We Asked People What They’d Change About the Photo Industry in 2023.
Their Answers Are Inspiring.
In 2021, multiple camera brands faced backlash after announcing ambassador lineups that were largely composed of white, cisgender men. Three brands all made public promises to support a more diverse roster of photographers. In many cases, it was the photographers themselves who pushed for these changes. In one case, an ambassador dropped out after realizing that there were no women in the lineup. In another, a photographer started a campaign and shared the names of women photographers who would be great ambassadors.
Over the three years alone, the photography industry has undergone and much overdue reckoning over how it operates, and changes have been made toward a more inclusive future. But we still have a long way to go. When we asked photo editors and gallerists about the hope they had for 2023, about 50% told us they wanted to see more significant strides toward equality throughout the industry. The other half shared concrete goals that would help fascinate a more inclusive future, including environmental sustainability, better language choices (changes to the way we talk about photography), and more thoughtful conversations.