VSCO is developing into a legitimate social media platform for photographers

VSCO wants you to know that it is still very much alive, four years after the emergence of the VSCO Girl trend.

Photographers and other creators who value aesthetics continue to gravitate towards VSCO's suite of tools, which bring joy to the editing process while offering the creative control that visual artists seek. If Mayfair isn't your style, you probably know about VSCO's vast collection of film-inspired filters, which combined with the app's calming and visually-appealing design, make it a natural choice for creators who care about the look and feel of their posts. VSCO's President Eric Wittman told TechCrunch that the app provides users with the ability to be authentic, explore their creativity, connect with others, and pursue their goals.

While social media platforms are becoming more casual and chaotic, VSCO users remain meticulous in their editing process, including color balancing and A/B testing images, matching tone and vibes before posting on Instagram. Over the years, VSCO has learned that its users seek connections beyond editing, which led to the launch of Spaces last year. Collaborative galleries where photographers upload images around a theme and chat about their process.

VSCO's latest features, rolling out in mid-March, include the ability to share text-based posts in Spaces, messaging regardless of follow status, unlimited messages for paid subscribers, and the option to share auto-generated images on other platforms. The app also plans to make batch uploads easier, introduce a draft save feature for Collage and Montage, and launch eight new filters tailored for video creators.

Unlike other social media apps, VSCO encourages its users to post beyond the app and seeks to build a sense of community through its thoughtful design and limited chat features. With upcoming investments in cross-platform support and social features, VSCO aims to keep its users engaged and connected within the app.