Authenticity vs. Aesthetic: The Modern Photographer’s Dilemma
Authenticity vs. Aesthetic: The Modern Photographer’s Dilemma
As with many of us photographers in the age of social media, I find myself constantly trying to find a balance between authenticity and aesthetic. It’s a weird tension in my mind because I have both the desire to capture life as it feels, and also the desire to display it and frame it in an aesthetic and appealing way. Somewhere between a raw, grainy moment and a polished, color-graded shot is this middle ground where I and many others strive to be with our work.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have changed how we think about photography. What started as a way to document real life has become a curated feed of highlight reels and even moments created entirely JUST for these apps - carefully edited, algorithm-approved fragments of experience. But even in the case of that, it doesn’t make the art any less meaningful. In some ways, aesthetic has become its own form of honesty - it makes us think about how our art is being perceived, and incorporate that into the art and self expression itself.
Still, there’s this ongoing question: how much curation is too much? As creators, we want our work to connect with people, but we also want it to perform, often time business is generated from IG and other social platforms. Sometimes that means tweaking tones, cropping out clutter, or shooting a version of reality that feels more intentional than spontaneous. I’ve done that myself of course, waited for the right light, adjusted the frame, even staged a scene that looked “natural.” But its important to ask, is that inauthentic, or is it just storytelling?
The shard of mirror was an intentional prop - the montones of the photo and the perfect angle of mountain was chance - intentional, authentic, or overly curated??
I think the difference lies in our intention. An authentic photo doesn't have to be “unfiltered” it just means being honest about the moment behind the image. The problem is when creators start chasing engagement instead of emotion. Scroll culture rewards aesthetic and content that fits trends, and it’s easy to get caught in the loop of posting what works instead of what’s real and what feels like you. But truthfully the photos I remember are not the "perfect" ones, they’re the ones that feel the most like me.
When I travel, I try to remind myself of that. To capture the imperfect elements in a photo, the things that give personality and show exactly how it was in real time. Let those be the details that make a photo shine, and then find a process to edit and dispaly in a way that feels true to myself and aesthetic.
For my audience, people who love photography, travel, and design, this balance matters. We’re all drawn to visuals that inspire us, but we also want to be honest. My hope is that my work shows both; the calm, intentional aesthetic of my brand, and the real, imperfect texture of the world I’m in.
At the end of the day, aesthetic and authenticity don't have to be opposites, they can be partners. One provides structure and the other provides personality. The goal isn’t to choose between them, but to use both to tell a story that both shows the truth and intrigues the audience.
Combining a natural moment with a dreamy edit and onscreen text to direct the authentic vibe in an intentional way.
