We've officially chosen the community winners of our Nike Air Max Dn8 opportunity for upcoming photographers, and the results are finally live.
At Outlander, we’ve always believed that the most powerful creative work happens when you hand the reins to people who actually live the culture. So instead of going the typical route for this project, we flipped the script—and opened it up to the community.
We posted a brief on our socials, inviting photographers from all over to submit treatments for a chance to shoot Nike’s latest silhouette: the Air Max Dn8. The goal wasn’t to just “hire talent”—we wanted to find voices. Fresh perspective. Work that didn’t feel templated or overly polished. Just real ideas from real people.
And wow, the response was unreal.
We received so many submissions from photographers all over—from seasoned professionals to newer creatives who just had something to say. Here at Outlander, went through every single one, and after a lot of back-and-forth (and a few late-night WhatsApp debates), we landed on two standout finalists:
→ Brandon & Nthabiseng – Their concept was rooted in the idea of evolution
→ Yaya Sonyini – Her concept was rooted in the feeling of space and surrealism
Check out their socials linked above, they are truly impressive creatives.
We commissioned both teams to bring their visions to life. We covered full production costs, paid creative fees, and let them take the reins. This was about creative trust—no micromanaging, no corporate fluff. Just giving the artists the space (and resources), production company support and advice to do what they do best.
Both teams shot in New York City, directing their own productions from start to finish. From scouting locations and casting models, to building out their creative teams, they owned it - we only helped when they needed our input and expertise. Post-production? All handled by the photographers themselves. Every grade, every crop, every frame you see—it’s their vision, untouched.
And now that the final images are out, we couldn’t be more proud.
You’ll see two totally different interpretations of the Air Max Dn8—one moody and cinematic, the other raw and electric—but both grounded in authenticity. These aren’t just ads. They’re proof that when you invest in creatives and let them lead, you get work that feels honest, layered, and alive.
By Yaya Sonyini
By Brandon & Nthabiseng
This project wasn’t just about content. It was about trusting our creative community, giving them the platform and the resources to shine.
To Brandon, Nthabiseng, and Yaya—thank you for showing up and showing out. And to everyone who submitted: we see you. This is only the beginning.
Watch the full Behind The Scenes video below... it was an epic day.
