Scarves

Word on the street, and in our inbox, is that photojournalists love scarves. And who can blame us? Throw on a pair of skinny jeans and a colorful scarf and, as reader E. Beercroft says, the scarf will “instantly… both identify you as a photojournalist and remove you from the pool of suckers known simply as ‘photographers’, especially ‘art’ photographers.”

And since half of the industry is filled with hipsters, scarves are a requirement. Not only are they practical for cold weather situations, but you look fucking good. And who cares if it’s over 70 degrees outside, throw on a kafiya. It’s light and desperately fashionable, and you’ll only sweat about 20% more than you normally would if you weren’t wearing a scarf at all. That’s not the smell of sweat, that’s the smell of a Pulitzer Prize.

P. Labrador says, “Nothing says, ‘I spent a lot of time in a country whose name ends with ‘-stan’ shooting cool photos of bearded people… and i’m bothered by all the stressful shit I saw thru my lens while being there,’ like a cool ethnic scarf around the neck.”

We couldn’t agree more. If there’s one thing we photojournalists want, it’s to appear knowledgable about the world… and other shit. Just the very sight of your “international” scarf will cause people to ask about your globe-trekking journeys. And as a photojournalist, you are obviously okay with telling every little detail about your life.

Just remember, the first step to being a great photographer is dressing like a great photographer.

Editor’s note: what the fuck makes a scarf “ethnic?”