Amateur Photographers Join Forces to Revolutionize Wikipedia's Portraits

An initiative called WikiPortraits aims to improve the quality of photographs of notable individuals on Wikipedia, addressing the issue of outdated and unflattering images through a global network of volunteer photographers.

Amateur photographers are stepping up to transform Wikipedia's image representation, particularly for celebrities often featured with outdated and unappealing pictures. Despite being one of the most visited websites globally, Wikipedia has long grappled with the embarrassment of having many of its celebrity pages adorned with poor-quality photos. Recognizing this persistent issue, a project named WikiPortraits has emerged, rallying volunteers worldwide to capture better images.

Kevin Payravi, a co-founder of WikiPortraits, articulated the movement's intent during an interview from the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, explaining, "Wikipedia has for the longest time had missing or poor quality photos of people." This initiative stems from the fact that most professional photographers’ work is protected by copyright and comes with associated fees that Wikipedia, reliant on volunteer contributions, cannot afford.

Past amateur contributors have inadvertently added images that are sometimes indistinct or, in some cases, noticeably poor, sparking humorous social media commentary. For instance, comedian Emil Wakim's Wikipedia page once featured a horrendous image of him, prompting editors to remove it with the remark, "having no picture is better than what's currently there." Similarly, footballer Kyle Bartley's photo has gained viral attention for all the wrong reasons.

Launched in early 2024, WikiPortraits already has 55 enthusiastic photographers, many of whom are both amateur and professional lens enthusiasts. Some participants, like Bryan Berlin, a high school photography teacher, found their motivation from both a personal commitment to enhancing Wikipedia and a desire to refine their skills through real-world experiences captured at events like the New York Film Festival and Sundance. Berlin recalls the warmth of working with celebrities like Elijah Wood, who appreciated the project’s mission.

The project has garnered about 100 million views monthly, successfully updating images for celebrated individuals and underrepresented talent alike. Frank Sun, another contributor, fondly recalls capturing photographs of notable figures such as Florence Pugh and Ben Stiller, while also remembering his positive interaction with actress Laetitia Dosch, who eagerly awaited a new portrayal.

As WikiPortraits continues its work, ambitions are high to expand its network and secure credentials to cover high-profile events globally, like the Met Gala and Oscars. The team is enthusiastic about challenging Wikipedia’s age-old photo shortcomings, transforming the celebrity portraits that grace its pages one click at a time.