DEI Photographers Are Shaping Inclusive Perspectives in the Industry
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) photographers have a specific purpose behind their images. They pay attention to things that might offend segments of the population or recognize areas where companies aren’t being inclusive. With more awareness of inclusion involving businesses, it pays to work or consult with someone trained in DEI perspectives.
DEI photographers also pay attention to social issues that might impact a commercial business or its portfolio. They find purpose in changing how society sees a problem by raising awareness or capturing crucial historical moments and trending topics. Here are some ways they’re shaping things today. Cover photo by Clay Banks.
1. Breaking Stereotypes
Gender bias affects most of the world’s population. The Gender Social Norms Index found 90% of men hold biases against women and their abilities. The global survey found some countries’ citizens are more prejudiced than others.
DEI photographers can break those stereotypes by being aware of images showing only young males taking math and science courses. Young females should also be included to show youth they can study anything and do well.
Commercial photographers should be inclusive when taking pictures of company managers. Portrait professionals should expand their services and offer sessions to all types of people, couples and families.
2. Creating Enticing Photos
Photographers have an opportunity to create art that gets people talking. Don’t be afraid to try something that’s never been done. If you think it’s beautiful and your subject is up for the potential criticism the image might invoke, release something controversial to the world.
You may get some negative comments, but you’ll start a discussion. A DEI photographer’s job isn’t to judge those who might hate the photo. Their job is to include as many viewpoints as possible and show people’s human side.
3. Capturing the Spirit of an Organization
The best DEI photographers take the time to learn what they’re photographing. For example, if a company has a mentorship program that embraces diversity, such as pairing a young worker with an older one or people of different cultures, ask what the purpose is. What do they hope to accomplish?
Then, ask for success stories and photograph the mentor and mentee to highlight how diversity training works for one company. The captured moment should encourage other brands to follow suit.
An effective reverse mentorship program focusing on LGBTQ+ pairs employees with leaders and teaches them about issues important to the community and how to be respectful. The photographer’s image speaks of friendship and mutual respect, with two people sitting back-to-back in comfortable poses with happy smiles.
4. Balancing Commercial Needs
At the same time you aren’t afraid to elicit a bit of controversy, be sensitive to the needs of your commercial clients. For example, if you shoot images for Instagram of a local bank, many of their clients may be from an older generation. It might be best to introduce potentially controversial pictures gently or avoid them until the timing is right.
Always consult with your client about what they’re comfortable with. Some will hire a DEI photographer to break out of old patterns and others don’t want to draw criticism or rock the boat. Other companies want include demographics they may have missed in the past.
Communication with the business owner is key to a successful inclusive photo shoot. Remember that while you’re competing for attention with 147,300 photographers in the United States, not all of them will specialize in diversity. Develop your knowledge in your niche and you’ll soon become the go-to expert.
5. Recognizing Tokenism
Tokenism means you select a single photo to make things look diverse when they aren’t. Companies may not have people from different cultures living nearby in some areas. Some rural communities are mostly white, without many minorities in the vicinity or willing to travel a great distance to work.
Photographers can encourage their clients to hire remotely and fly those workers in for a weekend retreat and include them in company events and images. Even in areas without much diversity in citizenship, there are ways to reach people from all walks of life and with different viewpoints, ages, races and social beliefs.
6. Including a Mix of People
Perceptive DEI photographers notice whether there is a mix of people in photos and work to include a variety of workers or photo subjects for images released by the brand. They focus on skin color, culture and age.
The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging states that many retirees are returning to the workforce. They point to over-55 workers doubling in the last decade and predict 25% of all employed persons being senior citizens by 2028.
If the images of your brand are all young, 20-somethings fresh out of college, does it really represent the full scope of who keeps things running behind the scenes? Using limited photos may make some people feel uncomfortable applying for a position in the first place. You could miss out on some of the most talented employees in the field by utilizing pictures without diversity.
DEI in Photography Changes the World
Powerful photos have changed people’s perspectives for centuries. No one will ever forget the image of the child running, screaming, crying and half-naked from the first nuclear bomb, the woman and her children starving in the middle of the Great Depression or the first responders hoisting a flag after 9/11.
How might your images change how people view the world for the better? Understand the importance of DEI in the visuals you release — there’s no telling how they might change someone’s thinking.
