It is credited with ‘democratising photography’ on a global level – and now Shutter Hub is making its most democratic move yet. As of this month, the organisation will pass into the control of the community it was built for, in what founder Karen Harvey MBE describes as ‘a logical next step: to make things more equitable we need multiple perspectives.’
The announcement follows Karen’s decision to remove paid memberships last year, making Shutter Hub ‘fully open-access and available at no cost to all’. It’s a typically altruistic move from the social entrepreneur: also the founder of Toiletries Amnesty, the award-winning NGO. She was made an MBE in 2024 for services to people living in hygiene poverty, to considerate consumption and the environment.
Karen is building a Community Team to run Shutter Hub going forward. Calling for creative photographers from around the world to get involved, the new structure will see them work collectively to support both each other and the future of photography.
‘I’ve worked hard to build Shutter Hub, it’s solid, and something I am proud of,’ says Karen. ‘It’s more than a business – it’s a platform, a mission, a community, sometimes even a lifeline.
‘The logical next step is to share it. To make things more equitable we need multiple perspectives. I have connected with some brilliant photographers over the years, and now it’s time to give them the platform to do more and go further.’
Although she will still be involved, Karen will be supporting from behind the scenes, giving the new team ‘the space and opportunity to thrive without constraints’.
Recently listed in the SE100 Index – which recognises the UK’s top 100 most inspiring social businesses, delivering impact at scale and setting the standard for excellence – Shutter Hub supports creative photographers worldwide through community-focused opportunities, including exhibitions, portfolio reviews, and photobook publishing.
With a market valuation upwards of half a million, and multiple acquisition enquiries over recent years, why not sell? ‘It’s just not why I started Shutter Hub,’ Karen explains. ‘I built it to create community, kindness and opportunities.
‘Shutter Hub exists to make social change, to enable and connect, to do good things. I want to share what I’ve built with people from the creative community who want to be part of something that is moving forward and making a positive impact.’
Since establishing Shutter Hub 12 years ago, Karen, who brings a wealth of photography expertise, has undertaken countless portfolio reviews; curated exhibitions across the UK, Europe and Middle East; partnered with big-name organisations, including the University of Cambridge; and established publishing arm Editions, which showcases the work of photographers in themed – and beautiful – photobooks.
She also created sister scheme Camera Amnesty, which, by redistributing unwanted and donated kit, has provided free photography equipment to thousands of people around the world, particularly those affected by social injustices, including homelessness, displacement and poverty.
Featured on the 2025 Future Icons Power People list – alongside David Attenborough, Feargal Sharkey and the King – acts of altruism have come to define Karen’s career. More than 15 years ago, she merged a successful arts agency, which she’d built over the course of seven years, with a regional charity. The merger, combined with Karen’s focal work with hard-to-reach vulnerable and deprived communities, enabled more than £1 million in arts funding to be secured for Cambridgeshire.
Interested in finding out more or being part of Shutter Hub’s new Community Team? Get in touch below.
Want to know more about Karen’s work and other projects? Visit karen-harvey.co.uk or find her on Instagram @harveyhotdog
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