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Show me POSITIVE news about our industry!

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PenguinPhotoCo

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And I'm not talking about YOU or YOUR personal business. That's anecdotal and means little.

I see the bad, many of us do. And we complain. But I don't see many if any positive posts here.

Show me where new studios are opening and thriving, where papers are hiring, where NatGeo is upping it's budget for freelancers, where TOS on websites are protective of photographers rights (as opposed to instagrams TOS which keeps your images FOREVER and allows them to sell them to third parties and keep the money!)

Show me the growth in the industry - who's hiring, who's expanding, etc

Show me the good news!
 
PenguinPhotoCo said:
PenguinPhotoCo wrote:

I see the bad, many of us do. And we complain. But I don't see many if any positive posts here.
Click to expand...
I've posted several, so have others. You just choose to ignore them.

But here, I'll gift you some good news: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274021.htm

In summary, the average photographer is making $36,330 a year. Not fantastic but not terrible, either. Remove from the mix photographers working at amusement parks and whatnot and that number would definitely go up.

So yeah, stop your belly-aching and realize that the 'industry' is actually doing pretty well!

--
Any opinions I express are my own and do not represent DPReview. Have a good one and God bless!
 
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At this point, I am utterly embarrassed *for* you. It's like watching a drowning man sing a song in that the lyrics state he does not need air to breathe.

I'm not sure what else I can add, I am not part of your industry and never will be...

I feel bad for you man, honestly, I do. You moderate a forum that almost has no place or business being on a dying site like this....I think you need to take the time you spend here and spend it on more important things.
 
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Dan Nikon said:
Dan Nikon wrote:

At this point, I am utterly embarrassed *for* you. It's like watching a drowning man sing a song in that the lyrics state he does not need air to breathe.

I'm not sure what else I can add, I am not part of your industry and never will be...

I feel bad for you man, honestly, I do. You moderate a forum that almost has no place or business being on a dying site like this....I think you need to take the time you spend here and spend it on more important things.
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I'd give this two thumbs up but I'm only allowed one.
 
AcquiredTaste said:
Biggs23 wrote:
AcquiredTaste said:
PenguinPhotoCo wrote:

I see the bad, many of us do. And we complain. But I don't see many if any positive posts here.
Click to expand...
I've posted several, so have others. You just choose to ignore them.

But here, I'll gift you some good news: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274021.htm

In summary, the average photographer is making $36,330 a year. Not fantastic but not terrible, either. Remove from the mix photographers working at amusement parks and whatnot and that number would definitely go up.

So yeah, stop your belly-aching and realize that the 'industry' is actually doing pretty well!
Click to expand...
 
RhysM said:
RhysM wrote:
RhysM said:
Biggs23 wrote:
RhysM said:
PenguinPhotoCo wrote:

I see the bad, many of us do. And we complain. But I don't see many if any positive posts here.
Click to expand...
I've posted several, so have others. You just choose to ignore them.

But here, I'll gift you some good news: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274021.htm

In summary, the average photographer is making $36,330 a year. Not fantastic but not terrible, either. Remove from the mix photographers working at amusement parks and whatnot and that number would definitely go up.

So yeah, stop your belly-aching and realize that the 'industry' is actually doing pretty well!

--
Any opinions I express are my own and do not represent DPReview. Have a good one and God bless!
Click to expand...
$36,330 is terrible! All the hassle of being self employed, premises, equipment, fighting for business, etc all for less than the average plumber earns.
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Each individual is entitled to their own opinion, of course, but I would have to disagree. What you would call the hassle of being self employed I would likely view as the freedom of not having to work for someone else. (In order for me to work for someone else again and answer to a time clock every day I'd have to make AT LEAST 30k more than I do now. Minimum. I very much value working for myself.) The other things you list aren't large concerns to me personally. In addition, photographers work less than the average plumber too, so another perk is free time.

That said, I make relatively significantly more than $36,330 so perhaps I would have different opinions if that was what I took home. Knowing myself I doubt it, though.

