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An update from Your Visual Colleagues (stateofphot An update from Your Visual Colleagues (stateofphotojournalism@gmail.com) who have organized a letter to Dow Jones, rejecting its new contract for freelance photographers. Sign here: http://bit.ly/WSJresponseletterAs of this morning, 512 photographers have signed the letter. Every name adds pressure toward a resolution.WSJ leadership promised a “substantive response” last week. They missed that deadline. Their inaction suggests they are struggling to figure out how to handle a unified front.We are already seeing the financial impact of our collective action. Freelancers in different cities are banding together to say no.This has led to the WSJ flying photographers into Minneapolis to cover the recent ICE shooting. Flying photographers costs exponentially more than simply paying a fair day rate to locals. When we say “no,” it costs them more money than a fair contract would.And here’s the thing: the math don’t math.Unlike with The New York Times, where a freelancer might make $5k–$60k a year due to the higher day rate and volume of assignments, the WSJ’s assignment volume is low. For most of us, the WSJ represents only $500 to $3,000 in income per year.This gives us a unique advantage. We are not risking our livelihoods by pausing work for the WSJ. We are risking a relatively small fraction of income to fix a broken industry standard.We have the power to demand change here specifically because they don’t hold total sway over our financial survival.Reach out to Your Visual Colleagues at stateofphotojournalism@gmail.com to learn more, and share the letter with anyone who hasn’t signed: http://bit.ly/WSJresponseletter
2025 GFY! More positive posts going forward. 2025 GFY! More positive posts going forward.
Instagram post 18170146309344847 Instagram post 18170146309344847
@guiducci is the 🐐 @guiducci is the 🐐
@trippeters and ben_coppola with the assist! @trippeters and ben_coppola with the assist!
Image by Joel Sternfeld, American Prospects, McLea Image by Joel Sternfeld, American Prospects, McLean, VA 1978
🐐 🐐
NOTE: I received this from an anonymous source.B NOTE: I received this from an anonymous source.By now, many of you have received the new Freelance Photographer Contributor Agreement from Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal. While the effective date is 2026, they are asking for signatures now.After legal review and discussion, it is clear that this contract represents a significant step backward for freelancers. It introduces a “Work Made for Hire” clause and allows WSJ to sublicense our work to third parties for profit. They have said that they will increase the rate to $600, but we feel that is not given how much they gain from this contract as well as the increased demands for video and long hours.Many of us have already sent individual responses, but there is power in numbers. We have drafted a collective letter to Lucy Gilmore and WSJ leadership asking them to pause the rollout and rewrite the contract with actual freelancer input.Please read the letter below and share it widely with freelance colleagues. If you agree, please add your name to the list LINK IN BIO by midnight PST on December 23rd, 2025.We value our relationship with the WSJ, but we need to stand together to ensure it remains sustainable.
Wake up photographers Christmas came early! Wake up photographers Christmas came early!
Let’s give everyone the tools they need for a succ Let’s give everyone the tools they need for a successful 2026 🔥🔥🔥 DM me.
