Vincent Laforet On The State Of Editorial Photography

New York-based, Pulitzer-winning, editorial shooter Vincent Laforet has written an epic piece on the state of editorial photography. Find it here on SportsShooter.com. I say “epic” both in terms of content and length. Anyone who earns a living with a camera (or wants to) should spend time reading Laforet’s observations and predictions.

[TIP: At 7,000+ words, I found it easier to print the article so that I could read it in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee nearby. When printed, Laforet's words spanned 12 pages.]

At 33, many shooters (myself included) think of Laforet as a young guy. Others, including most emerging photographers, see him as middle-aged in a digital world. Both camps have much to learn from his experiences as a pro photographer.

Laforet’s model of the current state of editorial photography (and the larger world of commercial photography) is insightful. Here’s a taste.

“One could legitimately ask: is the sky falling? Short answer: I don’t think so - but I do think the cloud is falling. What do I mean by the “cloud?” I’m talking about that cushy comfort zone and business model we have all become accustomed to…

“And the reason that I’m using the analogy of the “cloud” - is to point out that as frightening as some of these prospects are, clouds always obscure the blue sky above - our industry is not dying - it’s evolving - and there’s no reason to run around in a panic… many of us will survive…and many of us will be forced to work in an entirely different field.“

More about Vincent Laforet

Laforet’s innovative aerial-based photography has been celebrated worldwide. After many years as a staff photographer at The New York Times, he left the perceived security of this coveted job to work as a freelancer. Read more about Laforet over on the Canon Digital Learning Center. View a wide range of his work at his PhotoShelter archive. Laforet’s main site is here.