CRISIS!! How BAD Is Photography Business Now!!??

In this video, join Andrew as he delves into the evolving landscape of photography and discusses the challenges photographers face in today's world. Discover how to overcome these hurdles and stay relevant as a photographer in an ever-changing industry. A must-watch for both aspiring and seasoned photographers looking to thrive in the digital age.
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[@dat2ra]

I have been doing professional part-time product and studio/on-site portrait photography for 13 years. People just don't want to pay for quality photography (mine anyway); they are content with selfies and whatever their friends AirDrop them. As of this summer, I am shuttering my business and selling off my studio equipment. I just don't want to put hours and hours into the marketing or learning to shoot/edit video that would be needed to jump start my business. I'm 70 years old.

[@letsbefrank3]

So good to hear that I'm not alone. I'm a headshot photographer in the UK near London and I've seen business fall off a cliff in the past two years. Most clients are shocked by the cost for a half hour session (£99) and probably decide to have a friend take their photo with a smartphone rather than pay for a professional image. As you say, most content consumed on smartphones is not shot in a studio with lighting but has a 'polished amateur' feel to it, which has become popular because of its dominance. Of course, Covid-19 and the economic crisis haven't helped either but it's now a market driven by the majority of amateurs rather than a minority of professionals. I'm not at all optimistic for its future. Excellent video!

[@BeyondPhotography]

I am glad I came forward and made this video and reached out to good honest photography like you Frank. I totally agree with you, after Covid-19, amateurs NOW are mostly the CLIENTS themselves shooting cheaper and lousier ads and also many are cutting down on advertising costs..... they seem not to mind that 'unpolished looks' like you said. Thank you for commenting Frank3 appreciate your presence here and your logical input

[@paulhyde1834]

Sadly, it's too easy for anyone to buy a digital camera which (let's face it) pretty much does it for you, and think that they're 'pro'! I'd love to hand them my 1980 C330 f with my Weston Master V and tell them to go and cover a wedding!

[@I-Have-Many]

As an older man who’s just getting into serious photography, I find this change very sad. I think it boils down to lowered expectations. People, including potential customers, are exposed to literal countless pictures each day. As a result, the value of each picture is diminished. The result is that a snap shot with no composition, lighting control, mood, or storytelling has become the “standard” by which people measure proper photographs. 😢

[@photosfromphilly]

I agree with your comments. The quality of images has decreased but that's become the acceptable standard. Speed is more important. In addition, 30 years ago news agencies had to pay for their spot news content. Today, they obtain for free, and sometimes simply STEAL content from personal websites. The photos of Bin Laden raid would have been worth thousands of dollars previously, now people simply post their work for free.

[@betyerpwet]

I agree. People can't even Tell a good picture from a bad one sometimes.

[@GilbertCarosinPhotography]

@@betyerpwet hoo they sometime do and call it vintage ;)

[@BIGboiFASTboi]

I think there's more to the story. Those from the film generation have a deeper appreciation for the time and skill that used to go into producing a well composed, properly exposed, and sharply focused image that would translate well from film to print or screen. With limited tools, and the inability to change ISO, utilize autofocus, or even have a puller in some case... The camera operator was forced to be sharp, detail oriented, and thus able to capture a moment in time that had all of the makings of proper still of film shot. Technology has evolved, and capturing a great shot has never been easier -- allowing the camera operator to spend less time inundated by technical considerations, and more time diving into more creativity. One of the biggest enemies of creativity is the unfamiliar technology or workflows required to create it. I think that viewers lack attention span, and the younger generation of "content creators" do a good job of finding and creating new fads/trends that keep viewers engaged. In a world of social media and serving content to the masses -- our job isn't necessarily to change the world -- but to create in a way that the world will observe our work. I think as creators, we need to ask ourselves a few things... #1 Who are we creating for... Ourselves or for others? 1a. If we are creativing for others we need to have less excuses for why people do not consume our work at the rate we think we deserve. We can't be so stubbornly self-serving with our creative approach, that it leaves too much to be desired by those who consume it. If you want your work to be desired, one should incorporate a desirable approach. #2 Are you creating for yourself? 2a. Then who care about a competitive market, anyways?