Edited to add: It also depends heavily on where you live. In my area $36k would be 75% of the total median household income, so that's certainly not terrible.

--
Any opinions I express are my own and do not represent DPReview. Have a good one and God bless!
 
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"Employment of photographers is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Overall growth will be limited because of the decreasing cost of digital cameras and the increasing number of amateur photographers and hobbyists. Improvements in digital technology reduce barriers of entry into this profession and allow more individual consumers and businesses to produce, store, and access photographic images on their own.

Employment of self-employed photographers is expected to grow by 15 percent from 2010 to 2020. Demand for wedding and portrait photographers will continue as people continue to get married and need new portraits. In addition, corporations will continue to require the services of commercial photographers to develop compelling advertisements to sell products.

Declines in the newspaper industry will reduce demand for news photographers to provide still images for print. Employment of news photographers in newspaper publishing is expected to decline by 30 percent from 2010 to 2020."

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Alan
 
Please spend less time on the forum, and more time working.

You're in danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

All the time you spend on here is time that could be spent getting work in, making contacts, getting your name out there with new clients etc etc.

You want something positive? I gave up my job as a staff photographer which I'd been doing for 14 years. I started up with 1 months notice. That was 5 months ago. I'm bringing in a nice amount of money, the tax man owes me thousands, I owe him a fair chunk too. I get to spend more time with my family, I manage my own time, and I'm truly happier than I was. I have better cameras, better software, better computer, my own lights, better lenses and drive a better car. What's not to love?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Always give the client a vertical-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Blog/news/tips from a professional yachting photographer http://grahamsnook.com/news
 
Penguin, I'm sorry but you're beginning to sound more like a mortician these days than a photo moderator. Give it up man. We all know the industry is dying no matter how much lipstick we put on this pig.

The only possible answer, one that comes up over and over again, is bend with the wind, accept the new reality and try to make a buck. Lamenting the good old days does nothing to solve your problems. Adjust to the times or find another line of work.

And in reference to the guy who says there will be a 13% growth rate in photography over the next decade, he forgot to factor in population growth. Seems like it will flatline or decrease actually.
 
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I am curious about something, it happens on pretty much *every* single photo forum too, not just this one. There is a profound and very consistent failure to name and or recognize who is doing really well in the business of photography on these sites, it's like a form of denial in that if you are not doing good, then you refuse to believe that anyone is, don't want to hear it. It is even worse than the other thread on pros using film instead of digital, obviously there are and always will be, but all in all, a flat out refusal to look at and acknowledge facts presented.

So it seems to be a pattern of someone asks a question like how is the "Industry" doing or can a pro make it using film and then all the usual and expected rants pile on and then a few other examples are given that show otherwise. Photography as a job is not a mainstream job, it has always been a more unique vocation, a niche. And now that the mainstream has been largely put out of business because their services or products are no longer needed anymore, it is even MORE of a niche, right?

I and several others who are happily motoring along in our particular genres of professional photography have gone to great lengths to provide real world, direct examples of why we disagree with these blanket statements and have PROOF that these statements are both uninformed and incorrect. And yet, people who are either suffering in their own declining business models or people who are not even professional photographers to begin with chime in and beat the keyboard senseless in blind denial. What in the F is going on here man? Are you for real or are you trolls ordained by owners of this site to promote more traffic with these combustable topics...?...I am starting to think the latter is the case.

I really have to wonder because at the end of the day, if there is ONE person using film full time in their work or ONE person who is enjoying success in photography then you have your answer!!! Every time one of these examples is given, a stream of BS excuses is spilled on the thread as to why it does not count, why it is rare and does not count or why for the sake of the argument that just because a thousand or more people nationwide are doing really well in photography does not mean it is a good industry anymore and because YOU are not doing well means that no one is.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry as to how self-BS'ing this is, it's truly unbelievable! I honestly think it has nothing to do with not believing the facts and has everything to do with the pain of admitting that for many years to come, someone is going to be living the life in photography you failed to make happen and you don't want to hear about it....so you deny it...you make excuses...you say "Chase Jarvis? Oh...he does not count", a dozen named photographers who make their living using only film?....they do not count. Biggs, Tuck, Luttman and my self doing well in photography.....BAAHHH, we don't COUNT, LOL!!!

