Sustainable Photography Practices
24 Ways to Minimize Your Environmental Impact as a Photographer
Image by Simon Hird
Edited with Quest 01 Diffusion
As photographers, we are in a unique position— we not only occupy the natural world, we also document it and have the experience of watching the world change through our lens. Sometimes, the change is steady: trees growing from saplings into a mighty forest. Sometimes, the change is disconcertingly rapid: glaciers melting before our very eyes (and in our photos). We have a responsibility as individuals to protect our environment wherever we can— the difference might be slight for one human, but if we all contribute and act, the difference multiplies.
We’ve rounded up a list of 24 practical tips and ideas to help you minimize your environmental impact as a photographer!
GEAR
1. Opt for Durable Equipment that will last longer and be less likely to break and be replaced
2. Buy used or refurbished gear, reducing the demand for newly manufactured products that produce extra waste
Image by Wertán Botond
Edited with Quest 02 Incandescent
Image by Zoë Mackenzie
Edited with Quest 25 Fable
Energy
3. Use rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries, reducing waste and reducing energy consumption
4. Unplug your chargers when your batteries are fully charged and they aren’t being used
5. Turn off your gear (camera, lights, etc) when not in use to conserve power
WASTE
6. Embrace a fully digital workflow to minimize wasted paper or chemicals (for film development and printing)
7. Recycle old electronics and batteries
8. Repurpose or donate gear you no longer need
Image by Aleksandra Kubik
Edited with Quest 36 Botanica
PRINTING & Packaging
9. Use eco-friendly inks and paper made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials
10. Work with local printers to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping prints long distances
11. Use print-on-demand services to reduce overproduction and waste. Fun Fact: Archipelago’s Swag Shop is entirely print-on-demand, so we aren’t creating unwanted waste products in the name of swag!
12. Use eco-friendly, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging materials when delivering any products to clients
13. Minimize packaging where possible and only use what is necessary if you have to ship your products
Image by Liebenfoto
Edited with Quest 22 Glacial
Travel
14. Plan efficiently and combine multiple photoshoots into one trip, saving gas and emissions
15. Use public transportation, carpool, or bike to locations instead of driving alone to reduce carbon emissions
16. Offset your carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets when travel is unavoidable
Image by Justin Cook
Edited with Quest 25 Fable
Image by Valeria Duque
Edited with Quest 08 Nomad SE
Studio
17. Use energy-efficient LED lighting in your studio to reduce electricity use
18. Recycle or Upcycle props to reduce waste
19. Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies when cleaning your studio space
EDUCATE, ENGAGE, ADVOCATE
20. Educate clients and fellow photographers about sustainable practices to maximize the impact
21. Engage in environmental causes by donating to organizations
22. Participate in conservation projects
23. Raise awareness using your photography to highlight environmental issues and promote sustainability
24. Use your platform to advocate for environmental responsibility within the photo community
How do you make a difference in our natural world, either personally or professionally? Tell us in the comments!