@suebarr promo 😍awesome 👏👏👏🌟🌟🌟🔥🔥🔥 @suebarr promo 😍awesome 👏👏👏🌟🌟🌟🔥🔥🔥
@ulikaufmann86 promo 🔥🔥🔥 super 🌟🌟🌟😍 @ulikaufmann86 promo 🔥🔥🔥 super 🌟🌟🌟😍
@ryanpavlovich promo 🌟🌟🌟 awesome 👏👏👏 @ryanpavlovich promo 🌟🌟🌟 awesome 👏👏👏
@wawawomp promo 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 @wawawomp promo 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@utagleiser_photography promo 🔥🔥🔥🌟🌟🌟excellent 😍 @utagleiser_photography promo 🔥🔥🔥🌟🌟🌟excellent 😍
@willdeshazer great promo 😍🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏 @willdeshazer great promo 😍🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏
@sitzmann promo 👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @sitzmann promo 👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@lizkuball promo 👍👍👍👍😍👏👏👏 @lizkuball promo 👍👍👍👍😍👏👏👏
@acmebrooklyn promo is always amazing 👏👏👏👏😍😍😍😍 @acmebrooklyn promo is always amazing 👏👏👏👏😍😍😍😍
@heykatrinahi promo 🔥🔥🔥 fantastic 😍😍😍 @heykatrinahi promo 🔥🔥🔥 fantastic 😍😍😍
@charlie_neuenschwander promo 🔥🔥🔥 looking good 🌟🌟🌟 @charlie_neuenschwander promo 🔥🔥🔥 looking good 🌟🌟🌟
@leonfoggitt promo 🔥🔥🔥 looks great ✨✨✨ @leonfoggitt promo 🔥🔥🔥 looks great ✨✨✨
@tadd_myers promo 🔥🔥👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️ @tadd_myers promo 🔥🔥👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️
@lisapavlova promo 👍👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟🌟 @lisapavlova promo 👍👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟🌟
@cedricterrell prom 😍😍😍 fantastic 👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥 @cedricterrell prom 😍😍😍 fantastic 👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥
@glp1979 #urbanpoetry 👏👏👏😍😍😍 @glp1979 #urbanpoetry 👏👏👏😍😍😍
@jdnphotography #slurpeewaves promo 👀👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥 @jdnphotography #slurpeewaves promo 👀👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥
@photosills_official promo super fun👏👏👏😁😁😁 @photosills_official promo super fun👏👏👏😁😁😁
@photosills_official promo 👏👏👏excellent @photosills_official promo 👏👏👏excellent
@jeffhehlen promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️cool👍👍👍 @jeffhehlen promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️cool👍👍👍
@perrettiphoto promo 👍👍👍 @perrettiphoto promo 👍👍👍
@karlherberphoto promo awesome 👏👏👏 @karlherberphoto promo awesome 👏👏👏
#frankcotham #frankcothamcartoonist @newyorkermag #frankcotham #frankcothamcartoonist @newyorkermag
Part 3 in a series on shifting perspectives by @an Part 3 in a series on shifting perspectives by @angsmithersAngie: Tell me how you first discovered photography.Oriana: I grew up in South Florida. I was 13. My dad, who as far as I’m concerned was the original geek, had gadgets everywhere. He would take apart the family computer piece by piece and put it back together again. He was always on the cutting edge of technology. He had a Wired magazine subscription that I would flip through as a kid.I was an indoor kid for a lot of reasons I didn’t understand at the time. Growing up I just thought, ‘I’m shy. I’m scared of people. I don’t like people. I like my books. I like my quiet.’ I could control the stimuli in my room. Later I was diagnosed autistic — I got that diagnosis in 2022.One day my dad knocked on my door and tossed this brick at me. It wasn’t an actual brick — it was an HP digital camera with 1.2 megapixels. He said, ‘Go outside and make some pictures.’I said, ‘No, I don’t want to go outside.’And he said, ‘You have to. Spend an hour taking pictures.’So I stayed on our block. I avoided eye contact with people, looking down at my feet the whole time. I made pictures of shadows, dew drops on the grass and flowers– just inanimate objects that I could get close to and observe. I ended up staying outside for three hours. After that first shoot I thought, ‘Wow, that was really fun.’I started carrying that brick everywhere I went. With a camera in my hand, I felt in control of how I was moving through the world. All of a sudden, I felt like talking to people.That turned into me taking AP studio art in high school. I started making photographs of my friends. I got really interested in feminism at the time and how women were being portrayed in photography and in art. I ended up submitting a self-portrait to the 2006 Scholastic Art and Writing Award. I won a national silver medal for my self portrait and then matriculated into college and I got my BA in documentary photography.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@robculpepper_ just launched this project. Looks r @robculpepper_ just launched this project. Looks really cool to me and joining is free:Over the last decade, a few dominant tech companies have carved up the internet into fiefdoms.They control who sees our work, what ads appear around it, and how we interact with the audiences we built. While we adapt our marketing to their ever-changing algorithms, our own websites languish—not because we neglect them, but because the platforms minimize links that would drive traffic to us. They capture the value we create by breaking what made the web so powerful in the first place: interconnection.Daybreak exists to help photographers be found by clients, connect with one another, and link to their own corners of the web. We believe creative work thrives when the people who make it are free to share and build an audience on their own terms.Our goal is not to lock you in but to set you free.