[@z352kdaf8324]

The irony in your post. 😂

[@dogdadoutdoors]

I was charging £2k a day as a wedding photographer, but the market has been in decline for years. In the UK, wedding are in decline, there are now more kids born to unmarried parents than married. Its becoming the norm rather than the exception. there was reduced demand for beautiful albums and prints and an increase for self-made cheap photobooks. I also had a studio and I think the market moved on to smart phones which do give pretty nice images with AI enhanced processing. I also found people got a lot more price sensitive and would choose photographers who would use kit lenses and showed images that had obvious clipping and provide images back same day, suggesting they were shooting jpeg. I decided I couldn't produce images at a level I would be satisfied with at a price that would be competitive. A little bit of me went into every wedding and I just couldn't do that the way the market was moving. I was got out but fortunately I had another well paying skillset I can go to in software development. I LOVED shooting weddings and portraits, but I also love 25 days paid holiday, 6 months full sick pay, (and 75% for life), private healthcare and a salary above what I could earn even when at its peak and I was fully booked. I do still shoot, but just for me now.

[@ThisGuy2330]

I'm a wedding photographer in Roanoke, VA, USA, and it's bleak. I'm still working, but bookings and payments are definitely way down. It's hard when you have dozens of new photographers shooting for pennies.

[@dctimagery]

Hey hey! I'm a photographer from Roanoke! I am up in Farmville at the moment at college!

[@ThisGuy2330]

@@dctimagery Awesome!! What's your IG or website? I'm always down to meet up when we have time!

[@demonsaint1296]

It’s never been good for me. Seems I don’t wear leggings. Two or three over exposing photographers in my area suck up all the oxygen.

[@MrBanda77]

Currently, 90% of photos are intended for social media, and they don't necessarily require high-quality images. Most pictures are 1350x1080 pixels, where you won't notice noise or smooth gradients.

[@lepham2011]

I have more and more customers complain about why the photos have the background so blurry, they want to see everything clearly. They complained why there are shadows on their face. They compared with the photos they took with their phone and very disappointed with my photos.

[@Isaypreach]

R u shooting wide open on all the shots? R u placing them in lighting that produces hard shadows? If so, that could be a problem for some.

[@FilNenna]

A hundred years ago it was difficult NOT to have a blurry background, so it was the trait of a professional to get everything in focus with a large format camera. Blurring the background is often a gimmic that can be replaced with composition technique and eliminating distractions on set.

[@Digmen1]

A bit of bokeh is good but not too much and these bokeh balls are just plain ugly!

[@Rholmes2010]

I've found that as photographers we prefer shadows and image depth but when given a choice many clients seem to like more flat, bright, and colorful images.

[@zayanything3124]

I started doing video along with photos this year and it definitely has helped. I saw where the market was headed and figured I’d adapt my business. Photographers who are only offering photography still are soon going to be left behind.

[@NancyWilliams-xn3hr]

Yes, video is everything and I'm sure in the future all ads will be some kind of video or moving image.. Not to mention AI doing some crazy things these days

[@lacohido]

I come from a Real Estate Photography background in US. The problem I have is that even though I do better work, the cheaper photographers just send their photos off shore to have them edited for $1 per photo. Not to mention they are in and out of a house in 1hour or less. It's crazy too, the real estate agent won't pay for better photos even when they are listing 2-4 million dollar houses (commission being 60-120K). They still would rather pay under $1000 and preferably $200.

[@Oncewasgolden]

Ha! I have seen ads of people looking for photos of houses and only offering $50. Sad thing is, apparently someone is taking these jobs and that makes it difficult to charge anymore. So just wait, it will get worse where you are at. Enjoy!

[@theorncampbell4432]

I shoot stills and video for an annual Christmas festival in my city. Last year I just used my smartphone on a gimbal for all of the video segments. I posted the videos almost real-time during the event to the event Facebook page. I saved myself using a LOT of gear and a lot of my editing time. I charged the same price as I have for the past 8 years. I use my phone for super slo-mo shots all the time.

[@BrightExposure]

Need more contents like this. More on Photography as a business than Photography as an art.

[@jamiegray3245]

I'm a professional photographer, nearly 20 years now, and business is fine, but I thought I would watch this incase I needed to know something. I feel I've learned a lot, and I feel I am ready ahead of the curve. Great insight and knowledge here. Client is key and if their needs change, so should yours. I know too many old pros who stick to their guns, don't become fluid in an evolving market and blame everyone but themselves for their empty diary.

[@rendyonline]

I second this. I've been doing this, corporate photography, for a number of years now and business is fine too. I have since learnt that change is the only constant. Being current is key.

[@poollife777]

​@@rendyonlineyeah they're the ones that are taking the business from all the regular people.

