What Motivates Photojournalists?

Photo by Lynn Johnson

Image Source: http://www.lynnjohnsonphoto.com/ngm-water-warriors/

Motivation can be described as why a person does something. It pushes people to complete tasks and without it, not a lot would get done. There are many things that motivate a photojournalist to take photographs. The photojournalist might be motivated by money. Another possibility is to be motivated by being published. One photojournalist, Lynn Johnson, explains that her motivation is revolved around being a female in a male dominated profession. In the video titled Lynn Johnson Women in Photojournalism, Johnson explains, “documenting womens issues feels like a responsibility as a woman photographer”. From this video, it is easy to see where Lynn Johnson gets her motivation and inspiration. Women photojournalists have faced serious scrutiny from male photojournalists and others throughout history. Johnson takes this disadvantage and uses it to portray the issues that women face around the world today.

Photo by Randy Olson

Image Source: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-lynn-johnson/

Another photojournalist, Alex Webb, explains that motivation cannot revolve around the ability to earn a large salary from the images that are published. In an article posted on erickimphotography.com, Alex Webb states, "Photograph because you love doing it, because you absolutely have to do it, because the chief reward is going to be the process of doing it". The motivation to photograph should come from a passion deep within the person. Money and fame are not guaranteed to last a lifetime. A photograph is able to spark change in its viewer. If a photojournalist is able to focus on the passion and not the money or other accolades, there can be serious social reform to come of it. Ed Kashi explains advocacy journalism and its impact that it can have in an article titled, Ed Kashi and the Importance of Advocacy Journalism. This article shed light on the motivation of Ed Kashi. A photograph can inspire people and influence them, but do all of them actually create change? Ed Kashi states that he aims for his photography to, "inform viewers but also inspire them to find activist solutions to social problems". Kashi wants to see change created from his photography. His motivation does not come from money or accolades, but the ability to create social change. 

Photo by Alex Webb

Image Source: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2011/09/26/35-magnum-photographers-give-their-advice-to-aspiring-photographers/

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://www.ideastap.com/ideasmag/the-knowledge/alex-webb-on-shooting-abroad

One photojournalist documents the change in motivation and inspiration that occurred throughout her career. In the beginning of any career, it is easy to get caught up in the idea of increasing your salary. Also, if you are at the beginning of your photography career, you want to build your portfolio. A person might lose touch with what their original motivation was for taking photographs if they are simply trying to build their portfolio. Esther Havens is a photographer that focuses on the humanitarian side of the profession. In an article on dutiee.com, Havens explains that, " I was excited about the photo I took and how great it would look in my portfolio, I didn’t pay much attention to the child’s misery. I felt something terribly wrong about my attitude". This quote perfectly explains the problem that many photojournalists can face early in their career. However, this form of motivation can work for some photojournalists. Havens motivation switched. She focused more on the story's of individuals. Rather than just taking the picture to add to her portfolio, she wanted to know more about the person she was photographing. Similar to Havens, photographer Felix Masi is motivated by being able to tell other peoples stories and the struggles that other people were going through. In an interview video titled Kenyan Photojournalist, Masi states that, "I could see pain through my lens but then I could see hope through these people". Masi believed that he was helping people gain a voice and get their stories out through the photographs. In this sense, I believe that Havens and Masi have similar motivation. 

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://john.do/charity-water/

Photo by Esther Havens

Image Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/479703797780939095/

There are many things that motivate me. My motivation stems from my family, money, happiness, and leaving an impact. I strive to make my family proud. I am finishing up my junior year in college and hope to attend law school after graduating. Education is extremely important in my family. My mother expected us to go to college and get our degrees because she did not do the same as soon as she should have. Another thing that motivates me is money. I am attending college to gain an education and help me secure a career. A college education allows a person to find a job that has a good salary. However, I do not think that money is one of my main motivators. Some photojournalists might strictly be motivated by money. However, others might focus more on leaving and impact and helping others. I outlined these two motivational factors on my motivation map. I think that they are very important in life. Some photojournalists seek to leave an impact with their photography and give voices to those who cannot be heard. 

Photo by Lyndsey Letourneau