Grind City Meet 2025

A Decade of Creative Community in Memphis

Grind City Meet has become a legendary name among photographers, creatives, and urban explorers in Memphis. Over its 10-year history, Grind City Meet evolved from a small gathering of Memphis photographers into a major creative community event. It began when a handful of local photographers decided to meet up, explore the city, and take photos together—without realizing it would become a Memphis staple. As word spread, attendance grew into the hundreds, drawing creatives from all backgrounds for an afternoon of exploration, photography, and collaboration.

The event has become known for its welcoming, open atmosphere and for showcasing off-limits or lesser-known locations around Memphis, turning each meet into both an adventure and a celebration of the city’s unique character. Over the years, Grind City Meet helped foster a sense of unity among Memphis creatives, reinforcing the city’s reputation for grit, resilience, and artistic innovation. By its tenth year, the meet had become a symbol of Memphis’s creative spirit—bringing together photographers, models, performers, and supporters to create, connect, and inspire each other.

The 2025 Recap: A Rainy, Unforgettable side quest

The day began in a way that only true creatives can appreciate: with a 1:54am message from Ally Perkins, one of the driving forces behind Grind City Meet. Supported by a handful of passionate organizers, Ally’s message set the tone—meet at a side quest before the official meet up, ready to explore, shoot, and showcase Memphis in ways only photographers can.

By 10am, I found myself in a rainy parking lot, unsure of what to expect but excited for the adventure ahead. The weather didn’t dampen the energy; if anything, it added to the anticipation.

Exploring Memphis: Hidden Gems and Urban Legends

Our first stop was the imposing 300 Court Ave—a building steeped in history. Constructed in 1971 as a bank headquarters building, it served as a major office for First Tennessee Bank, which later became First Horizon Bank—a financial institution with deep roots in Memphis dating back to 1864. The building was used by the bank for decades and retained much of its original office infrastructure. After First Tennessee Bank's rebranding and changes in the banking industry, the property became available leaving behind echoes of Memphis’s economic history and a canvas for urban explorers. Walking through its grand, decaying halls, you could almost feel the weight of its past, now reclaimed by the city’s creative spirit.

Next door, we ventured into the Masonic Temple. Originally built in 1914 in the Neo-Classical style and has long been considered an architectural time capsule, filled with ornate details and grand rooms. For decades, it served as a meeting place for local Masonic lodges and was a prominent fixture in the city’s civic and social life. In recent years, the building has been repurposed—at times used as a filming location—and was sold in 2021 for $2.225 million, reflecting renewed interest in its preservation and adaptive reuse. Its five-story structure and elaborate interiors continue to make it a sought-after site for creative projects. The faded grandeur of the temple provided a dramatic backdrop for our photos, and every floor offered new surprises.

The Official Grind City Meet Up

After a quick power nap, we headed out to Memphis Made Brewing for the official meet up at 5:30pm to help set up for the evening’s festivities. As the sun set, what felt like hundreds of photographers, models, and performers poured into the Edge District. The Edge District in Memphis, once known as “Auto Row,” was a bustling center for car dealerships and repair shops during the mid-20th century. Over time, the area declined and became a blighted pocket among long-term staples like Sun Studio, but the Edge District is now a vibrant, walkable neighborhood known for its mix of old industry, new development, and a strong creative influence seen by the beautiful murals everywhere you look. It was a surreal experience to finally meet people I’d only known through Instagram—faces familiar from tiny profile pictures now animated and full of life.

The night was electric: models posed in alleyways with graffiti backdrops, fire performers lit up the dusk, screen printing Grind City Meet 2025 shirts, and everywhere you looked, people were collaborating, sharing tips, and celebrating the city’s creative pulse. The energy was infectious, a testament to what a decade of community-building can achieve.

Inspiration for Cleveland: Forest City Collective

Inspired by its tenth anniversary, Grind City Meet was more than inspiring; it was a clear call to action. In Cleveland, the concept of “community” is often mentioned but frequently feels insular or self-serving—a dynamic I aim to change. Grind City Meet demonstrated the power of generosity over gatekeeping and collaboration over competition, revealing what becomes possible when creators support each other.

Grind City Meet is the reason I started Forest City Collective in Cleveland. The goal is simple: to also cultivate a similar spirit of collaboration and creativity, bringing together photographers, artists, and other creatives who are committed to elevating each other, breaking down existing barriers, and building a truly inclusive and enduring creative community in Cleveland, one that stands in contrast to the more exclusive attitudes sometimes present.

If Memphis can foster such a community, I believe Cleveland can too.

Final Thoughts

Grind City Meet 2025 was more than an event—it was a reminder of the power of community, creativity, and shared passion. Here’s to the next decade in Memphis, and to new beginnings in Cleveland.