Laura J Kraft
Pro Bono Photography Services
The Science of Photography
My interest in photography in science started when I was doing a deep dive of the social science about online dating to… you guessed it – improve my own profile. As a scientist myself, I’m a strong believer in using science to improve our lives, even the memories we capture of it!
What do photos mean to us?
This is a really fantastic study that made me think deeply about photography and what it means. The researchers talk about how while photos are typically thought to be used to revisit past memories, in contrast, photos are used first to initiate future connection in online dating, are used during messaging and relationship building to develop intimacy, and only later are used to remember early moments in the relationship. Incredible, right? Makes me think deeply about the purpose of all the photography styles I practice.
How accurate are your online dating photos?
This paper from Cornell University does a deep dive on the perception of accuracy in online dating photos. It should come as no surprise to women everywhere that their photos were considered less accurate than men's. My takeaways? Don't be afraid to show your authentic self through photography services and make sure to take and use updated photos in your profile!
Concerning the Wedding Industrial Complex
It always slightly concerns me when an older paper perfectly captures what is happening today, as if nothing has changed in nearly a quarter century. This classic paper focuses on the cultural norms built within wedding photography and how individuals request wedding photos that have nearly identical posing and structure to their peers to legitimize their wedding and social status. On the more positive side, I think it is beautiful thinking of photography being as binding for modern couples as the rings they may share. Fun fact: Most couples prefer the photo album to the video footage of their wedding – the video was just a little too real for their idealized image of love and connection on their wedding day.
See also this great paper on wedding photography in Singapore. It examines the history and culture of Asian wedding photography, including how photos changed from small family studio portraits in the 1950s to destination photography outside the wedding day itself with a ritual of bridal beautification for social media sharing.
Online Image Sharing and the Profile Pic
A number of studies focus on the increasing importance of photography to our online profiles and personal marketing. With social media increasingly focusing content on photos, including larger photo sizes allowed for social media platforms including LinkedIn and Facebook, photos are an integral part of our memories, self representation, and self-expression now, more than ever.
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This brief study found that demographic background of surveyed social media users did not affect how important they perceived profile pictures on social media. Regardless of their country of residence, age, gender, or religion, surveyed participants all agreed that profile pictures, including on LinkedIn, were critical on social media platforms.
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