About Us

Sustainability

‘For People and Planet’

At Shutter Hub, we hope to show through action how photography can be approached from a sustainable and socially responsible perspective. By promoting education, reducing inequality, and embracing environmentally sound practices, we’re demonstrating how photography can be a tool for meaningful change.

What We Do:

  • Our website is hosted on a server powered by 100% green energy.
  • Our books are printed on recycled paper, in limited runs, to reduce waste and overproduction.
  • Our exhibitions are printed on responsibly sourced paper using toners and inks that are produced using 100% green energy and utilise recyclable containers.
  • We print all images featured in our exhibitions on behalf of photographers, thereby reducing the cost of participation for photographers and avoiding the environmental impact of couriering and shipping work.
  • We highlight global environmental and social issues and concerns in our exhibitions, publications and other initiatives.
  • Our Camera Amnesty has supported thousands of photographers from low-income backgrounds and high-quality community projects by providing donated camera equipment. We’ve repurposed, recycled and repaired thousands of cameras and items photography equipment that otherwise would have gone to landfill.
  • Thousands of cameras and photography equipment, alongside our Shutter Hub Editions books, have been given to charities and community groups, helping amplify creative voices that might otherwise be unheard.
  • No paywalls, no gatekeeping. All our online resources, such as our features and Portfolio Review Guide are free to access and read.
  • Our calls for entries are accessible and affordable due to our ‘pay what you can’ structure. We offer subsidised and free entries to photographers experiencing difficult situations including homelessness, displacement, poverty and social injustices.
  • We provide opportunities for emerging curators and photo editors, giving support and experience to photographers and enabling them the platform to publish work and curate group exhibitions.

We Are Committed To:

  • Understanding the impact our work has on the environment and reducing that impact as much as possible.
  • Encouraging sustainable consumption associated with our activities to avoid unnecessary waste of electricity, fuel and materials.
  • Considering the environmental credentials of our partners and working with those who operate under sustainable and environmentally conscious best practices.

How Shutter Hub Supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Sustainable Practices and Inclusive Projects

Shutter Hub is actively contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through inclusive, sustainable, and community-focused photography projects and initiatives. What we do addresses multiple SDGs, with a strong focus on fair access, equality, and environmental responsibility.

Goal 4: Quality Education

Shutter Hub creates accessible opportunities, including workshops and practical experience in areas such as curating and publishing. We’ve provided free advice, portfolio reviews, cameras and photography equipment, to thousands of people and supported creative skills development programmes around the world.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

A core principle of Shutter Hub is equity and accessibility. We want everyone to be able to benefit from the opportunities we offer by implementing a ‘pay what you can’ model and offering free entries for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. These efforts break down financial barriers and make the arts more inclusive and diverse.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Shutter Hub integrates sustainability into its operations. We’ve repurposed or recycled thousands of cameras and items of photography equipment, giving them second life and reducing e-waste whilst also benefiting individuals, community groups and charities around the world. Our exhibitions are printed on responsibly sourced paper using biodegradable inks, making them recyclable and low-impact, and our Shutter Hub Editions books are produced using recycled paper and limited print runs, consciously reducing waste and overproduction.