The New Modern - Redeveloping The Photography Industry with Stephen Uhraney

[All images included in this article were photographed by Stephen Uhraney]

In conversation with professional photographer Stephen Uhraney about redeveloping the photography industry in the new modern world.

1. Which one aspect of the photography industry will see the longest-lasting repercussions of the global health pandemic?
I think unfortunately that a lot of photographers will lose their jobs because of this. Smaller publications will shutter their doors and close shop. As you know Jay, publications were already struggling before this happened, ad revenues were drying up. After this is over and we begin to live the “new normal” (I hate that phrase), lots of businesses that did advertise will be gone.
No advertisers, no publications, no jobs.

2. What changes have you observed in the photography world since this started?
I think a lot of photographers are looking inward, where they live, home, community.
It’s a new perspective and one that I personally think was a long time coming.

“I wanted to document my small part of the world, Port Credit.I walk the same route everyday from my place to the lighthouse and back. ”

3. Have there been any constants in the photography world during the pandemic?
Photographers are still shooting and documenting. A photographer, is a photographer, is a photographer. It’s something we have to do, it’s in our nature to be curious and look at what is happening.
My favourite phrase is the Life Magazine Motto...“To look behind walls, to see LIFE”
I actually have a tattoo of that!

May 7th 2020, Port Credit Fuji X-T3 Fujinon 16mm f2.8 RWR

4. You've been documenting the pandemic through photographs - what's been your motivation to continuously do this?
I guess the answer is in question #2. I wanted to document my small part of the world, Port Credit.
I walk the same route everyday from my place to the lighthouse and back. Some days I get quite a few images, and other days I get just one and then stop. That’s usually a pic that can’t be topped if I was to continue. An example would be one I just posted on the 7th, the “fuck you covid” image which was spray panted on the sidewalk near Stavebank. I waited there for someone to walk into the frame. I knew I wouldn’t get a better image that day. I still walk but the camera is just a companion at that point.

“There will be a reckoning, people are seeing that it doesn’t have to be the same as it was before. It’s an action, a process of calculating a new way to live.”

5. You've always been creative and recently, you've increased your amount of published content.
Was that something you'd already planned, or did COVID-19 prompt additional creativity?
As you know Jay, the publishing business is a fickle friend, sometimes they are there for you and other times they ain’t. I started increasing my on line presence early in January, I have actually sold a few images from my Instagram account. I still have clients and I still do magazine work and commissioned projects. So no, covid wasn’t the reason why, it’s something that I was already doing thankfully.

6. Many photographers double as their own marketing/advertising company. In addition to what you had already done for self promotion, what other skills have you had to learn during this adapting phase?
I have always been my own manager, agent, bookeeper, booking agent and invoice chaser. This is nothing new to me. I couldn’t imagine having to start learning all that now. The thing I guess I’ve learned along with a lot of other  people is that I have a pretty high tolerance for alcohol...LOL

7. How have you specifically been impacted by this?
I had nine magazine shoots set up for the month of March, all of them were cancelled. There is no work at all. I suppose if I was working for a paper I’d be fine, however, magazine work is a different animal.

8. What plans did you have for 2020 that probably will be delayed/cancelled?
I was planning to head to Cuba, my favourite place on earth. I have been quite a few times documenting life there. I stay in Old Havana (no resorts). I bring my film cameras and boxes of film and just wander and shoot. I have had some great experiences there. Everything from being invited into peoples homes for dinner and even attending a Voodoo Wedding. Once things open up I will make plans for a long visit.

“I grew up in the days of Life Magazine, and when newspapers only ran B&W images, for me it’s how I see.”

9. With people being home and discovering new ways to be creative, will this pandemic give way to a new generation of photographers?
Photographers, painters, sculptors, musicians, artists of all stripes. There will be a reckoning, people are seeing that it doesn’t have to be the same as it was before. It’s an action, a process of calculating a new way to live. This is the big re-adjustment, a long time coming.

10. With the huge influx of virtual "everything’s" (music/teaching/meetings/etc.) how will you keep and grow your digital audience?
Not just digital but over all. I have created a new website, Instagram and Facebook of course, I’m always posting new content. In the fall I will be teaching a Street Photography course at the Small Arms Creative Hub 1352. Also, just before this dastardly thing hit, I was and still will be working on a gallery show involving an aspect of Port Credit. A few grants were already secured, so I will start that up again when I am able to freely move around. Also, these pandemic pics will probably work themselves into a book.

11. What's helped keep you grounded from a personal standpoint?
My daughter...full stop.

12. What positives can come out of this for the photography industry?
Hopefully a more caring perspective, a new way of seeing, looking inward.
There is a quote I heard once:
“Never doubt that a small group of committed photographers can change the world with one great photograph” Maybe that’s being naive, but it’s a nice thought.

13. Why have you chosen black and white for your COVID-19 photographs opposed to colour?
In my opinion, and it’s just that. Black and White lays bare the scene. Colour would be another subject in the shot for you to have to get past. I love black and white (another tattoo). I grew up in the days of Life Magazine, and when newspapers only ran B&W images, for me it’s how I see. When I look through the view finder I actually see in black and white.

14. You've covered a plethora of well-attended events in your career - do you think there will still be these types of events with several people attending in the future?
It’s going to be a whole new world and the way we navigate it. I’m not sure how this will all play out, but it will be different. Probably things won’t return to normal until there is a vaccine.

15. With many of us having been at home for the past several weeks, many of us have learned/enhanced our digital skills. Will there be an influx of tech-savvy photographers/videographers in the new world?
I think it was already that way. Absolutely, people do have time on their hands so they will probably take this opportunity to improve their skills. No, I don’t think more people will be taking photos, that was already the case, everyone takes pictures now...that doesn’t mean you’re a photographer.

Stephen Uhraney has worked as a documentary, editorial, corporate and music photographer. He’s worked with The Toronto Sun, Rogers Publishing, Annex-Newcom Business Media, the University of Toronto, the City of Mississauga, Torstar/Metroland Media and many corporate clients.
With 40 years of experience, all self employed. he’s based in the Greater Toronto Area, and is available for freelance or contract work.
Visit his website here.