[@fish8cat]

I moved to a small town and it was harder to get work. People tend to hire the little girl they know who got a camera for Christmas and even if her portraits are distorted and in natural light, people will pay someone local . I was not able to create a business in this small town. Sadly, even the local videographer with his i-phone will get more traction than I can, so I gave up on that and shoot now for my pleasure. Times have changed, not because of covid, bu because there are more people taking their own photos or depending on their friends. The client doesn't understand or care about a good photograph. Additionally, photography is a print business and nobody prints any more, either. I've talked to younger people who came out of school for cinema or photography and they are not able to make a consistent living at the craft. I think that if you are a mom with a camera, you will be able to get other moms as consumers of baby or boudiour photography, but as a straight up, hang a shingle out, it's tougher. The money is likely in teaching or youtube influencing.

[@Digmen1]

Nigel Danson just did a comparison video, smartphone, v aps-c, v full frame, v medium format. He printed a landscape photo from his smartphone at A2 and he was very pleased with it

[@InvincibleViolinist]

The same thing happened in the print and graphic design industry a few years back. Improving tech combined with lower standards. If the customer does his/her own work, suddenly the result is always Picasso, whereas if you had presented the same result it would have been rejected out of hand. Today, you must define a clear advantage of doing business with your company. If you can't do that, you might as well be any random stranger that has an iPhone.

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Great video and advice Andrew, as usual, especially for younger people coming, or wanting to come into the studio photography world. Look at where all the professional cameras in 35mm are going, a huge emphasis on video as well as great stills. Couple that with amazing new AI uprezing technology, hardly a place for the very high MP camera, which would come at a huge price, especially for people starting out. Wise words, it seems the same world over, a new norm is here. Thanks for uploading, Robert.

[@HSNG10]

I am a hobbyist. I came across family members and friends who are used to phone camera quality and are fine with them - even for important events including wedding (only engaging a photographer for a specific part of the day, no videos and no overall coverage)! They think their friends with phone cameras will fill in the rest. I sometimes bring my camera, flash, mics and lenses to take photos and videos for them. Invariably they realised what a difference a properly composed and taken photo/video makes.

[@Sephiroth144]

... AND then just ask you to bring you camera and do all the work for free- or are shocked, SHOCKED I SAY, that you want to be paid for working...

[@tommyvictorbuch6960]

It was getting difficult already around ten years ago, when I retired. Can't imagine it is any easier today. Your analyzing of the situation is solid, and it makes sense.

[@Flburr99]

Your delivery is hilarious and spot on. A lot of good points, thanks for the video.

[@toxophillus72]

I couldnt believe it, I recently took my adult daughter to a stores camera dept because she wanted to buy a camera and learn about photography.She was looking at Canon Nikon etc, I had to go off for a few minutes, when I came back the salesman was saying to her "why dont you just upgrade your smartphone?." To be honest it really annoyed me as someone who has been in photography for decades.Anyway she decided to give it more thought. After reading all this I'm thinking perhaps he was right. All my carefully taken photos only get looked at on phones anyway. I've always enjoyed you videos Andrew.

[@Chris-ey7zy]

Photography is an art itself. This sales person sucks honestly. He’s being lazy. And I worked for camera stores for decades. Young people nowadays don’t appreciate art. The art of looking and thinking. There isn’t much thought in cell phone photography. You can’t push yourself like you can using a regular camera. Photography hasn’t been cheaper. No buying film. Can shoot with same card forever. No excuses

[@hkraytai]

Why wouldn’t he want to make a sale?

[@toxophillus72]

@@hkraytai I used to be a salesman years ago, I guess he was an idiot, because he sold nothing.

[@Thrumyvision]

Wonderful insightful video . Really appreciate the insight you provided

[@misafarah.bp23]

We appreciate ur support there Thrumyvision

[@Sinar-c]

Ive been an Industrial Commercial photographer since 1982. This trend started in the mid 1990's and has only got worse. People are so uneducated now they dont even know they have no idea how rubbish photography is. Success as a photographer now has nothing to do with skill or talent. Im retired thank goodness. I still use my Sinar 5x4 to do my own thing and I still have clients. I still sell images I took back in the early 1980's. But its not just photography standards which have dropped in many ways. We live in a ball point throw away world with only a few people still using fountain pens. Wait till AI takes over the zombies wont be able to do anything for themselves.

[@frontstandard1488]

Well said. Skill, artistry, craft, come from education and work. All lacking hugely now seemingly by design.

