Fashion Photographers – Under-Appreciation within the Fashion Industry
Fashion photographers are, without a doubt, some of the most underappreciated workers in the industry. As a fashion photographer, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the focus of most fashion campaigns, editorials, and covers tends to fall on the models, the celebrities, or the publication itself. While we, the photographers, craft the visual narrative – the ones capturing the very essence of the brand or the subject – we often remain in the background, our names reduced to fine print or omitted altogether. Despite the growing efforts by some artists and celebrities to credit photographers when sharing images online, it’s still not the industry standard. Many talented photographers, particularly emerging or lesser-known ones, continue to see their work published without proper recognition.
Of course, I don’t blame the average consumer for this lack of awareness. If someone isn’t deeply interested in photography or well-versed in the fashion and entertainment industries, it’s understandable that they may not actively seek out the names behind their favourite campaigns or editorials. It’s easy to admire an image for its beauty or the striking presence of the model without considering the artist behind the lens. However, as someone who has spent the last four years studying fashion photography, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the creatives whose work is often overlooked. Their vision shapes the way we perceive fashion – the mood, the emotion, the story – and yet, they rarely receive the same level of acknowledgement as the designers or models whose garments they capture.
**Original article written by me; peer-edited by the Funktasy Magazine team**