Wikipedia, a widely-used online encyclopedia, faces scrutiny over the quality of its celebrity photographs, many of which are outdated or unflattering. Given that professional photographers typically retain copyright over their images, Wikipedia's reliance on volunteers has resulted in a plethora of subpar visual content. Some amusing examples have even inspired Instagram accounts dedicated to showcasing these less-than-stellar images.
In response to this visual dilemma, a group of enthusiasts has launched WikiPortraits, an initiative designed to recruit amateur photographers who can gain access to high-profile events like film festivals and conferences for fresh, accredited images. Co-founder Kevin Payravi explained that many Wikipedia editors have recognized the importance of modern, high-quality visuals for notable people. "For the longest time, Wikipedia has had a problem with missing or low-quality images of celebrities," he remarked.
As fervent supporters of this mission, Payravi and fellow founder Jennifer Lee participated in the SXSW festival, providing a photo booth to capture contemporary portraits. Lee emphasized the communal drive behind the project, saying, "Some individuals are genuinely upset by the bad photographs on Wikipedia and want to help rectify the situation."
Wikipedia's strict requirements for image submissions necessitate that all uploaded photos be either original work or available in the public domain. Consequently, many current images come from enthusiastic contributors rather than professional sources. While this leads to an abundance of lackluster photographs, it sometimes leads to even worse visuals. For instance, comedian Emil Wakim's previous Wikipedia image was so criticized that an editor noted, "having no picture is better than what's currently there."
First launched in early 2024, WikiPortraits has amassed a network of 55 volunteer photographers, primarily located in the U.S. yet spanning the globe. These volunteers comprise Wikipedia fans, amateur photographers, and professionals eager to enhance their portfolios. Bryan Berlin, a New York-based high school photography teacher and stand-up comedian, has lent his expertise to the project while attending various events such as Sundance and the New York Film Festival, capturing images of notable figures like Kieran Culkin and Mikey Madison.
Berlin believes that sourcing better photographs enhances the quality of information available to Wikipedia users. Despite the lack of payment, he finds personal growth in participating in red carpet events. One of his memorable moments involved photographing "Lord of the Rings" star Elijah Wood, who expressed encouragement for WikiPortraits' mission.
Events like the Edinburgh Festival, Cannes, and the Nobel Prize ceremonies have all seen participation from the project, which claims its images receive a staggering 100 million views monthly. Additionally, WikiPortraits prides itself on uplifting underrepresented filmmakers and individuals who previously had no photographic representation on Wikipedia.
Photographer Frank Sun, also based in New York, shares his excitement about his work with WikiPortraits. With a background in cinematography, Sun has photographed people including Florence Pugh and Ben Stiller, and recounted a positive encounter with actress Laetitia Dosch, who was eager to update her outdated photo.
Looking ahead, WikiPortraits aims to expand its network of photographers to capture local events worldwide. While the project's current focus is on still photography, plans do not include video coverage. Co-founder Jennifer Lee dreams of obtaining credentials for significant events like the Met Gala and the Oscars to further elevate the quality of celebrity representations on Wikipedia.