[@arcanewasp7361]

@@frontstandard1488 we as humanity make us unbelievably stupid so the ones who sell it get what they want new time design

[@kilombazo]

Business has been declining since last year. Customers don't want to pay what they used to but they want more. Tons of amateurs photographers charging nothing just hurts us all at the end. Great video Andrew. I need to start shooting more video, more shots in vertical mode. Adapt or die they say and it's true. I'm making half what I did last year, thanks God a have a full time job as a photographer that supports me, but my side business is suffering a lot...I'm in NYC.

[@misafarah.bp23]

We're wishing u all the best kilombazo. Stay strong there 💪 💪 💪

[@SilatShooter]

Great video with information shared! Thank you!

[@b3stbuddy]

Your content is beyond awesome! Useful!

[@norikkrikorian3366]

I agree with you 100%. I live in the city of Munich and I see a lot of advertisements in train stations and streets, some of which are for famous companies, and they are bad to the point of disgust.

[@ALLBOUTTHUGLIFE]

I've been into photography long before Covid. Covid did get everyone closer with videography and photography. But its only gotten more competitive and complicated. Only because ppl got to have the latest and greatest gear. We are forgetting the real art of simplicity. I'm too poor and cant keep up. I'm barely gathering what I need. Once I do, then the next best thing pops up 😂 Blessings, my ultimate favorite channel in existence ❤🥰🙏 Love You All

[@bubblesculptor]

Amazing part of today though is even if you are poor there are plenty of options to create & publish that rival options that a decade or two ago required massive amounts of money & connections.

[@LindyL]

Thank you for this video. I'm from Montreal, Canada. I'm a beginner in photography but I've been chatting with other photographers and it sounds like everyone is having a hard time booking. However the demand for video is booming. An event videographer with whom I worked with in the summer said they were fully booked. Seems like not enough people are getting into videography over here. Thanks again for the insights, always enjoyed your content. :)

[@Chris-ey7zy]

Thank god I’m more into video now too. You got to change with the times.

[@Motivatedlightmedia]

They want you to do both!

[@drone-ph]

Insightfully created content. Thank you! ❤🎉

[@thanoo1924]

Great stuff, Andrew. That's called teaching.

[@hitzphotography]

So true , i started fulltime photography in December 2021 ( i do mostly weddings )and till the end of 2022 it was awesome,but from jan 2023 the market falls and this year i didn't had my individual wedding photography order,did some exposing as second shooter for other photographer,i hope this upcoming wedding season will be great for me.

[@ozarksdigitalcreations9254]

As a beauty and boudoir photographer trying to start my business, I feel this. Nobody wants to pay for anything. I get told a lot that it is my area, but that's a poor excuse. Even in a bad area there's usually clients. Nobody wants to pay for anything anymore.

[@TheGoodPaparazzi]

ONE WORD BEST describes all that you spoke about in this video......" " TRUTH‼" "

[@misafarah.bp23]

Agreeing to the points 😂😂😂

[@a.jerrells8736]

This was an excellent, as well as, extremely informative video! Thank you sir.

[@CarolinaBoi864]

Love the honesty and very accurate

[@rinothmani6064]

Thanks so much. We appreciate your awesome comments 😍. - Rin Othmani, Channel Admin -

[@valdemarcaballero5298]

excellent video!!! excellent message!!!!! Blessings from Mexico!!!

[@Youmemba]

This is why im getting into sports and commercial work pros will always be needed for that

[@misafarah.bp23]

It surely is a challenge in those area 🤣🤣🤣 each second counts

[@petermcginty3636]

Mate, you are a genius 🎉. I love your ideas😅. Keeping fighting the good fight! 🎉🎉🎉

[@misafarah.bp23]

Andrew and his explosive ideas 🤣🤣🤣 Channel admin Farah N 😉 😉 😉

[@Sutterjack]

I'm 67 and I've been through three carer changes in my life because of technology and I've learned some hard realities because of it. It's wild times to be a photographer now with technology and post covid environment.. I prefer doing commercial work where people know I'm taking photos/video that sell their product or service. Also I've accepted that everyone is a photographer with a phone in their pocket now. That said, I find I'm evolving to more video than still work and I find that the valuable commodity for your clients now is TIME - yes a customer can shoot and edit a photo/video themselves, but if you can save them time doing tasks that distract them from focusing on their core business, you are a asset worth spending money on.

[@brainfreeze1925]

We are in the same peer group and number of careers. While my focus continues to be photography, I've made more money providing stock video. I still sell the occasional print, calendar, and gift "art" cards. I'm glad my wife has a good job as we'd be starving otherwise. (I'd have to get a job at Costco...they hire old guys that are in okay shape.)

