Sarah Ginn, who was formerly the resident photographer at London’s famous Fabric nightclub, has announced she’s quit music photography because of “misogyny and bullying.”
“I got into this as I loved music and wanted to make it look beautiful and I have the upmost [sic] respect for those that create it,” Ginn writes in a statement she posted to social media, citing her love of music and records going back to when she was 13 years old. “But it’s not really enough if you get judged on just what you look like. It doesn’t matter what you achieve if people objectify you as fair game because you are backstage.”
Ginn’s comments add to an ongoing conversation about misogyny in the world of electronic music. Men frequently doubt women even produce their own music, female vocalists are often relegated to uncredited bit parts in songs made by men, and male artists appropriate femininity for their own artistic gain. Electronic music has become increasingly bro-ified in mainstream spheres (think: the Chainsmokers, Calvin Harris, Deadmau5) and has moved farther away from its history rooted in women making electronic music (like Pauline Oliveros, Wendy Carlos, or Laurie Spiegel.) And Ginn’s story shows, once again, that even if you aren’t a musician, women in these spaces are expected to just be there and look hot, not make art or do their job.
“If I am not respected and valued by the people I shoot as an equal I can’t make them look amazing,” Ginn concludes. “Morally it’s wrong for my images to be a lie.”
Update, 12:23 PM: Fabric’s Communications Manager Kirsti Weir tells Jezebel in a statement:
Sarah Ginn is an immeasurably skilled and talented photographer and has produced a huge amount of beautiful and outstanding work for us throughout our long relationship. She’s been a vital part of how we visually present the club during this time and quite simply is one of the best in her field. We’re sad that she has faced these issues to the point that she’s now decided to leave the music world. We wish her all the best following this new direction and will continue to support her wherever we can.
