Photography is important for a vast number of reasons, including historical purposes, freezing time, documenting conditions, showing what exactly was happening in that moment forever in time and space, and then there is artistry.

There are many different ways that people can perceive art. Some look at an abstract image and see nothing but color and lines; others look at the same image and see objects appear before their eyes, with different patterns appearing as the eyes scan the piece.

Preservation

People have always been taking photos of important historical and social events.

One of the many benefits of albums and prints is their ability to be passed down from generation to generation, preserving your family’s history and enabling your children and grandchildren to connect with their heritage. The tangible nature of printed photographs also offers a unique visual appeal that cannot be fully replicated on digital screens, making physical media reign supreme.

Entertainment

There are many different types of photography: portrait, landscape, macro, low light, time lapse, and long exposure. Astrophotography, architecture—the list goes on and on.

The most popular form of sharing photos is typically in a collection, or “gallery.”.

Art galleries attract millions of people a year, supporting local art and their work. This number has continued to decline since the global pandemic that was COVID-19.

Art has existed as a crucial component of society and global culture. As early as ancient times, art forms such as sculpting, painting, drawing, and etching have persisted and evolved into a myriad of unique styles.

Aspiring photographers

As someone also working in the field, I HIGHLY recommend entering into a local photography competition, as this challenges you and enables more exposure!

Creativity

Photography is a form of self-expression with endless possibilities that are unique, different, and tell a story. For some people, it’s therapeutic; for others, it’s the only way to release feelings, opinions, anger, or even happiness.

It allows you to see the small things and craft an image that forces you to think about all the different perspectives that create a great image. With different techniques and styles for framing, lighting, and subject, there are endless possibilities to tell a story.

Financial Gain

Images are valuable commodities. A carefully crafted image of a celebrity, both relatable and larger-than-life, can boost ticket sales, TV ratings, endorsement deals, and even weigh influence in cultural and political spheres.

Being a good photographer and honing in on your skills will open up a wide array of opportunities. Typically,  larger agencies are looking for photojournalism experience with other newspapers or magazines and have highly specialized skills in areas such as wildlife, underwater, landscape, portraits, cultural, geopolitics, and more.

Imagine working for a company that allows you to travel the world and take photographs of once-in-a lifetime moments.

Original Photo

Culture and Education

Diversity and education go hand-in-hand  Photography allows people to see the world as other people would see it. There is no second language; everyone feels emotions in the same language, and sharing that with people from around the world or even people 20 miles away, whether that be for food, religion, or heritage ceremonies, capturing the moment in time and telling the world how life is lived during a time period is important.

Kansas dust bowl via local newspaper

Thank you for reading, and happy leap day!