[@petertivade276]

I agree with you. I live in USA MD. I am down too. Hope for better future. And for all of us.

[@Camera64video]

Absolutely, this has been the slowest in 20years. Last year I shoot 43 events and this year only 28 and I have nothing else scheduled for the rest of the year. I hope it turns around next year.

[@hotwith101]

I am a photographer for 35 years and the smartphone has caused a lot of photographers to close shops. The grandson with the smartphone is doing all the birthday party.

[@RaphaelChan888]

From Melbourne, Australia. Just thinking about this when I was walking through a large shopping centre (shopping mall) today and observed that most retail store windows were showing video on large screens, and much less were predominantly displaying still photos of models and their products. Seems that video is the way to go

[@hermanlopez2945]

Great tips and advice.

[@FyahAlex]

Great video!

[@YB12388]

Thank you for an entire set of Asian business wisdom! 🙏

[@rinothmani6064]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching 😊. Rin Othmani, Channel Admin.

[@VagabondKing100]

In my niche, a cell phone photo can get the job done. The hours (years actually) I put into learning photography, editing, and composition are washed away when a potential buyer just needs some basic photos because they know what they are looking at, really high quality photos (or artfully composed ones) do not convey more information. It's "just enough" to get the sale. So I don't make enough money to pay my bills. Then on the other end, there are photographers who are charging 10x what I get paid and their quality is undisputed. My challenge moving forward is how to get my quality level so high, that people will demand to hire me and not a random person with a phone.

[@peteanddrake4242]

For of my life, photography was an advanced skill that required professional equipment and software. That is no longer the case. Only the highest skilled photographers in niche categories will remain working professionals. I've been a pro for 25 years and a Kodak photog for 5. Last night I shot my kids homecoming with my full event rig--and my wife's shots on her Android phone were better in a lot of situations where I had to fiddle and fuss over my camera and flash. Photogs used to be able to make a living shooting for Boomers and Gen X who did not understand how to get great images. Millennials and Gen Z have grown up using editing tools--so there is no added value in them paying a pro photog for images. They can get 85-95% as good a result on their own. There will always be a high end market for pro photography. But making a living doing photos for middle class people and business owners is over.

[@bondgabebond4907]

I will say over and over again, photojournalism is the best. Be there for world events, in foreign countries, capturing in pictures of exciting events. A photojournalist, in my opinion, is and will be a superior photographer, whether using a camera, video camera or cellphone. Weddings are boring, life sucking events that will drive people crazy. I'd rather take street photos or family photos with my camera and/or cellphone. Though I will say a Sony A7R3 (which I own) takes far superior photos than a cellphone, but no one cares.

[@Motivatedlightmedia]

and the dynamic range of an iphone right now is very impressive. Better then my R5's

[@FernandoQuevedo]

“You are the smart in smart phone”. Brilliant! Very good video. Clients pay for your expertise and experience. Not about the gear.

[@kapwakomahalko7]

*The advent of smartphones Iphones (mktg ads), and new photo editing apps make people confident of their shots, considering the clarity and background .. but of course professionally shot quality photos have become a luxury. Still can't be replaced in wedding or special events. Best blessings! GOD BLESS Sir!*

[@azmilphotography]

You so under rated. For me, you one of the best photography sifus out there in Malaysia.

[@misafarah.bp23]

Thank youuuuu azmilphotography 😍😍😍

[@blackmamba3427]

Absolutely 💯 agreed with your views. Covid changed many industries the way it used to be.

[@Jack_Warner]

I was a photographer back in the 1980's. I did mainly weddings and portraits. This was in the good old days of film and medium format cameras. I loved it. But digital soon put an end to it, as more and more people set up as a photographer. It became a saturated profession. I still do the odd model portfolio or product shoot.

[@donnlowel4097]

It’s really bad… everyone seems to expect free photography now a days. Even for professional photographers, no one seems to get married in my town after the covid. It’s like starting photography all over again.

[@rjcaubalejo]

Free photography, damn, this is so real

[@Motivatedlightmedia]

see my post/comment pls

[@jamesporth78]

I am a model and actor in my city. And I have really started to work on my photography skills to improve my own photos. I have also began to look at what possible revenue options are open.

[@jasperkong7514]

You're absolutely right

[@Mtbunker]

Good information.

