For the first time ever, all the following photographs you’ll see in this interview weren’t made by the person interviewed. In fact, the one above was made by New York photographer Eddie Lago (@eddielago). Of course, Eddie Lago isn’t the person interviewed. That’s Vancouver artist Jeff Hamada. But Hamada isn’t really a professional photographer, either. Though he does shoot and is good at it (@jeffhamada), that’s not why you’re reading this interview. You’re reading it because Jeff Hamada is the founder and curator of Booooooom.

Launched in 2008, Booooooom has become one of the most popular art blogs in the world. And when I write art, I mean the entirety of it. Booooooom is where any writer, painter, filmmaker, musician, designer, and, yes, photographer can find something, or someone, to inspire them. It’s not Art Forum. It’s decidedly accessible. It’s a site that reassures you that you’re sane, healthy even, and that other people are just as obsessed with art as you are. It’ll point you to movements you’d have never noticed, illuminate an artist you’d have never seen. And for emerging photographers, it provides a chance to get noticed.

The photographs you’ll see then were made by ten talented photographers who got noticed through Booooooom’s Best of Instagram posts. Photographers just like you. So if you want to join the fun, there are only three things you need to do besides reading: 1) Press play on the playlist I have linked at the bottom of the interview (it’s slightly NSFW and mixed by Jeff) 2) Get an Instagram account  3) Send your best photograph to @jeffhamada (only your best one). If it’s good enough and selected, you’ll get featured in the Best of Instagram posts just like all the other photographers in this interview. And if it’s not, you’ll, at the very least, join a community of inspired photographers just like you.

In this brief interview, Hamada talks about how he started Booooooom, explains his thoughts on photography, and reveals what types of photographs pull his attention.

Booooooom’s amazing – the artists, the photographers, the films, your own taste and commentary. What’s the origin story? What were your initial goals?

I really just wanted to create an art site that was really accessible and inclusive, without any of the elitism of art school. Shortly after starting it, I realised I really enjoyed communicating with people and the art was just a means to do it.

It’s definitely a space meant for the 21st century. Why do you think Boooooom has found such great success? Have you learned any surprising truths about social media? Any weird correlations?

There are no shortcuts. You might be able to connect with more people faster because of the Internet, but you can’t make real genuine friendships any quicker than you can in real life. If you care actually care about the people reading your blog, or looking at your photos, make sure they know. The little things count.

About photography, what usually brings you in? If you had to draw what you usually find yourself attracted to, what colors would you use? What shape would it take?

I like when photographers find little moments in the monotony of everyday life and point out something really beautiful that might have been overlooked by most people. I still make drawings and they are mostly text-based, things I’ve overheard, ideas I have.

Could we talk about aesthetics? What makes a photograph successful to you? Have you ever been brought to tears looking at one?

I’m brought to tears by photography every time I see an image with the hashtag #followme. In all seriousness it’s hard to speak really generally about what makes a photo good or bad. I will say though that I’ve lost interest in the snapshot film photography scene that was so popular a few years ago. I’m not necessarily against blurry or underexposed images but more often than not what was being passed off as an aesthetic choice was unintentional.

What advice would you give to other photographers about using Instagram and Tumblr to promote themselves? Besides Booooooom, any other sites and people they should follow?

Don’t worry about getting likes, it will all blow over soon and no one will care anymore. The Booooooom Instagram won’t always be strictly photography, I do post my own photography to my personal account @jeffhamada though. One account I really like is @globalyodel.

You’re a great illustrator and artist. Could you give some advice about composition you think photographers should remember? Any guidelines you think are crucial to know?

I don’t really have any advice about composition other than to look at lots of other photographers’ work. Also make an effort to look at work that doesn’t interest you to at least understand what it is that other people see in it.

Pursuing an artistic career is challenging. Any words of encouragement you could give to other artists and photographers who might be close to giving up?

Remember this is what you love to do.

Be sure to check out all of Jeff’s work at his website!