When it comes to taking photos, we all have different standards. Some people prefer a more avant-garde pic, while others want a standard headshot that can be used on LinkedIn. I’m actually part of Gen Z myself, and I have to admit that I’ve had many discussions with my millennial partner about how to take a good photo. He doesn’t understand how to get the most flattering angles and seems somehow unbothered when a photo comes out slightly out of focus. Because of our generational divide (I hesitate to call it that because we’re both on the cusp of our respective generations, but you understand!), he always ends up with much better photos of himself than I have of myself. The things we do for love…
Jokes aside though, pandas, growing up with so much access to technology and the internet has benefitted Gen Z in a variety of ways. They’re extremely tech savvy, which means skills that used to require classes or training are already mastered by this young generation. This can also make them less likely to fall prey to internet scams and believing fake news. They may be young, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all learn a thing or two from Gen Z.
To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out to one of the Twitter users who joined in on this conversation, Cath Proctor. Cath told Bored Panda that she’s a millennial who loves Gen Z. “I'm a high school English teacher, and they impress me in all kinds of ways,” she shared. “My job provides me a pretty good view into their lives, and I'd say we're not that different.”
We also asked Cath why this young generation seems to have an innate skill for taking photos. “They were born with these tools in their hands,” she told Bored Panda. “They're also doing it constantly throughout the day, so it's no surprise they're honing that skill to a professional level.”
We were also curious if Cath thinks these impressive photog skills that zoomers have can be taught, or if older generations just have different standards for what is considered a “great photo”. “I'm not sure we can learn, but if there was a course I'd take it,” she told Bored Panda. “They're consuming such a high volume of images that, of course, they're training their brains to recognize quality and have higher standards.”
We also reached out to Catherine Sneed, another Twitter user who shared a photo proving how great Gen Z is at taking pics. “I’m an ‘elder’ millennial and consider GenZ to be really savvy with any tech,” she told Bored Panda. “They can pick up anything and use it flawlessly the first time.”
“Photo taking seems to be easy for younger generations because of all the filters,” she explained. “It’s similar to all the social feeds, and older generations are really just a shoot and click generation.”
And when it comes to whether or not anyone can learn the photography skills Gen Zers have, Catherine says, “I think it takes a long time to learn how to take great photos. There are so many hacks and learning videos because so many people just get it wrong.”
Unsurprisingly, Gen Z is the most photographed generation. And while this might seem like it only impacts their social media presences, apparently, it has also influenced the way they shop. According to Business Insider, zoomers feel pressure to dress in new clothes often and in unique ways to set themselves apart from the crowd and prevent “outfit repeating” often online. But this young generation is also concerned about keeping costs low and protecting the planet, so they’re not always buying new. “Gen Z is shopping a lot more for secondhand clothing than previous generations," Jessica Pruitt, an associate manager of marketing at Buffalo Exchange told Business Insider. "There is less stigma around this."
In fact, some zoomers even opt to rent their outfits rather than buy them, if they’ll only be worn a few times or for taking a few photos. “This is a fundamental evolution in consumer behavior, and we expect it will have an impact in the fashion business in the years ahead," a group of writers wrote in Business of Fashion's State of Fashion report for 2019. "There is a trend toward clothes having a second life or being used again," Chad Kessler, global brand president at American Eagle, told Business Insider. "This is part of their focus on quality, value, and thoughtful purchasing, and I think these [rental services] are just different ways for them to participate."
And while older generations sometimes give Gen Z flack for taking too many photos, living inside their phones and being obsessed with taking selfies, there’s no need to be so hard on them. If they’re enjoying an activity with their friends or eating a delicious meal, why shouldn’t they snap a quick photo to remember the occasion by? Yes, living in the moment is great, but pausing for 15 seconds to take a photo does not ruin the moment. We have incredible cameras in the palms of our hands nowadays, we might as well use them! Plus, these expert photo skills that zoomers possess really come in handy when you’re out in public and need a group picture.
