The British Journal of Photography, the world’s second longest continuously running photography magazine, has announced that it is raising funds using a thoroughly new method: by offering shares to its readers and followers via crowdfunding website CrowdCube. Due to unprecedented demand the campaign has reached its initial funding goal within hours of going live, with up to 28 days still left for investors to get involved.
Established in 1854, BJP has changed dramatically since its early Victorian roots as a weekly gentleman's journal discussing the science of photography. It now encompasses a high-quality, recently redesigned monthly print magazine, award-winning apps for iPad and iPhone, and an expanding series of events and social media channels that reach more than a million people. Combining an artistic, contemporary focus with a technological savvy, BJP sits in a unique space in the industry.
Against declining sales for print magazines globally, BJP is part of the recent boom in independent publishing, and has increased its international subscription base by 70% over three years while building a wider international readership via its apps and online.
BJP is seeking fresh investment to bring its archive - which spans over 160 years of content - to the public via the web. Over 180,000 pages, encompassing all of photographic history, have already been scanned and digitised.
It also plans to expand its online editorial coverage globally, to grow its programme of live events, and to enable photographers to sell their images to its international audience.
With one of the oldest photography magazines in the world embracing a thoroughly modern investment model, equity crowdfunding allows BJP’s dedicated readership an opportunity to share in the future of a photographic institution.
Marc Hartog, CEO & Founder: “We have over 650,000 people who follow us on social media because they love what we do. We want to give them the chance to be a part of our future plans by offering them a share of the company. Crowdfunding has become mainstream in the short three years since starting our business, and this interesting new platform has created an opportunity for us to give our readers and followers the chance to invest in our profitable and growing business, and to own a piece of photographic history from as little as £10."
To register your interest or find out more visit: bjp.photo/invest
The BJP pitch page is now live at www.crowdcube.com/bjp
Contact: Marc Hartog / marc@apptitudemedia.co.uk
Established in 1854, British Journal of Photography is the world’s second longest, continually published, and most influential photography magazine, defining the future of contemporary photography. It is available as a premium-quality monthly print magazine, as well as online, iPad, and iPhone publications. BJP has a combined audience of more than a million creatives worldwide.
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