[@trevorwild195]

Good one Andrew! My biggest rant nowadays has been those so-called influencers who come into the market and claim that their followers will help move the client's product. Well, it may be true in some extent during the Covid period. It seems dying down a bit but as you said, customers are accustomed to the 'content creator quality' (I won't say good or bad) and since the rest of the customer's competitors are doing the same, why not? The only way for the good creatives to come back, is to have some very good ones visible in the market, so good that the rest of the creatives buyers(the customers) feel pressured and look for a more professional service. I started out as a studio photographer in JB, Malaysia in 20 some years ago and I found myself involved more and more in videography. That's how I keep my nose above the water. For photography, besides a well-edited photo, I also provide more angles for some more low-end foods photography as most of them require for photo for their social media content. For my high-end clients, they are there but they either lower their requirements to have some 'influencer' or content agency to handle them, or they are less active after the Covid.

[@misafarah.bp23]

We appreciate ur sharing trevorwild. It's great to know personal experiences 😍😍😍

[@JeremiahTrue]

As someone who came up and learned on film and medium format cameras, the evolution has been staggering and interesting to watch. Compating what ISO 800 on my 7D looks like compared to the EOS R is night and day. I can do stuff now with high ISO I never would have dreamed of 10-12 years ago. Because of that continuous led lighting is becoming a viable option and making flashes less necessary. I'm trying to get into video now but it's been a bit of a struggle, moreso on the hardware and movement than on the actual capture devices.

[@HanifBarnwell]

Even more exciting you can use post process tools and go back in time with old images to rescue grainy and or truncated images

[@The-Tall-Photographer]

I'm in the UK and see many scenarios when I'm on a paid shoot at an event where suddenly another photographer will appear. There room is dark with shadows covering peoples faces, the tables and stage area yet there they are trying to capture images without a flash, utterly impossible. If there's one thing that separates a pro photographer from a wannabe it's understanding light. Mirrorless Cameras - here's my take. Yes they're clever and lighter to work with but for me I'm hoary using my older DSLR. I don't need and EVF to see the exposure before I take the photo, I shoot for a living and therefor I know what I'm doing and I know my equipment.

[@WE_reviews]

Totally agree with you, I have shifted all my gear from big Nikon to Olympus Pro glasses, with Decent Lighting, of course, more than happy.😂 When lit your subject properly gear doesn't matter.😂😅

[@buskerTamsui]

Great and right what you mention. Everyone know why.

[@vivahabbitvanassen]

Thank you so much this was great I’m just coming back into photo and I need a smart photo for sure. You’re the best.

[@rbnootan101]

Great video 👏👏👏

[@curtizzl]

Enjoyed your video! Some feedback: see if you can control the room reverb in the audio you capture. There was a lot of reverb which made the discussion harder to follow when listening on smartphone speakers.

[@MileyonDisney]

My biggest problem with product photography is the styling - such an important part of it. I can watch videos about it, but I just have no artistic talent for it. I'm strictly about the technical aspects. You have some awesome videos and courses about product photography. I'll keep watching them and maybe some day get it figured out. Good luck with the business. You're honestly one of what I consider the Top 10 photographers of today. And your tutorials and courses are amazing! (It also helps to have the great associates you work with.) Thanks!

[@addictofbrian]

Are we living the same life? 😂😂😂 this is exactly how I am.

[@dr.strangelove5708]

Style? What style a lot of the stuff I been bumping into has hardly any style at all, you might be able to get a flair for it in this marketplace, I say practice and see what you end up producing this market is not the same as the past.

[@ninthsunn]

in honesty, these are what the professionals should be thinking when taking photographs not only to be more competitive but also to improve and challenge themselves. creativity is also playing a big role, in theory, a great photographer could produce great images from any camera if you put the thinking behind as you mentioned on the video. but yes, sadly the standard of photography today are degrading fast. more and more photographers are made no efforts on lighting, stylist but rely on post productions. but you're right, we mustn't let the standards go down to stay in the game as a photographer.

[@Motivatedlightmedia]

It's not up to us...

[@marcthibault8723]

Great video Andrew! Personally, I think it has to do with unprecedented inflation and the cutbacks it causes in all areas. There is less money to go around. 🇨🇦

[@misafarah.bp23]

Thank youuuuu for sharing us ur thought there marcthibault. I do think our current economy state do affect this as well, hopefully it get stable fast ✅ ✅ ✅ Channel admin Farah N 😉 😉 😉

[@MrBillkaz]

Not less … less valuable

[@rdproductions1061]

Instead of good or bad in terms of "image quality" clients are looking at engagement and content now because those sells their products more than a nice looking photo/video, also why saramonics sponsored you guys for this video. So if we don't evolve alongside the industry shifts, we will join the dinosaurs.