@loumora promo Tides 👏👏👏👏 excellent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @loumora promo Tides 👏👏👏👏 excellent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow who opened the spigot on AI slop?? Wow who opened the spigot on AI slop??
Info about the podcast I will be on with @hmphotop Info about the podcast I will be on with @hmphotoprof and @ronit_novak —THE GRAIN is a platform to talk about how artificial intelligence is impacting creative industries: a podcast featuring honest conversations with experts, a newsletter featuring observations from the field, and the insights required to adapt.
@adamstanzak promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @adamstanzak promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@davidpaulschmit promo 🔥🔥🔥 fantastic 👏👏👏 @davidpaulschmit promo 🔥🔥🔥 fantastic 👏👏👏
@ilja_hendel promo 😍 these are sublime 👏👏👏👏 @ilja_hendel promo 😍 these are sublime 👏👏👏👏
@adamjasoncohen is one of my favorite zine makers @adamjasoncohen is one of my favorite zine makers 👏👏👏👏 always stoked to get one from him
@liznemethphoto promo 🔥🔥🔥fantastic 👏👏👏 @liznemethphoto promo 🔥🔥🔥fantastic 👏👏👏
arsmithphotos.com zine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ very cool arsmithphotos.com zine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ very cool
@johnlokphoto promo 🔥🔥🔥 awesome 👍👍👍 @johnlokphoto promo 🔥🔥🔥 awesome 👍👍👍
@wizwow @p52progroup Looking great 👏👏👏👍👍👍 @wizwow @p52progroup Looking great 👏👏👏👍👍👍
This is a long running scam but since it’s popping This is a long running scam but since it’s popping up again it’s worth putting the information out there again.One variation I’ve heard is they overpay you but ask you to pay an advance to the stylist or some member of the crew who works for them.Here’s the emails:First Name: William   Last Name: Morris Phone: 208-480-5114 Email: Will.Morris.E@proton.meMessage: Hello,My name is William Morris, Creative Director contracted by The Residence 1502, Austin, TX to conceptualize a two-concept lifestyle interior photoshoot to promote one of their luxury condominium residences.Concept 1 captures the quiet elegance of everyday moments with a couple subtly engaging with the space to convey aspirational living.Concept 2 features a young family of four, highlighting the warmth, versatility, and family-friendly appeal of the same luxury setting.We aim to create 50+ final images that blend high-end architectural photography with natural, authentic lifestyle moments. We're seeking the right photographer who can balance clean, well-composed interiors with an unobtrusive, candid approach to people within the space.You can view the full project scope and creative direction here: https://app.milanote.com/1UMTsd1qNQYG4C?p=wEijF185S97.If this aligns with your style, please feel free to get in touch with any questions.Warmly, William Morris Creative Director
@holacompadres promo #proofphotomagazine 🔥🔥🔥👏⚡️⚡️⚡ @holacompadres promo #proofphotomagazine 🔥🔥🔥👏⚡️⚡️⚡️
Irony is not dead! Irony is not dead!
@schnickphoto 🔥🔥🔥awesome ⚡️⚡️⚡️ @schnickphoto 🔥🔥🔥awesome ⚡️⚡️⚡️
@karlherberphoto promo 👏👏👏 excellent 😍😍😍 @karlherberphoto promo 👏👏👏 excellent 😍😍😍
Let us know how you respond that gets you the best Let us know how you respond that gets you the best outcome.
Have you seen these? Opening the discussion here t Have you seen these? Opening the discussion here to try and see what is going on. DM me if you want to post anonymously.
