**Amateur Photographers Aim to Revamp Wikipedia's Outdated Celebrity Photos**

**Photographers involved are motivated by a love for the platform and improving its visual content.**

Amateur photographers are stepping up to enhance Wikipedia's image quality, particularly regarding celebrity photographs, through a new initiative called WikiPortraits. With Wikipedia being a highly frequented site, many of its pages are marred by outdated and unflattering images, leading to the creation of dedicated social media accounts that highlight these subpar pictures. This issue primarily stems from the copyright restrictions surrounding professional photos taken by major agencies, which Wikipedia can't afford to license since it relies heavily on volunteer contributions.

To tackle this problem, WikiPortraits has emerged, aiming to recruit a global network of volunteer photographers to attend various events where notable figures are present. "Wikipedia has long faced the challenge of lacking quality images," expressed Kevin Payravi, one of the project's founders. Currently operating out of events like SXSW, the initiative provides photographers with opportunities to capture updated portraits, as evidenced by their work at prominent festivals.

Despite Wikipedia's stringent photography rules, which require images to be original or freely licensed, some photographers forge ahead to document what they feel are essential public figures. For instance, a recent effort led to the removal of an infamous blurred image of comedian Emil Wakim, which editors agreed offered little in terms of value. Other examples, like the image of footballer Kyle Bartley, further exemplify the need for better representations.

Launched in early 2024, WikiPortraits primarily consists of volunteers, many of whom are enthusiasts or professional photographers looking to expand their portfolios. To date, 55 photographers have already committed to the mission. One of them, Bryan Berlin, who also teaches photography, feels that improving Wikipedia's image offerings ultimately benefits the users of the platform seeking accurate information. He has enjoyed notable moments capturing celebrities like Kieran Culkin at film festivals.

The initiative aims not only to modernize photos of well-known figures but also to highlight lesser-known individuals lacking any Wikipedia representation. Celebrities such as Florence Pugh and filmmakers without existing images are now being featured. With plans for broader global engagement, WikiPortraits is eyeing events like the Met Gala and the Oscars for future coverage to elevate their project further.

Through collaborative efforts, WikiPortraits is giving informative online users a visual upgrade while uplifting both amateur photographers and underrepresented figures in the public eye.