[@mazedulhoque8200]

Brilliant talking.. so much insight

[@Rholmes2010]

I find that many non-commercial clients like flat images with littls shadow detail. Sometimes the effort that goes into creating images with shadows and depth is not appreciated by clients. They like bright and more flat images sometimes. I've had several that saw my images straight out of camera (Fuji) and said no need to edit them. I'm like you paid me for a good product and I want to deliver. But they dont care sometimes beyond removing some blemishes.

[@Scentsational-Vdo]

Absolutely love this video! Just wondering what if the big three camera manufacturers made their cameras with the same technology as a smartphone? It would win some people back if Sony, Canon or Nikon made a camera with some AI self processing internally. Shortening post processing times.

[@thattravellingguy]

Everything you said is bang on 100% correct. Some years ago, before the smartphone camera became as good as they are, many newbies would buy and entry level Nikon or canon and overnight they would become photographers. Now, they done even need that. However, one thing that most people overlook is the size of sensor and the lenses used in a camera, versus the tiny sensors in smartphones. Eventually it’s the lenses that matter. And to top it all, a knowledge of everything you mentioned in the video.

[@misafarah.bp23]

Knowledge is power 😍😍😍

[@joss6291]

... . Who needs good lenses and big sensors if all the pics wind up on is the web, Instagram and the like. Why use a raw file from a 25+ megapix camera if you csn only upload a jpg with 8mb only and you will not find a lab anymore to get you a print of your photoshopped 250mb file and if so cannot process those data as they couldn, t invest in the latest tech.

[@janlasalle8845]

I do my own printing(super expensive)and I have a few exhibits in town...other than that I dont know a soul that cares about a beautiful print. I have a 45mp camera and post on Instagram...do you see the irony in that? I also find that people are pretty indifferent about photos and everything else ...so Im just going to go to dance classes and i have already added mirrors to my photostudio...so down with the gear...up with the music.@@joss6291

[@twaibumotionpictures6801]

Absolutely true

[@robertarmero6320]

I’m shooting with a Fuji GFX and it’s funny that most of my pictures don’t look like they came out of medium format (minus the depth of field). I have leaned into high grain, more vintage style, and pictures that aren’t necessarily conventionally attractive and those seem to get people thinking more. You are right about trying to stop the doom scrolling. Luckily for me I always liked doing vertical shots so that switch isn’t so hard

[@zzeed]

I think because of lockdown so many new entrants are starting budget studios, at-home setup and all kinds of quick startups - the supply curve has shifted so far out that the aggregate price drops. I see this as a positive. It's gonna force both serious photographers and budget photographers to re-arrange the market condition and continue to innovate.

[@juancarlomedina5383]

Thank you ❤❤❤

[@ianHobbs_codey]

Well said .. I just pitched a budget two camera shoot to a client 2nd camera is iPhone. Still it's a battle to get value. Photography has low barriers to entry. Experience and creative thinking is what sets you apart from low rent snappers. But I do agree with you re the changes in technology. iPhone 15 Pro -> 444 proRes export to external HD !!! As a photographer I always understood my role was a communicator and found market differentiation creative strategies easy.

[@omegaman1409]

Inflation here makes it even a bigger challenge for business. In the past it has been other photographers chastising prices. I couldn’t live off photography.

[@shootsatf8]

from where i am clients are so used to bad ads and no budget shoots. and most of the new/young guys compete by really lowering their rates to the point that they need a ton of projects per month just to make a small amount of profit.

[@akaimagez]

Thanks for the eye-opener. I am a professional photographer in The Netherlands. Time for a change.

[@refuztosay9454]

Smart advice - it’s quite valuable actually - amazing he gives it to you for free….

[@chefdezishere]

Spot on Andrew. Here in Singapore the market is all over the place and jobs have dropped in quality and numbers. Quality has taken a big hit with clients prepared for mediocre work. and I HATE FLATLAY!

[@josediazh3890]

Muchas gracias.

[@Garthgoyle]

Covid, man. I hated those years. I was a tours guide in a country that closed the doors to tourists since March 2020 till just the beginning of this year. Totally destroyed me.

[@poollife777]

Sad in Florida we gave up that crap in August 2020.

[@Digmen1]

I have always loved photography since I was 20 (53 years) ago, but only as a keen casual amateur. I would not like to be a professional photographer today - it just looks to be so hard to make a good living. I really enjoyed your video.

