For my money, Kris Krug is a talented photographer in Vancouver. Without getting into a long-winded ass-kissing explanation into the reasons why, I’ll say this: He’s a brilliant social-media entrepreneur that combines his signature talent (photography) with an unrelenting media approach that results in an incredible breadth of exposure for his material.
I’m bringing this up for two reasons in this post.
1. It boggles my mind, but some businesses don’t feel that Twitter and other (free!) social media tools out there still aren’t convincing people that they have longevity and are relevant. Kris Krug (and his team) are a fantastic example of how a properly used strategy can get your shit out there. Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, Technorati, et cetera – you check it and Mr. Krug is there (51,000 Google hits in 0.21 seconds says a wee bit about this). It’s incredible because through tools that are free on the web (and pure talent), his brand has extended itself to the umpteenth degree. Plus he’s fucking talented (did I mention that?). But the point is these tools aren’t just some lucky college kid who created a fad and a few web-happy people started boasting. They work, and Mr. Krug’s use of these should be noted by artists and businesses alike because it’s a wonderful example of a acutely executed and exercised social media strategy.
2. When you think of Kris Krug photography, the last thing you probably think of (if you have any clue what his work is like) is pansy-ass flowers and the pansification of boring landscape pictures. His art has a wee bit of an edge, and his brand is that of an insanely talented individual that unrelentingly approaches his craft his own way. Sans lame flower pictures. But at the same time, he can take a picture of the Dali Lama and it’s money. He’s just that good.
That’s fine and dandy, but this example is brought up for a reason.
That reason is branding online and how one presents oneself. Kris Krug has, through talent and media strategy, presented his art in a particular way. That way, for me, is of a badass photographer that never takes lame photos and always has a signature grit about his photos. A brand is ones gut about something, and for me, that’s mine about Kris.
So, the point of reason number two, is the online brand. I think that the use of social media tools is important, but all the while presenting yourself as a brand is equally important. For many people, this may be common sense, but for those who start Twitter accounts just for the hell of it, think again and recheck your strategy. Being involved with the tools that are out there online is important, but unless you have a plan of attack like Mr. Krug, don’t waste your time and effort. The end result is a shitty online brand, and in these times, a shitty brand is an extension of yourself that you probably would like to avoid.
OKKKKKK! I just wanted to post this picture today, and look at this ramble that developed eh? But really, I didn’t know what to write in the post, but I really liked this picture. So I stared and stared and stared at the picture for a while trying to figure out what to write. Then I thought this: This picture has an edge, it reminds me of Gastown, it doesn’t suck, it has pretty solid composition and I’d hang it on my wall. Most of Kris Krugs pictures have those qualities (which speaks to his brand) so this picture is a weird, long-winded ode to his kick ass shit and a thanks to his killer work that has inspired me in an plethora (ccccringe at that word) of ways.
Click here for his website.
by Cole
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