Commercial Photography, As Diverse As The World We Live In

Photography is an American passion and a billion dollar industry. There are professional photographers and weekend photographers, working with film photography and /or digital photography. There are many photographic styles but one of the most fascinating in the world of commercial photography. There are many different categories of commercial photography; advertising, fashion and glamour, editorial photographs, photojournalism, portrait and wedding photography, fine art photography.

Exploring Terms of Commercial Photography

Advertising photography is the use of photographs to illustrate a product, service or desired illusion the seller is trying to portray. The images are generally commissioned by an advertising agency, design firm or handled by an in-house photographic team that works on the corporate payroll.

In fashion and glamour photography, the use of models is generally done to sell products, services or ideas to the general public. The image of the model is essential to the concept of the sales pitch so many are scantily clad or dressed in a thematic concept that helps to promote the sales pitch.

Editorial photographs are used to illustrate and support a story or an idea that is being explained, highlighted or supported within the context of a written publication. Generally the photographic assignments are assigned separately from the written story, however, that isn’t always the case.

Photojournalism is often considered an adjoining concept to the editorial photography classification as these types of photos are given the benefit of being considered honest and representative of the truth. Often times a photojournalistic magazine spread are done to present the “real” story that might elude the evening news and general newspapers. This is often considered a reputable photo shoot about its competitors.

Portrait and Wedding photographs are done by commission only in, a retail setting, delivered to the client at the end of the contract timeline. This is a commercial business but in no way are these pictures given the same attention in a commercial setting as an editorial photograph.

Fine Art photography is the commission or creation of an art piece through the media of photography. Generally these pieces are sold directly to the end buyer or to a gallery owner for resale later. However, it has only been in the recent years that photography has taken its place on the walls of art galleries as an acceptable member of the art world. Some still argue that the photographic image is the result of a mechanical process and not an artistic one.

No Matter How You Classify It, They Isn’t a Substitute for the Still Photo

The world of commercial photography is as complex as it is colorful. The parameters of what is and what isn’t acceptable, changes as fast as the technology it is immersed within. There is no doubt that the beauty of a sunset in a still photo can be breathtaking. As they say in Jamaica, there is no replacement for a Jamaican sunset, except for a still photo of the one you watched on the last night you were there.