A More Democratic Future for Photography with AI, Says Martin Schoeller at Xposure 2025

Photo: Sharjah Government Media Bureau

At the 9th edition of the International Photography Festival, Xposure 2025, renowned German-American portrait photographer Martin Schoeller shared his thoughts on the future of photography in a world shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and social media. Speaking at a Focus Group session titled "The Future of Photography," Schoeller predicted that photography would become more democratic in the years ahead.

During the discussion, he acknowledged that making a living as a photographer is becoming increasingly difficult. He pointed out that while more people than ever are interested in photography, the ease of taking pictures has changed the industry. "Photography will always be there, and today, everyone is a photographer, which is a good thing. But at the same time, it has reduced the value of a single image. In the past, photography was a craft—one had to learn about cameras, film, and techniques. Now, taking a picture is as simple as pressing a button," Schoeller explained.

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He also cautioned young photojournalists about the impact of social media habits. In a time when people prefer short, 15-second videos and moving images, he advised newcomers to approach the field carefully.

Despite these challenges, Schoeller remained optimistic about the future. He believes photography will be more democratic because, whenever something significant happens, someone will capture it. "This helps show the world what is going on," he said.

Schoeller, who runs a gallery in New York, also touched on the financial struggles many photographers face. Keeping a photography business afloat is tough, especially with funding issues, copyright concerns, and the growing database of AI-generated images being used in advertising.

Known for his unique close-up portraits, Schoeller has photographed a diverse range of people—from world leaders and Hollywood stars to indigenous tribes and homeless individuals. His photography style highlights each subject’s face equally, creating a sense of fairness and equality.

During the session, he also presented his project, "The Death Row Exonerees," which he started in 2019. This project was different from his usual still photography style, as it aimed to capture deep emotions and stories of people in US prisons who had been wrongly sentenced to death and later freed. The project turned into a museum exhibition featuring video installations and was later published as a story in National Geographic. Schoeller said this work helped raise money for Witness to Innocence, an organization that supports ex-convicts.

On February 23, Schoeller will also hold a special presentation titled "Redefining Portraiture Over Three Decades," where he will share his journey and insights into portrait photography.

Xposure 2025, organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), runs from February 20 to 26. The festival is the world’s largest platform for visual storytelling, featuring more than 100 galleries, over 300 renowned photographers, and 2,500 images. It provides a space for photographers of all skill levels to showcase their work, learn new techniques, and connect with professionals from around the world.

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