WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF “PHOTOGRAPH” AND WHY IS IT CHANGING?

As photographers and business owners we are constantly growing and changing our businesses. To truly understand how we need to evolved, we must begin to understand what is a photograph? Apparently the definition of the word is changing with the evolving culture and you may be surprised as to HOW we define the word “photograph” by the end of this article. So… WHAT is a photograph and WHY can it be so many different things?

Is a selfie a photograph? Is a camera phone photo a photograph? Is Instagram a compilation of photographs? More than likely the answer to these questions can be both yes and no.

The emerging culture of new adults has seen the world through the jaded glasses of the internet and social media throughout most of their life. They grew up texting and owning a cell phone and posting their every move, decisions and meal to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and more.

They don’t remember life before Starbucks and certainly not life before the internet. They feel more comfortable texting or messaging someone on Snapchat, Kik or Line than they do speaking to someone in person. THESE are the customers of tomorrow.

What do older generations say a photograph is?

If you asked your parents or grandparents, “What is a photograph?” They will very likely pull out a printed photo or canvas as they tell you a story of that photo. These photographs, they had meaning, they were investments, they offered a story and truly froze a moment in time. They were memories that you held in your hands.

To many of the older generations, photographs were an investment or a luxury that only few had. For some, school photos may be the only images they have of themselves growing up as their family could not afford a camera.

For others there may be 35mm prints or negatives. Potentially they will even show you treasured memories of previous generations in the form of tattered black and white images that they hold dear. Treasured pieces of lost loved ones. Images of service men and women as they traveled the world ensuring our country’s freedom.

Why is the definition of photograph changing?

How many times have you logged on to social media to see all your family and friends raving over these “cute”, “pretty” pictures? You sit there thinking, that is HORRIBLE! Awful lighting, poor composition, bad exposure, not a bit of art to it?

Are you a bitter old photographer? Well maybe but that is another story for another day. But this goes to prove our point. Far too many people don’t know any better. In recent years we have begun to see a flood of “pics” across all areas of life, social media, the internet etc.

The cost of cameras decreases as every smart phone now contains a digital camera with more megapixels than my first professional digital. With this flood has also come a watered down sense of what a photograph truly is.

The sad facts about photography today.

The sad fact is that most young adults, cannot tell the difference between good, better or best photography. They can barely see the difference between good and BAD photography! Many of these apps offer photo manipulation at their hands. People proudly post their “pro” photos edited on their Iphone with “filters” and they “Snap” pics with goofy flower crown and animal faces that distort the actual image to the point that you don’t even know who the person is in the photo!

All for what? For a few people to like their photo and tell them it is CUTE? Or better yet for your oh so precious “snap” to disappear in 48 hours? There is now emerging the generation that is by far, the most photographed generation in history and yet they enjoy these photographs the LEAST of any generation before them.

Is it because “pics” are a dime a dozen now? They no longer require an investment. You can snap a pic anytime you want on your cell phone and for many that is good enough. You can head to your local Walmart or Walgreens and hook you phone right into the machine and make prints? Maybe.

Is it because you show up to weddings and there are people in the crowd with equal or better gear than you have? Potentially.

Is it because we have cheapened the profession of “photographer” with digital files instead of canvases and digital galleries instead of proofs? Perhaps.

The GOOD news about photography!

This article is not meant to be a Debbie downer, “Go out and find another job because if you are a photographer you are screwed” type post. Because I don’t feel that at all. It is meant to open the eyes of anyone reading this. The definition of photograph is changing and you CAN change with it.

The best news is. The definition is totally subjective! A photograph can be anything you want to be and MEAN whatever you tell your clients it means. And THAT is okay! You can continue to make this profession your own and bring value to your art.

For whatever the reason, the definition of photograph is changing. So what are you to do about this changing profession of photographer? I think it’s time for YOU to tell us? How are YOU dealing with the changing landscape of the photograph? We would love to hear from you!

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ShootQ Migration FAQs

By Maria Eveslage • February 10, 2025

What’s Changing? The technology behind our legacy platform has reliably supported our users for many years. However, maintaining and updating this older system has become increasingly challenging, and its limitations have prevented us from delivering the best possible user experience. Therefore, we have decided to transition all users to our more modern and robust platform, which has already been successfully serving thousands of photographers for the past five years. This change is a step forward in our commitment to providing superior tools and services that meet the evolving needs of professional photographers. Why This Change Is Happening Our new platform leverages modern technology that resolves the issues encountered with the old system. It introduces powerful features designed to streamline the management of client relationships. Expect a faster, more stable, and comprehensive system to support your business growth. What is being migrated? To ensure a seamless transition, we will migrate the following items: Jobs Invoices Contacts Contracts Proposals Email Templates Contract Templates Contact Form Templates Product & Services Templates Workflow Templates What will not be migrated? Certain elements will not be carried over to the new system: Client Portals Job Notes In-Progress Workflows (workflow templates will be migrated) Payment Schedule Templates Discount Templates Tax Templates Referrals set in existing jobs Transition to the New System As the legacy system is phased out, here are steps to help you adjust: Disable Legacy Settings: To avoid confusion, disable any unnecessary settings in the legacy system, such as invoice reminders by navigating to Settings > Invoices & Payments > Invoice Settings and unchecking "Send automatic email reminders for unpaid invoices." Complete the New Setup Guide: Utilize the Setup Guide in the new system found under Settings > Onboarding Setup Guide to fully adapt to the new functionalities. Updates on Integrations We are thrilled to share some exciting enhancements that are on the horizon for our new platform. In response to feedback and the evolving needs of our community, we will be implementing integrations with QuickBooks and ProSelect in the near future. These updates are designed to streamline your financial management and client interactions, enhancing your overall workflow efficiency. Stay tuned for these valuable additions that will further empower your photography business. Multiple Brands Additionally, we are excited to announce that support for managing multiple brands is now available, providing you with the flexibility to handle various aspects of your business from a single account. These integrations and features are designed to enrich your experience by streamlining financial management and client interactions, making your workflow smoother and more efficient. Stay tuned for these exciting updates that will further empower your photography business. Further Assistance For a smoother transition, visit our YouTube Tutorial Series and consult the Getting Started Knowledge Base . Our support team is also ready to assist you every step of the way. What If I’m Not Using My Account Anymore? If your account has been inactive for more than 12 months, your account will not be migrated. If you wish to have your account migrated, you will simply need to login to your account before March 3, 2025. Final Migration Notice This migration is essential for enhancing your photography business operations. We are committed to supporting you through this transition and ensuring a smooth and effective upgrade to our new platform.

Building Better Connections: Managing Leads and Clients Effectively

By Maria Eveslage • February 3, 2025

Learn how to manage leads and clients effectively with ShootQ’s tools, designed to foster stronger connections and elevate your photography business.

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What do older generations say a photograph is?