Alexis Talented Photographer

 This site "VSCO was introduced to me by Alexis, a talented photographer in her own right and a full-time academic in psychology as a random link in her instagram bio. A chance encounter with street photography opened doors to an entirely new world—one that reshaped my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the art form.

The Street Photography was my on going Temporal Photography, in this case my child hood elementary School, almost unchanged! 





VSCO: History, Economic Model, and Cultural Impact

History

VSCO (Visual Supply Company) was founded in 2011 by Joel Flory (a photographer) and Greg Lutze (a designer) in Oakland, California. It began as a mobile photo-editing app offering high-quality filters and presets that mimicked the look of film photography. Over time, VSCO evolved into a social platform where users could share images in a curated, aesthetically pleasing environment without likes or public comments—differentiating it from Instagram.

Key historical moments:

  • 2012: VSCO Cam launched for iOS, with paid presets for professional-level editing.
  • 2013: Introduction of the VSCO Grid, an image-sharing network with no likes or comments.
  • 2014: Expanded to Android.
  • 2017: Raised $40 million in funding to expand AI-powered tools.
  • 2019: The term "VSCO girl" became a viral internet trend, affecting fashion and youth culture.
  • 2021: VSCO acquired creative app Trash (AI-powered video editing) and Montage (collage & video tools).
  • 2023-Present: VSCO continues expanding its paid VSCO Membership and creative tools.

Economic Model

VSCO operates on a freemium model, offering basic photo editing for free but charging for premium features.

Revenue Streams:

  • VSCO Membership ($7.99/month or $29.99/year): Grants access to exclusive filters, video editing, and community features.
  • Filter Packs & Presets: Sold as in-app purchases.
  • Business Collaborations: VSCO has partnered with brands and influencers for special presets and features.
  • Acquisitions: They’ve integrated AI-powered video and collage-making tools to attract more paying users.

VSCO does not use ads, making it stand out from social media platforms that rely on ad revenue.

Cultural Impact

VSCO influenced photography, social media, and Gen Z culture:

  1. Photography & Aesthetics

    • Made professional-grade filters and editing accessible to non-photographers.
    • Popularized film-style edits and minimalist design in social media photography.

  2. Social Media Culture

    • No likes, comments, or follower counts, creating a judgment-free creative space.
    • Inspired Instagram’s "Hide Like Count" feature.

  3. The "VSCO Girl" Trend (2019)

    • A TikTok meme that defined a subculture of teenage girls who wore oversized T-shirts, scrunchies, Crocs, Hydro Flasks, and said “sksksk” (a meme-like laugh).
    • Boosted sales of eco-friendly products like reusable water bottles and metal straws.

  4. Influence on Competitors

    • Inspired Instagram’s editing tools and Adobe Lightroom presets.
    • Set a trend for no-like social media platforms like BeReal and Lapse.

VSCO Timeline Chart

Year Event
2011 VSCO founded by Joel Flory and Greg Lutze.
2012 VSCO Cam app launched for iOS.
2013 Introduction of VSCO Grid (ad-free image-sharing).
2014 Expanded to Android.
2017 Raised $40M funding; expanded AI-powered tools.
2019 "VSCO Girl" meme goes viral on TikTok & Instagram.
2021 Acquired Trash (AI video editing) and Montage.
2023+ Expanding VSCO Membership and video tools.

Final Thoughts

VSCO remains a powerful creative tool and a trendsetter in online aesthetics. While it lacks the engagement-driven models of Instagram and TikTok, its focus on creativity and minimalism has earned it a loyal user base. It has also shaped Gen Z culture, proving that social media doesn’t always need likes to have a big impact.



Here is an AI generated graphic, 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MY OLD LIFE IN JAPAN

Image
 The Yoshii Pothole Park Photo Art Project takes a deep dive into the evolving landscape of Yoshii, Sasebo, blending the historical, natural, and whimsical aspects of this small yet striking sub-village. Using Google Street View as a time capsule, the project reflects on how this area has changed over the past 20 years, capturing not just the physical shifts in the environment, but also the subtle shifts in community life. Pothole Park, with its geological oddities formed by centuries of erosion, serves as a metaphor for the passage of time. As Street View now offers a look at the same scene two decades later, the changes are evident—not just in the park's natural elements but in the fabric of everyday life. The potholes themselves remain as iconic markers of Yoshii's unique landscape, yet around them, new structures have risen, and older ones have faded, making it a poignant reflection of both nature's permanence and the transient human footprint. This project also draw...
Read more
  None Photo links Work blog Blog: Scholx GreatguyTV Secret Blog Post: Ed Scholz lesson on Mentorship (sub section Music) Supporting New  Artists, the Golden Ticket Link:  https://scholz01.blogspot.com/ 2024/09/ed-scholz-lesson-on-me ntorship-sub.html End of World links: AI Everywhere: Transforming Our World, Empowering Humanity (ai411.blogspot.com) Heat https://www.youtube.com/ shorts/uBBy5qAjDhs zombies ...Gtv greatguytv Horror . and Real Life (youtube.com) AI Everywhere: Transforming Our World, Empowering Humanity (ai411.blogspot.com) Links AI Everywhere: Transforming Our World, Empowering Humanity (ai411.blogspot.com) Instragrm https://www.instagram.com/ reel/C1lNAAUslKx/?igsh= YWYwM2I1ZDdmOQ==
Read more
  Analyzing the Canadian Conservative Leader's Impact on Trust in Canadian Institutions Scholx and Cleo Introduction The Canadian Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, has been accused of undermining trust in Canadian institutions. This analysis will examine the pros and cons of this claim, using newspaper quotes and academic references to support the arguments. Pros: Criticism of institutions can lead to accountability : Poilievre's critiques of institutions can be seen as a way to hold them accountable for their actions. As the National Post states, "Poilievre's attacks on the Bank of Canada and the media are not an attack on democracy, but a critique of the institutions that are supposed to serve the people" (National Post, 2022). Challenging the status quo can lead to positive change : Poilievre's challenges to institutions can be seen as a way to bring about positive change. As academic, Dr. Yasmeen Abu-Laban, notes, "Critics of institutions can pla...
Read more