We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Victoria Campa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Victoria, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I love photography, and I have been taking photos seriously since I was a teenager. Early on, however, I realized that while I love making work, I also love thinking about and talking to other artists. I get excited discussing process, understanding others’ goals and ambitions, and learning more about projects that have been difficult and rewarding. I started a magazine for young, emerging photographers when I was in college, and, when I moved to San Francisco, I founded Counter Collective, which focuses on highlighting work by female, non-binary, and trans lens-based artists. The collective has been a way to both encourage my own work, by creating networks for accountability and inspiration, but also to really further my mission of supporting the dissemination of photography by showcases diverse artists. My own photographic practice also often involves intimate storytelling, via words that complement imagery, and deep connections, both with my subjects and with myself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

When I moved to San Francisco in 2020, I was craving an arts scene and a network of other young photographers. I quickly realized that, while California has a rich photographic history, most of the photography that was being shown in galleries was very bro-y and male-dominated. I decided that, if I didn’t see myself or my peers represented in these spaces, I could create new spaces. Thus, Counter Collective was born.

For the past four years, Counter Collective has focused on highlighting work by artists who have been historically excluded from traditional gallery settings, especially work by female, non-binary, and trans photographers. We have curated exhibitions, hosted workshops, and orchestrated all related programming, including panels, film screenings, and artist walkthroughs. We have also held critiques, book clubs, and photo walks, where like-minded people can get to know each other in a more casual way.

Counter Collective is about bringing people together around art and creativity while supporting young and emerging artists. Photographers who may never have exhibited before can have the opportunity to do so in a professional setting, and experienced artists can access a space to experiment or try something new. Counter Collective is also about bringing people to the art, and about creating spaces that are accessible, innovative, and fun.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The heart of Counter Collective, and everything I do, lies in making art more accessible. Too often, people feel alienated in galleries, as if they don’t belong because they’re unsure how to interpret modern art or worry about not having something “insightful” to say. Meanwhile, art programs are being cut left and right due to lack of funding, depriving many children of the chance to experience museums or exhibitions, or learn about art history.

I genuinely believe that art has the power to make the world better, and the key to unlocking that potential is accessibility through public programs. These initiatives bridge the gap, turning what could be a passive experience into something immersive and interactive. Programs bring art to the audience by sparking conversations and fostering interactions that go beyond simply viewing a painting or photograph on a wall.

For this reason, whether I’m curating an exhibition or participating in a show, I think carefully about who we’re inviting into the space and how we can ensure the work feels accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, education, race, or age.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Art is the way we express ourselves and forge meaningful connections. Whether through the written word, via musical notes, or with visual imagery, art captures and communicates feeling, and is a vehicle to process and make something out of our lives. I read long ago that a favorite photographer of mine, Emmet Gowin, once said: “Kisses are among the vehicles I would use if I were not able to make pictures.” That perfectly captures how I feel about what I create, both through the lens of a camera or via a curated experience: my work is an outstretched hand, reaching out into the void to whoever is on the other side.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.victoriacampa.com
• Instagram: @vwcampa // @counterphotocollective