Crowd funding is becoming increasingly popular among creatives. With more sites springing up and more artists asking for funds, Don’t Take Pictures spotlights projects that benefit the arts community.

This month’s crowd funding roundup presents an online photographic resource in need of a redesign.

SocialDocumentary.net: The Redesign

Documentary photographers often struggle to find their place in the art world. Their photographs sometimes seem better suited for the pages of the newspaper than on gallery or living room walls. Since its launch in 2008, SocialDocumentary.net has offered an affordable online platform for documentary photographers to showcase their projects. It has become a tremendously important resource for photographers, curators and photo editors alike to connect and view carefully vetted portfolios that represent some of the best documentary work being produced today. 

The founders of SocialDocumentary.net are seeking $15,000 to overhaul their website and provide more opportunities for documentary photographers. They are looking to expand beyond online exhibitions and galleries, and hope to offer licensing and print sales, a conference, and a new membership system. The website itself will be tablet and mobile friendly and feature larger images. The photographer’s galleries will expand to include their bios, websites, and link to licensing options and print sales. 

Good web design can be pricey, and a website as large and complex as SocialDocumentary.net requires professional web developers to help them realize their mission. The rewards for backers include prints as well as listings and galleries on the website. For as little as $20, photographers can support the project and have a portfolio of their work listed on the site. While many photographers may have their own websites, this website creates a community for documentary photographers that receives thousands of visitors per day.

Read more about SocialDocumentary.net on their Kickstarter page.

There are 17 days left to fund this project.

Do you know of a crowd funding project that benefits the art community? Let us know at info@donttakepictures.com.