Society6 Went Curated—And My Photography Didn’t Make the Cut
Well, Society6 made a decision. They’re going “curated,” and my photography products didn’t make the cut. Here’s the opening paragraphs of the email:
We hope this message finds you well. As Society6 continues to evolve, we are making strategic changes to our marketplace structure to better align with current market dynamics and customer preferences. While our community has grown to include over 400,000 artists and an incredibly diverse catalog, we’ve decided to operate as a more focused brand with a smaller group of artists.
Regrettably, after careful consideration of various factors including market trends and customer needs, we have decided your account will not be included in the curated group of artists moving forward starting March 18th, 2025.
I get it. It’s a branding decision, a business decision. However, it changes things for me in several ways, and change is a constant in life and in business. So, I’m posting this today not to rant, but to kind of reflect, and to articulate as I process through it and formulate my next action.
What Society6 Used to Be, and Why I Joined
I joined Society6 very early in my decision to sell photography products and merchandise. It was a total delight to create different types of products with my artwork on them. The platform was open to all artists, but the company does have terms of service with which all artists have to comply. My stuff is all family-friendly anyway.
The studio was easy to use, and creating products was an enjoyable process. Their product lines were diverse – wide and deep. I mean, art prints for your wall, lots of textile products, lots of kitchenware products, gym bags, sling chairs – that kind of diverse. Not only that, the platform had reasonably good marketplace visibility, and I was able to reach new buyers who love photography-based art.
The Shift to “Curated” – Less Photography
While Society6 didn’t explicitly state what they would be looking for from their artists, I was still getting their promotional emails. It appears that they’ve moved completely away from photography artworks. Their designs are now all abstract and kind of funky, in the all-over designs, and the artworks that are subject-based are “statements.” Additionally, I’m seeing a heavier emphasis on diversity and inclusion in their promotions. That’s fine, that’s a business decision. Ultimately, curation and curated spaces have value for some people, but…
Why This Doesn’t Work for Me
My work isn’t about identity or messaging – it’s about beauty, wonder, stillness, exploration, adventure. While my artwork doesn’t check Society6’s boxes, it still has a lot of meaning, for me, and for my viewers, customers, and collectors. I put a lot of effort into creating quality work, and it’s frustrating that the exclusion is not for quality, but for focus. Again, I just need to remember that it’s a business decision.
My Emotional Response
Even though it’s a business decision that I respect, it still disappoints me. I’m not mad. In fact, I’m grateful for the time I was able to make use of the platform. It was a lot of fun seeing a waterfall become a fuzzy throw blanket. Did this choice annoy me? Of course – a little. I’m not going to pretend that I’m a fan of their new aesthetic direction, but there we are.
Where I’m Headed With My Photography
Fortunately, Society6 was only one of the sites that showcased my artwork. My craft can still be found in a lot of other places, and I have links below. Moreover, taking one platform out of the mix will let me consolidate some of my effort. Fortunately, I’ve got another platform that’s constantly adding new product options, and I’ve sort of neglected it in favor of Society6, and I had started looking into another site that offers similar stuff. It just kind of hit me exactly at the time when I was getting ready to start putting a laser focus on my photography business. It’s fine. It’s a change, and it didn’t cost me anything. Onward!
Your Turn
I think I’ve gotten it out of my system now. Change happens all the time, and I’m glad that I am diversified on several different sites. I’m ready to knuckle down now.
How about you – have you experienced a significant change at a business that disappointed or surprised you? Tell me about it and let’s compare notes. Drop a comment down underneath the Related posts section.
My photography shops are https://www.oakwoodfineartphotography.com/ and https://oakwoodfineart.etsy.com, my merch shop is https://www.zazzle.com/store/south_fried_shop.
Check out my New and Featured page – the latest photos and merch I’ve added to my shops! https://oakwoodexperience.com/new-and-featured/
Curious about safeguarding your digital life without getting lost in the technical weeds? Check out ‘Your Data, Your Devices, and You’—a straightforward guide to understanding and protecting your online presence. Perfect for those who love tech but not the jargon. Available now on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Data-Devices-Easy-Follow-ebook/dp/B0D5287NR3