Nothing with success written on it counts, because YOU don't want to hear it.
 
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Hulamike said:
Hulamike wrote:

And in reference to the guy who says there will be a 13% growth rate in photography over the next decade, he forgot to factor in population growth. Seems like it will flatline or decrease actually.
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Incorrect. That was actually provided by the Bureau of Labor and they do factor in growth.
 
Dan Nikon said:
Dan Nikon wrote:

I don't know whether to laugh or cry as to how self-BS'ing this is, it's truly unbelievable! I honestly think it has nothing to do with not believing the facts and has everything to do with the pain of admitting that for many years to come, someone is going to be living the life in photography you failed to make happen and you don't want to hear about it....so you deny it...you make excuses...you say "Chase Jarvis? Oh...he does not count", a dozen named photographers who make their living using only film?....they do not count. Biggs, Tuck, Luttman and my self doing well in photography.....BAAHHH, we don't COUNT, LOL!!!

Nothing with success written on it counts, because YOU don't want to hear it.
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Sounds about right!
 
You have no idea.

Booked a sports league yesterday, got a deposit on a multi family holiday portrait, had a $1050 senior sale, met with a bride for a june wedding next year for a $3800 contract.

That's good, right? Bad...that was my FIRST wedding meeting this year. Last year 30% of my income came from weddings. And I've upped my marketing on weddings.

Does that bother me? Hell yes. It would bother you too. And talking to other photographers and venue managers they are in the same boat, seeing the same thing.

First 6 months of the year sales were up 20% over any previous year. Third quarter was so bad I'm behind last year by 10% now.

Senior count is about even with last year (a record year) and sales avg is way way above last year. But the increased marketing is only holding me even - take those costs out of the increased margins and I'm spending more and working harder just to stay even.

I don't like that. But it's better than some of my fellow area photogs that are seeing a 30-50% drop in senior count.

And the info I get is from FULL TIME LONG TIME PHOTOGS. Not strangers on the net that for all I know shoot 5 $500 weddings a year and claim they get all the business they need.

I've seen a decline in this industry in a 3 state area, seen album companines fold, framing companies fold. Don't tell me it's me and everything is coming up roses.

I'm doing OK - teh volitility makes planning difficult. Will next month be $10,000 or $2000? It used to be predictible to some extent but not anymore. Last year I saw a 30% drop in senior averages after being steady for 5 years. This year they're up to record levels. WTF? I used to have weddings at $2700 avg. Still do..just now some are $500 and others $4500...a very wide spread instead of a narrow one.

Dong bridal shows used to be a no brainer. Results were predictable. Now? I don't know if they're worth it. So that means I have to decide- this week- if I'm doing them this winter. It's more like gambling than business. Might do better taking the $500 and going to the horse track.

It didn't used to be this way. If it's not for you, enjoy it.
 
DenWil said:
DenWil wrote:

You are publishing fat women taking snaps of each other in a park.
Click to expand...
I could go to weddings and get similar shots of fat women shooting weddings. I was hired by one last summer to second shoot for her as her other 'fat female friend' was having surgery. The two of them work at the local HS as teachers, one is the yearbook advisor.
And yes, they shoot seniors too.
But at least, for now, they use canon dSLRs and L lenses and flash.
 
PenguinPhotoCo said:
PenguinPhotoCo wrote:
PenguinPhotoCo said:
DenWil wrote:

You are publishing fat women taking snaps of each other in a park.
Click to expand...
I could go to weddings and get similar shots of fat women shooting weddings. I was hired by one last summer to second shoot for her as her other 'fat female friend' was having surgery. The two of them work at the local HS as teachers, one is the yearbook advisor.
And yes, they shoot seniors too.
But at least, for now, they use canon dSLRs and L lenses and flash.
Click to expand...
 
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