The Raw Society Magazine is an annual book-format periodical published by The Raw Society. A non-profit platform where social issues, politics, culture, and history intersect through deeply personal visual storytelling. Its defining feature is simple yet particular: the community does not just consume the stories—it helps choose them.
The process is straightforward. Photographers submit proposals, and if selected, their projects enter a crowdfunding phase. The rule is clear—reach 10 percent of the funding objective, and the project is in. Every contribution goes to the creators. It is a model that values transparency.
I will admit, I am not someone who enjoys asking for funding, but there is integrity in this approach. It forces a photographer to define the scope, justify the cost, and prove the story matters—not just to an editorial board, but to an audience. How much does it truly take to bring a vision to life? What is the breaking point between idea and execution? This process offers something rare: a chance to lift a story—and its protagonists—from obscurity to a global stage, where it might resonate far beyond its origins.
If you are able, consider adopting a story—whether mine or another—from this year’s lineup. Below, you will find the abstract for my submission, “Luxembourg is our America”, along with ten photos to give you a sense of the project.
Thank you!
Abstract
Luxembourg Is Our America (LIOA) is a long-term documentary project delving into the cross-border reality of the Minett basin—a region straddling southern Luxembourg and the French departments of Moselle and Meurthe-et-Moselle—where the European ideal of unity unfolds in everyday life. Here, 125,000 daily commuters sustain Luxembourg’s economy, yet their stories, resilience, and contributions often remain untold. By broadening the narrative to include the French communities integral to this shared ecosystem, LIOA illuminates the human experiences of workers, families, and communities as they navigate interdependence, inequality, and the complexities of a borderless Europe. Through these stories, the project reveals not just the challenges, but also the remarkable potential of European integration—a living example of how collaboration, mutual support, and shared aspirations can bridge divides and build a stronger, more inclusive future for all.
French commuters sustain Luxembourg’s economy daily—across healthcare, finance, and trades—yet their contributions remain unseen in its narrative of success. This is more than interdependence; it is survival. Without them, Luxembourg’s social and economic foundations would crumble. Yet the benefits are uneven, leaving French towns— equally essential—marginalized, their struggles overlooked. Free movement flourishes, yet disparities in resources, recognition, and opportunity persist. In an era of European fragmentation, inequality, and climate urgency, the Minett basin serves as a critical reflection.
Access to the Minett Basin’s cross-border communities is already ensured through deep personal and professional ties. Guth’s ongoing collaboration with local and national newspapers also provides a robust network of sources and storytellers, facilitating an immersive exploration of the region’s untold narratives. This foundation of trust and connection renders the project not only feasible but deeply embedded in the lived realities of the communities it aims to document.
