Why Press Photographers Take No Side: Journalism on the Ground

Nobody’s Side

When I’m working as a press photographer—whether documenting a protest, covering politics, or reporting breaking news—I want people to understand something clearly: I am on nobody’s side. Not the public’s, not the police’s, not the paper’s. You don’t have to like me, and most people don’t, but I’ll always give you the respect you give me. That’s the only agreement I make in the field.

The reality is that journalists and photographers are mistrusted almost everywhere we go. We’re called vultures, liars, or parasites. Yet when events unfold—when crisis or history erupts—we are the first people society looks to. They need evidence. They need images. They need proof of what happened and how it looked. That’s why the role of the press is vital, even if it’s resented. People dislike us until they need us.

The Hidden Toll of Journalism

Press work is not glamorous. It takes persistence, strength, and courage, but more than anything, it takes its toll. There are early mornings, late nights, long journeys, hours of waiting in harsh conditions. There is verbal abuse, physical confrontation, and emotional exhaustion. Even after leaving a scene, the weight of what you witnessed lingers.

On top of that, there is mistrust. Few people outside this trade genuinely trust photographers or journalists. And when newspapers misrepresent a story, photographers are often blamed. Yet the truth is this: we are first responders to events. We document reality as it happens and pass that record upwards to editors and writers. How they frame, spin, or misinterpret it is not our responsibility. My responsibility begins and ends with what I saw and captured. I sell images to whoever needs them, but interpretation lies beyond my control.

The Relationship Between Press and Police

One of the biggest misconceptions about press photographers is our relationship with the police. Yes, many of us are known to police officers, and yes, we treat them with respect—even when we are arrested despite holding valid press passes. Why? Because, like us, they are doing their job. I may not agree with how that job is done, but making myself their enemy only makes my work more difficult and dangerous.

Respect is survival. Too many people use “I’m press” as a threat towards the police, but that approach is reckless. The press is not a threat, and treating it as one only damages the role of journalism. From the public’s perspective, police and press are often seen in the same boat. When anger rises, the police will usually be the first target, but when it suits the crowd, the press quickly follows. That shifting hostility is something every photographer must be prepared for.

Why We Keep Doing It

So why continue in a job where mistrust, abuse, and hostility are guaranteed? Because society needs witnesses. Without press photographers, there is no evidence of what really happened. People have been hurt, arrested, and even killed doing this work, not for recognition, but to make sure there is a record for history.

You cannot do this job unless you care deeply about humanity. It means facing both the best and worst of people, seeing joy and cruelty, triumph and tragedy. That is what this work demands. And that is why I remain on nobody’s side—not the crowd’s, not the state’s, not the editor’s. Just the side of the truth as I see it.

We’re not here to be liked. We’re here to witness. And the truth doesn’t take sides.

FAQ

1. What does it mean when press photographers say they take no side?
It means their role is to document events accurately without aligning with protesters, police, or media outlets. They are there to witness and record, not to participate.

2. Why don’t people trust journalists and press photographers?
Public mistrust comes from accusations of bias, media spin, or invasive reporting. Photographers often become scapegoats for how stories are later written.

3. Are press photographers responsible for media bias?
No. Press photographers provide images of what they witness. Editors and writers decide how those images are used and framed.

4. Why do press photographers work with the police?
It’s about survival and professionalism. Respecting police helps photographers maintain access and stay safe, even if the relationship is tense.

5. Do press passes guarantee safety at protests?
No. Even with press credentials, photographers can be targeted by crowds or detained by police. Press passes identify you, but they don’t shield you.

6. What toll does press photography take on individuals?
The work involves long hours, dangerous situations, travel, exposure to trauma, and emotional stress. It is a career that demands resilience.

7. Why do photographers keep doing this work despite the risks?
Because society needs a visual record of truth. Without them, key events would go undocumented, leaving only rumour or state narrative.

8. How do press photographers decide who to sell their images to?
Images are usually licensed to agencies or publications that need them. Photographers do not control how editors interpret the photos.

9. Are press photographers neutral?
Yes, their role is to remain impartial. They aim to show what happened, not to endorse or oppose any side of an event.

10. What motivates someone to become a press photographer?
A deep interest in truth, humanity, and history. It takes passion for witnessing and documenting life’s brightest and darkest moments.