Introduction to WikiPortraits

WikiPortraits is a team of amateur photographers who have taken it upon themselves to improve the quality of celebrity headshots on Wikipedia. Many of the current photos on the site are low-quality, outdated, or poorly lit, which can be embarrassing for the celebrities featured. WikiPortraits aims to change this by taking new, high-quality photos of celebrities at festivals, award ceremonies, and other! events.

The team has already had success, with some celebrities even requesting that they replace their old photos with new ones taken by WikiPortraits. For example, Jeremy Strong, star of the TV show Succession, was thrilled to have a new photo taken, saying 'You’d be doing me a service' when asked if he would pose for a new shot.

How WikiPortraits Works

WikiPortraits is funded by the Wikimedia Foundation and donations. The team attends various events where they can take photos of celebrities, and then uploads these photos to Wikipedia under a Creative Commons license. This license allows anyone to use the photos for free, as long as they credit the photographer.

The team's efforts have not only improved the quality of celebrity headshots on Wikipedia but also provided a valuable service to the celebrities themselves. Many have expressed gratitude for the new photos, which can help to improve their public image.

Impact of WikiPortraits

The impact of WikiPortraits extends beyond just improving the quality of celebrity headshots. The team's efforts also highlight the importance of having high-quality, freely available photos of public figures. This can help to promote transparency and accountability, as well as provide a more accurate representation of celebrities in the media.

Overall, WikiPortraits is a unique and innovative project that is making a positive impact on Wikipedia and the wider world. By providing high-quality, freely available photos of celebrities, the team is helping to improve the accuracy and transparency of online information.