that we can solve, then we move on to other richer prospects. As an artist or entrepreneur, your time is valuable, so it is incredibly important to measure your return on investment. Identify the brands that you want to work with, then experiment with different approaches.

The Wine and Pizza shoot was the first time an Uncommon Collaboration featured a brand. Josiah Michael approached Precept Wine’s PR and Social Media Coordinator, to see if Precept had a label they needed photography for. We were in luck; they were looking to get new images for their Canoe Ridge wine, from a winery in Walla Walla.

When putting together a collaboration I consider who is a part of the Seattle Uprising, you know that rising tide of creatives that are putting in the work to stand apart from the rest of the crowd? We have learned for these collaborations that it is helpful if collaborators are well networked and active on social media, this provides the greatest exposure for the brands and fellow collaborators. Also, when selecting our collaborators we really consider the energy that they will bring, because we want an amazing experience for everyone who is participating.

The pizza and wine collaboration went even better than we could have imagined! Not only did all of the collaborators receive great photography and exposure, but this kicked off a great partnership between us and Precept Wine. Make sure to check out the final product on Canoe Ridge's Instagram account :)

Collaborators

Brand

Precept Wine - Canoe Ridge

No. 03: Uncommon Collaboration - Taco Tuesday

No. 02 - Uncommon Collaboration: Wine & Pizza