Today is World Photography Day, however as a substitute of celebrating this artistic medium, I’ve truly been considering fairly deeply about my profession on this business. I like pictures, I’ve a Master’s diploma in pictures, and I do nonetheless contemplate myself a photographer by commerce – however realistically, I have not shot something on a contract or paid foundation for properly over two years.
If it weren’t for my full-time job as a tech journalist, I’m probably not positive the place I’d be proper now. In as we speak’s digital panorama, there is a sharper focus (pun absolutely meant) on the perfect iPhones for pictures, plus find out how to make the best high quality social media movies, and the perfect methods to make use of ChatGPT for generative AI. To me, it begs the query of who would need to pay for pictures (or any inventive outlet for that matter) when AI is extra reasonably priced and extra accessible.
I get requested so much as a photographer if I feel AI might ever exchange me, and the reply I give is not very black and white. In my opinion, it will depend on the style and subject material. You cannot get AI to generate your marriage ceremony images, or seize a sentimental second corresponding to your baby graduating, or maybe a liked one’s birthday.
Things like panorama pictures, macro imagery, structure pictures, or common product stills are extra generic and might all be accessed with a number of clicks, however to doc actuality, you must rent a photographer.
The drawback is that actuality is changing into more and more troublesome to outline, given how a lot of an affect AI is having on our tradition. Not to say, nearly all people is strolling round with a high-quality camera phone and industry-leading photo editing software in their pocket nowadays, and it’s hard to offer your services when people often prefer filtered selfies over professional portraiture.
When reflecting on my photography career, I like to think that my Master’s degree got me where I am today, but I don’t think that’s true at all anymore. If I were to hire a photographer myself, I don’t care one bit if they have a formal education in photo taking, so long as their images and skillset can speak for themselves.
With that said, having a Master’s degree in photography could be what helped my resumé stand out, and what consequently kickstarted my career as a staff writer for our sister site, Digital Camera World (though this technically was a journalism position and didn’t require me to take images, only a ton of product pictures).
While I do not imply to place a damper on World Photography Day, instances are getting more and more more durable for freelance photographers. Personally, I solely shoot on very uncommon events – if you happen to exclude the annual birthday shoots for my niece and nephews – however I’m fortunate to not depend on pictures as my singular supply of revenue.
It’s essential to not let pictures be “just a hobby” both, as most of the time, it implies that you are not solely freely giving your time and expertise without cost on the promise of publicity – however shoppers may also come to count on all photographers to be extra lenient with charges, when the native market is saturated with beginner photographers who will shoot for nothing (however that is an entire different matter for one more day).
I assume the purpose of this text is to specific that you simply actually do not want a background in pictures to be thought of a photographer. You simply want the drive and keenness to make a profession out of this medium in a draining digital age that appears to be combating towards you and the idea of authenticity. My recommendation? Know your price, cost in your time, but in addition shoot for your self greater than anybody else. Happy World Photography Day from a particularly burnt-out photographer.