@noho_productions 30th anniversary book 😍😍😍 out of @noho_productions 30th anniversary book 😍😍😍 out of this world 🔥🔥🔥🔥 stunning work 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
@matthewpaskert promo 🔥🔥🔥 awesome 👏👏👏👏 @matthewpaskert promo 🔥🔥🔥 awesome 👏👏👏👏
Pricing & Negotiating: Estimate Review Of An Emplo Pricing & Negotiating: Estimate Review Of An Employee Lifestyle Library For Global Beauty BrandBy @andrewsouders @wonderfulmachineIn addition to helping photographers build price quotes from scratch, Wonderful Machine offers an Estimate Review service on existing quotes that photographers have created themselves. It’s often helpful to have an extra set of eyes and credible insight to polish up your price quote before sending it off to a client.Just as with our other Pricing & Negotiating case studies, we redact the names of the photographer and client, which allows us to share valuable and educational information that would otherwise be confidential.Concept: Two-day employee portraiture and lifestyle library shoot for social, internal, and recruitment materialsLicensing: Perpetual worldwide Web Advertising, Publicity, and Collateral use of up to 100 imagesPhotographer: West Coast-based lifestyle and portrait photographerClient: International beauty and personal care brandA West Coast-based photographer was recently approached by a global beauty brand to capture candid and environmental portraits and lifestyle images of employees over two shoot days. The 100 final images would be used across a broad range of platforms — including career websites, social media, digital ads, internal presentations, publicity, and print collateral like career fair flyers.While the scope of the project resembled other projects this photographer had worked on in the past with other clients, this project was for a more high-profile client with greater licensing needs and a bigger budget. The photographer asked us to help refine their estimate and determine appropriate creative and licensing fees commensurate with the project’s scale and client expectations.Scope & Usage The project called for two shoot days. The first would take place at a local retail location before business hours as a shortened half-day, while the second was planned as a full day at the brand’s nearby corporate offices. The client would handle casting, scheduling, styling, and shot list development.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@colinthemshots Chaos & Confusion with @thebloodyb @colinthemshots Chaos & Confusion with @thebloodybeetrootsofficial ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@godfreysdogpack @lisajeangodfrey promo calendar. @godfreysdogpack @lisajeangodfrey promo calendar. So cute 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@clarissabonet promo 😍😍😍 fantastic 👏👏👏 @clarissabonet promo 😍😍😍 fantastic 👏👏👏
@rosserlebeau promo great work 🔥🔥🔥🔥⭐️⭐️✨✨ @rosserlebeau promo great work 🔥🔥🔥🔥⭐️⭐️✨✨
@layne_kennedy #beyondthelight book is fantastic. @layne_kennedy #beyondthelight book is fantastic. Love reading the stories behind these classic images. 👏👏👏👏
Visit @artistmanagementassociation to sign the pet Visit @artistmanagementassociation to sign the petition. Please like and share.
@christiantisdale promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ awesome project 👏👏👏 @christiantisdale promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ awesome project 👏👏👏
@louisehagger promo 😍 love your work 👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥 @louisehagger promo 😍 love your work 👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥
@beyond_creative_mgmt talented peeps 🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍👏👏👏 @beyond_creative_mgmt talented peeps 🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍👏👏👏
@janellejonessss promo 👏👏👏👏awesome 🔥🔥🔥🔥 @janellejonessss promo 👏👏👏👏awesome 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@mrkdggn promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👏👏👏👏👏👏 @mrkdggn promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👏👏👏👏👏👏
@terrygrahamphoto promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️ awesome 👏👏👏 @terrygrahamphoto promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️ awesome 👏👏👏
@alisonconklin #bonusdays magazine 😍 beautiful wor @alisonconklin #bonusdays magazine 😍 beautiful work ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The State of the Photography Industry survey has b The State of the Photography Industry survey has been developed with multiple types of professional practice in mind. Swipe to see the types of questions and areas of inquiry that have been included.Survey closes June 15th.Click the link in the bio or copy:https://sheridan.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Gg84phjX7BAqLs Share in your networks! More participation = more information.#photobusiness #photographypricing