[@FlaneganB]

My business definitely hit a lot post covid. Actually, I am planning to do the similar video regarding about this too. I have a lot in my thought about this, will share once I am ready to start record and talk in the camera.

[@kfcheah5697]

At the end of the day, it is creativity that stands out from the rest.

[@Motivatedlightmedia]

no. at the very end of the day it's the economy. Food, gas, energy etc. Good creativity deserves good pay and that won't happen anymore. Some are way more vested then others.

[@richsmith9063]

Great Video !!! Thanks. I'm just photo hobbyist. However, this news is very disappointing to hear.

[@blcny4aghst]

You can be a photographer who chooses not to get paid. Which means you just enjoy doing it and you shoot whatever you want.

[@autudavid6589]

Am feeling everything

[@alantuttphotography]

I've seen this coming for years, with the popularity of social media and KZbin, where amateurs get attention for reasons other than the photography. In the wedding business, I remember getting more and more requests (quite a few years ago) for a photojournalistic approach rather than posed group shots. On some level, the amateur look is a style that has gained popularity. Of course, many of these clients just didn't want to spend time posing for photos, so there's that too. For businesses, it mostly about profits, so a more professional style needs to produce more sales, and if it doesn't, then why bother?

[@Armitage01101]

A truly good, spontaneous' photojournalistic photo is arguably harder than any posed shot. That's presuming that it's actually good photos that those people want, not just carless snapshots.

[@goldfries]

LOL at the smartphone photography part, when you do your best work for them the customer complain say not nice for some reason but their own staff poor quality image come out it is "Nevermind can use! Jalan!" - I tell you, for some customers I actually gave up.

[@ViewportPlaythrough]

additionally, post-processing/editing. this is both from phone apps that are powerful enough now that are either free or easy to get. easy to use that users really just need to move sliders around till they see what they want. then theres filters for that too. then AI (thats a whole another wall of topic) then theres adobe that is now pushing AI. which is both good and bad... again, all the points that are said in the video(and the ones i have said) are not, in nature, evil. times is just changing.. i mean, we knew that it was even before the pandemic, but everything hastened because of it.. additionally, AI is also contributing on that haste..

[@Urbanmediashowcase]

The struggle is real in NY and NJ.

[@bananabear009]

It’s the side effects of the social media era. The younger generations are just more used to lower quality imagery. It’s hard to go back, as you said.

[@jamessanders2164]

Mine has slowed down a little bit. But I remembered back to your lessons. Never limit yourself to just photography. Learn videography, graphic designing, etc. So, I am also helping a person on TikTok designing graphics for her 20oz tumblers on the side while I also try to get clients for photoshoots.

[@miromannino]

On point! Restaurant that invite me to eat on restaurants for photos don’t like anymore high quality photos, they want them taken with the smartphone (meaning they need to be looking bad and looking like from “real” people while having nice composition and lighting)

[@rogerare907]

Wow, you hit it tight on target, the current state of photography. I think this is true for everyone whether professional or hobbiest. Many of us got stuck with expensive now outdated equipment. Also, standards have gone down leaving photographers, musicians and movie producers with unneeded equipment and talent because the young generation doesn't require it. From a full band with drum, guitar, keyboard players and talented singer, we now have a turntable and a rapper who just blurt out words..no talent required. Movies dont require famous talented actors. Just add people in short skirts lots of tattoos and big nuscles and bullets and wow! Great movie. Same with photography, i remember learning from this channel and others and by the time i learned, many skills became obsolete because of LEDs and a.i. now im stuck with backgrounds and light meters and fast glass ..which isnt needed because of fake bokeh..I can go on but Ill stop..but i completely agree with you.

[@hishamosman4341]

The topic has merits for sure. Perhaps in jounalism, advertising agencies, film houses and to those doing weddings and events may well be the ones sustaining the digital imaging industry. Granted, smartphones are also to blame for the slump. This is the curse of advance technology research. Nowdays, any camera body that excels in both stilts and video will garner the most sales as the masses will look at ways to reduce expenditure. Then, there's the clients themselves who are not willing to spend like before? As always, it boils down to the person handling the camera gear that makes the difference. How creative you are? How dedicated you are in learning the knowledge of photography will ultimately points if a photographer is good or not? Example...my ex D850 was good before mirrorles came into the picture. Now my Z8 could do so much more in so many areas, especiallt in AF. The leap in technology has indeed benefitted shooters but I do agree, good job deals is not ideal nowdays

[@desmondo7042]

I have noticed myself framing & shooting portrait or both now where once mostly landscape.