ZERO.NINE magazine has partnered with Cluster to present a new award celebrating emerging talent in photography. Ahead of the announcement, we spoke with the team at ZERO.NINE to learn more about the editorial vision behind the magazine. Known for its bold storytelling, focus on subcultures, and commitment to pushing creative boundaries, ZERO.NINE offers a unique perspective within the photography and arts landscape. This interview offers insight into their curatorial approach, community-building efforts, and the shared motivation behind the collaboration with Cluster—setting the stage for a deeper conversation around the awards in our follow-up feature.

ZERO NINE magazine is renowned for its unique editorial perspective. What key themes or philosophies drive your content, especially when it comes to showcasing emerging talent?

ZERO.NINE magazine is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, with a focus on photography, subcultures and creative expression. We explore themes of identity and human connection, championing artists who challenge perspectives and redefine the visual landscape. Our editorial approach is deeply collaborative and narrative-driven, blending fine art, documentary, and photography with cultural discourse.

Can you tell us a bit more about the motivation to partner with Cluster and provide opportunities to showcase artists' work and gain industry exposure?

Our motivation to partner with Cluster stems from a shared commitment to giving artists a platform beyond traditional spaces. We aim to provide artists with industry exposure, meaningful editorial features and a bridge to a wider creative community. Through ZERO.NINE, we want to amplify new voices and celebrate the diverse, evolving nature of contemporary photography and visual arts. Especially for an online publication like ours, experience the work in a physical space is very important to us. 

How do you select the projects and artists featured in the magazine? Can you discuss the process of identifying and nurturing talent?

We take a highly considered and intuitive approach to selecting artists and projects. Our features come from direct outreach, open submissions and close engagement with the creative community. We look for artists whose work is bold, emotionally resonant and conceptually strong—those who not only create striking visuals but also have a compelling story to tell. Nurturing talent goes beyond publication; we strive to foster long-term relationships with the artists we feature, offering continued visibility through digital platforms and collaborations.

Since its inception, how has ZERO NINE magazine evolved in terms of content, style, and influence within the photography world? What challenges have you faced along the way?

Since its inception, ZERO.NINE has grown from a niche publication into a recognised platform for contemporary photography and artistic exploration. Our evolution has been shaped by a commitment to quality storytelling, curated aesthetics and an expanding global network of creatives. The biggest challenge has been balancing creative independence with industry demands—navigating the financial sustainability while remaining artistically true to ourselves. However, our growing community and strategic partnerships, like this one with Cluster, continue to push us forward.

What strategies do you employ to interact with your readership, and how does feedback from the photography community influence your editorial decisions?

We engage with our audience mainly online through our website and social channels. Especially social media is important because it provides the chance for our audience to give us direct feedback to our content. Social media plays a key role in expanding conversations around our features, exhibitions, artist talks and collaborative events. We value feedback from photographers and readers alike, allowing it to shape our editorial direction and inform future projects. Our goal is to create a living, breathing platform that evolves alongside the artistic community.