The moment my content, which I thought 'didn't need to be profitable,' changed

I have started a membership.

After starting it, I thought about it again.
Why have I continued this content for so long?

The initial spark was very simple.

I personally wanted to see various people's film simulation recipes.

Seeing that there are people shooting with these settings, and that there are ways to create colors like this, I wanted to know the behind-the-scenes of the shooting, so I thought, maybe I should put mine out there too, and that was the beginning.

At first, I was publishing them for free, and I think it was more of a feeling of wanting to make things myself that I wanted to see, rather than wanting to reach anyone in particular. I had almost no intention of making money or anything like that.

However, as I continued, my feelings gradually changed.

When I put them out for free, many people see them, but the reactions become thin and spread out.

I started to want to properly connect with people who have more passion and who love film simulations and FUJIFILM itself.

So I made the recipe collection paid and started photo walks as well.

By the way, if you sign up for the membership, you will have unlimited access to all recipes.

Honestly, for the first photo walk, I didn't know how many people would come, so I was quite anxious. Well, if no one came, it would mean no one was watching my content, so I thought that would be fine. But when I opened the lid, about 20 people came.

I was surprised. And I was very happy.

I remember clearly feeling that day, 'Oh, this is the kind of connection I wanted to make,' when I realized that so many people had gathered for something I had just been putting out there on my own. Moreover, it was clear that everyone who participated had truly come because they loved FUJIFILM and film simulations.

Looking back now, I think this was less about monetization and more about wanting to create a place to meet people who resonate with me. I wanted to stay loosely connected with people who love photography, love FUJIFILM, and are moved by similar things. I think that sentiment has been a constant thread through both the recipe collections and the photo walks.

Actually, I have always kept this separate from my professional photography work. The photos I take for work and the film simulations I share as a hobby are completely different genres.

But lately, I often think that the roots are the same.

It connects to the story about 'drifting' that I wrote about before; I feel that my stance of wanting to take photos that don't make definitive statements is reflected directly in how I share my content.

Rather than teaching something, I want to leave space for viewers to feel or experiment in their own way. I also have a desire to research together. I intend for my recipes to be presented in that way as well.

Forming a membership was also an extension of that flow.

Honestly, I don't think about making a lot of money from this. More than that, I wanted to properly create a place where people who love photography and FUJIFILM, and who can empathize with each other, could gather.

The content I thought didn't need to be profitable had, before I knew it, become a place to connect with others.

I intend to continue at a relaxed pace, without any pressure, from here on out.

I would be very happy if you could join the membership.