[Photo Credit: Tomas Van Houtvyre]
Despite my strong belief that photojournalism should be a passion rather than a profession, many photographers who are passionate about photojournalism rely on their art to pay their bills. For these photographers, the economic downturn of 2005 drastically changed the way that they fulfilled assignments. Prior to the economic collapse, publications would send out photographers to pre-determined locations with a topic. The photographer was expected to return with a slew of shots that met the strict parameters set by their editors. While this process allowed photojournalists to have a steady income, they were often assigned topics that were not interesting to them.
Like most industries, the economic downturn altered the processes by which photojournalists and publications work together. Today, photojournalists work more like authors. Photographers fund their own trips, tell their own stories through photographs, and pitch the project to a publication only after it has been completed. Well-known photographers can pitch ideas to magazines for a pre-approval and are occassionally provided with a travel advance. However, the majority of photojournalists begin projects using personal funding.
Of course, news outlets still send photographers to cover events. For example, the recent tsunamis in Japan are being covered by photojournalists who have been sent out by their employers. However, a large number of independent photojournalists are getting on flights to Japan to cover the event as well. While the corporate photojournalists are required to get specific images, the independent photojournalist will be able to venture down whichever avenue they choose.
To aid photographers, websites such as Kickstarter promote the funding of independent projects. Photographers can post ideas of photoshoots, locations and stories to gain monetary support from fellow photographers and photography buffs.
Some believe that the shift has made it difficult for beginning photojournalists to find success. However, the change allows photographers to choose only what interests them. I believe that when a photographer is passionate about a subject, he is able to fully illustrate the story through powerful photography.
[Photo Credit: Sarah Elliot]
This change should provide publications with more emotional, powerful photographs of subjects that journalists are passionate about instead of a basic headshot to accompany a story.
This is so interesting! It sounds like a hard way to work, and yet, it beats the head shot dullishness. The pictures you show are so much better than headshots!