Gatekeeping in Photography: When Passion Meets Pushback

Let’s talk about something that quietly shapes our industry in powerful, and sometimes harmful, ways: gatekeeping in photography.

At its heart, photography is about storytelling. It’s about capturing emotion, preserving fleeting moments, and offering the world a glimpse through your unique lens. And here’s the truth: the best camera will always be the one you have with you. Technical knowledge and expensive gear help, but they don’t define a great photograph. Creativity, effort, and connection do.

Yet even with the increasing accessibility of photography, thanks to smartphones, social media, and digital tools, there’s a persistent culture of gatekeeping, especially in more traditional or niche spaces like equine photography.

There’s an important distinction to make, though. Gatekeeping doesn’t mean setting professional boundaries. It’s not gatekeeping to decline unpaid work, protect your intellectual property, or offer constructive feedback when someone asks for it. Honest critique is part of growth, and not every image is above improvement. But when feedback becomes condescension—or when it’s unsolicited and delivered in a way that shames others for starting small or daring to try—that’s gatekeeping.

To be clear, I’m not talking about photographers who show up to events, shoot half the competitors, and then give the photos away for free—that’s frowned upon for good reason. You should always respect an official photographer’s time, investment, and professional standing. But if someone wants to attend a show to gain experience, practice their craft, or build a portfolio—and does so ethically and respectfully—they should be encouraged, not condemned.

Gatekeeping becomes harmful when it’s rooted in ego rather than principle, and we’ve all seen examples of it.

This isn’t about one person—it’s about industry-wide patterns. The examples I’m referencing are representative of behaviors I’ve seen echoed in forums, on social media, and at events over the years. The goal isn’t to shame individuals, but to name the dynamic so we can do better as a community.

A particularly telling example was a now-archived social media post from a local photographer. Frustrated with newcomers entering the field, the photographer referred to them as “start-up wannabees” and urged them to “break into their bank account and buy a clue,” mocking their gear choices, questioning their professionalism, and ridiculing their presumed youth and inexperience. The rant even laid claim to a venue that the photographer does not actually own, presenting it as “my venue” in an attempt to assert territorial control.

That sort of rhetoric doesn’t protect the industry—it damages it. Dismissing emerging talent because they don’t yet have business insurance or a $4,000 lens doesn’t uphold standards; it discourages growth. We all start somewhere. Every professional once struggled with settings, budget limitations, and finding their place in the industry.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated incident. In a separate instance, an individual publicly berated another member who was simply asking for guidance on pricing their services. Instead of offering support, the response was a harsh verbal attack—accusing the poster of undercutting others and “throwing everyone else under the bus.”

When established photographers use their platform to mock, exclude, or belittle those who are new or different, it creates a culture of fear. It isolates, intimidates, and silences the very people who are trying to learn and grow. Gatekeeping stifles creativity, limits diversity, and creates an elitist environment where only a select few feel welcome. It undermines community, collaboration, and the very spirit of what photography should be about.

Thankfully, the rise of digital platforms is helping shift the power dynamic. Photographers no longer need to wait for approval from the old guard—they can share their work, build a following, and create opportunities for themselves. But the attitudes that gatekeeping creates still linger—and they continue to shape how people experience the industry.

I’ve been very lucky to have had the opportunity to do practicums with two very successful equine photographers as part of my photography studies. They mentored and encouraged me when I was just starting out, and that kind of support made a lasting impact on me. It’s exactly the kind of guidance our industry needs more of, and I do my best to offer the same kind of support to those starting out.

Let’s Open the Gate

If you’re an experienced photographer, be a mentor, not a gatekeeper. Share your knowledge. Encourage growth, and remember where you started.

And if you’re just starting out—keep going. Ask questions, seek feedback, and don’t let outdated attitudes hold you back.

The photography world is big enough for all of us. Let’s build a community rooted in creativity, not competition.

Have you experienced gatekeeping—or mentorship—in your photography journey? Share your story.

Photo by Henning Kesselhut on Unsplash

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