David Burnett talks about “The Stringer” and what David Burnett talks about “The Stringer” and what he saw in Trang Bang when Nick Ut took the famous “Napalm Girl” image.For those who haven’t been following the major rift in the world of photojournalism a quick summary of what is going on: A film called “The Stringer” directed by Bao Nguyen (previously directed The Greatest Night In Pop) and produced/starring Gary Knight (VII Agency co-founder and ED) premiered at The Sundance Film Festival on January 25 claiming and attempting to prove that 53 years ago Nguyễn Thành Nghệ actually took “The Terror of War”  (AKA Napalm Girl) image and not Nick Ut. AP photo editor Carl Robinson claims his boss, Horst Fass, told him to switch the credit from Nguyễn, a stringer, to Nick, an AP photographer. The filmmakers find Nguyễn, and he says, yes, he took the picture.Prior to the film’s premiere, the AP released a preliminary report disputing the claims of the film. At the premiere, the AP watched the film and followed up (May 16) with a 100-page report saying that there’s not enough evidence to remove Nick Ut’s credit. Then, on May 16, World Press Photo released a statement saying they investigated (David disputes the characterization that they investigated and rather they simply got a private screening of the film and agreed with the conclusion) and are suspending Nick Ut’s credit on his 1973 Photo of the Year award. This sparked outrage on social media with posts from what appears to me to be the VII camp (Ashley Gilbertson, Ed Kashi, Sara Terry) and the Nick Ut camp (David Burnett, Pete Souza, David Kennerly).And the real zinger in the whole dust-up is that David Burnett was there! He’s an eyewitness to the events at Trang Bang, where the famous image was made. Ok, one final note: besides the premiere at Sundance and private screenings, the film cannot be watched until a distributor is lined up. I’m aware of a screening in DC next month, but most people, including David and myself, have not seen the film. I talked with David over the phone, and here’s a condensed and edited version of our conversation.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
@brianlowe_ promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️love it 😍😍👏👏👏👏 @brianlowe_ promo ⚡️⚡️⚡️love it 😍😍👏👏👏👏
This is an excerpt from The Photo Hustle by Karen This is an excerpt from The Photo Hustle by Karen Williams Buy your copy here: https://store.mangopublishinggroup.com/products/the-photo-hustle-1If you picked up this book, I’m betting you love photography enough to pursue a career in it, but you have no idea where to start. That’s where I come in. I want to be the resource and mentor I never had, so you don’t have to learn the hard way. I’ll be sharing the insider secrets of the photography industry that they don’t teach you in school. Because combining your passion for photography with a career can get a little messy. Being a great photographer is only half the battle. To thrive in this industry, you need to be a savvy entrepreneur, too. And that’s why I took it upon myself to fill in this much-needed gap. Instead of hoping things will change, it’s time we take control of our careers—and I’m here to help you do just that. This book will equip you with everything you need to know for a successful photography career. But you have to show up and put in the work.The photo hustle is real. These days, it’s not enough to have talent. You have to know the industry—and it’s a tough one to break into. Most photography schools and workshops don’t teach you how to run a successful business. Rather, they focus on the latest gear and techniques. They’ll teach you about posing, directing clients, composition, and lighting. They’ll show you all the pretty editing tricks and how to set up a shot.But actual business skills? That stuff rarely gets taught in the photography world. Marketing and branding? Not in most curricula. Sales and pricing strategies? I don’t think so. Client experience and retention? Doubtful. Financial planning and management? I’m not seeing it. Most photographers are expected to figure it out on their own, often through trial and error. But in reality, most photographers were never prepared for the “photo hustle” that exists on the flip side of their passion… I know I wasn’t.CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS
The state of the photo industry survey is live and The state of the photo industry survey is live and needs your contribution! Follow the link in bio. Open to all professional photographers.Survey will close early June.
@tednghiem promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @tednghiem promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@jessechaconphoto promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ awesome work ⚡️⚡️⚡️ @jessechaconphoto promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ awesome work ⚡️⚡️⚡️💪💪💪
@ashleyseryn promo 👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️⚡️⚡️💪💪💪 @ashleyseryn promo 👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️⚡️⚡️💪💪💪
@_coreyandemily_ promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️awesome 🐝🐝🐝 @_coreyandemily_ promo ⭐️⭐️⭐️awesome 🐝🐝🐝
@caitiemccabephoto promo #girlhood is pretty epic @caitiemccabephoto promo #girlhood is pretty epic 👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@davidwilsonburnham promo 🤜⚡️⚡️⚡️🤛 @davidwilsonburnham promo 🤜⚡️⚡️⚡️🤛
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A Photo Editor (APE) is edited by Rob Haggart, the former Director of Photography for Men's Journal and Outside Magazine. Contributors include fine art photographer Jonathan Blaustein (@jblauphoto), Creative Director Heidi Volpe, photography consultant Suzanne Sease and Producers at Wonderful Machine.

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