Crystle joined After5 out of curiosity to meet like-minded women outside her regular circles. Drawn to the inclusive and vibrant environment, she found herself inspired by the genuine connections that define After5. She emphasizes the importance of consciously prioritizing friendships, as they bring support, joy, and inspiration to every aspect of her life. Through their encouragement, she has also built the confidence to pursue photography.
She now joined our community and even played a vital role in our latest campaign shoots, capturing the meaning of connection at After5 through her lens. Her vision for the studio photoshoot was simple yet profound: to showcase the real, authentic selves of After5 members. Crystle believes in creating safe, fun, and empowering spaces, much like After5 dinners.
Crystle is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Have a look at her portfolio!
What made you join After5 and inspired you to become part of this community?
Honestly, it was my curiosity. I was eager to see how an evening of meeting new women would unfold. I did not have any particular expectations, however I was blown away by the positive experience. It was eye-opening to realize how many of us are actually seeking a way to connect outside of our 'regular' circles. I was immediately drawn to what After5 stood for: a safe and enjoyable environment to meet new, young and inspiring women from different backgrounds - all seeking genuine connections. In addition, After5 managed to select the very best spots in the city to have great food and even better wine. Who doesn't love that?!
Life can get in the way and balancing friendships with the other life aspect can be a little challenging. So I believe you have to make a conscious choice to prioritize time with friends. It's not always easy, but so rewarding when you do.
How did you feel before joining After5? How did you feel after, was it like you expected?
I didn't have any particular expectations. I also considered the fact that it could be awkward or quiet or uneasy. And luckily, that wasn't the case, not even for a second. Joining After5 felt very refreshing and I loved hearing the stories from so many different women. After the first dinner, the group briefly stayed in touch. Personally, as I was so grateful for the opportunity, I kept close to After5, following the blogs, posts, mailings. In terms of opportunities, I'm especially grateful for the chance to collaborate on After5’s latest campaign shoots. Thank you for trusting me to capture your wonderful members!
How have female friendships helped you in your journey? Did they influence your photography?
It can be challenging to meet up with female friends as often as I'd like. Life gets busy with work, relationships, side projects, pets and family obligations. However, it's great to know that there's a group of women who always have your back. Whether it's calling someone at any hour to talk, have a fun night out or eat popcorn on the couch together - it's such a comforting feeling.
My friends definitely were the ones who encouraged me to take photography beyond a hobby. They gave me the confidence to build my portfolio, step out of my comfort zone and pursue more professional opportunities. While I've just started out, the reassurance I got from friends is really helpful to stay motivated and keep going.
Let’s talk about the photoshoot you did for After5’ Member campaign? What inspired you?
Particularly for this member campaign in the studio, I felt like it was important to highlight the 'real' person, beyond first impressions. Since we were working with actual members who might not have any experience in front of the camera, I wanted to connect with them, ensuring they felt comfortable, had fun, and felt safe. Just like the atmosphere created at After5’ dinners. And this approach really worked to get some fantastic and genuine results.
Did anything stood out to you about the experience? What did you see and feel behind your camera?
What stood out to me most was watching each of the ladies blossom throughout the day. They each arrived feeling a little nervous, but that soon vanished because of the welcoming environment you created. We had so much fun together, which made the experience very easy for me behind the camera. And the best part of it all? Capturing their most genuine expressions and emotions!