It used to be possible to book 8 or 10 model wannabes in a day to do “tests”. At 2-$300 a model this was a lucrative business. Model Mayhem and TFP has wiped out this most of this business. ( How many Toronto Photographers remember the testing board?)
Photographers on assignment could create images on their journeys and submit them to stock agencies. These images could produce 30- $50K a year income to the average shooter. Micro stock has taken a big chunk out of that. ( there are other factors that mangled stock as well… but the glory days are gone)
Magazines used to pay for image that they published. Now they are so used to photographers providing images at low to no rates, that they fell it is a privilege for you to have an image in their magazine.
In order to make a living commercial and fashion photographers have moved into the weddings (maybe the last real profitable segment of photography). These Pros usually go after the high end. Part timers are providing services for the budget conscious consumer.. which leaves the established wedding shooters with competition increasing from both ends.
How to survive?
Most photographers either have a second job or a spouse that covers expenses and benefits. ( I tried the second job route… I was not cut out to be a Home Depot Associate)
There are photographers who do make all of there living from shooting…. but from my informal survey I would put it at less then 10% of the photographers who have collected fees for their services. Photographers have to realize the “old” days are gone, and they have to adapt or get out of the profession.Â
They have to find a niche that they can work in, provide services that a part timer can’t, adjust their marketing, basically behave like any other business in the times we are living in.Â
Is there a problem with this?
I just look at this as part of the massive change we are living through.There is no way to turn back the clock, this is the reality of today, in Photography and other professions as well.
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