Is the era of "Paid Photographers" drawing to a close?

ConDigital wrote in post #9154170
Hence why I think the wedding 'togs must be taking a hit.

Global economic conditions are likely more responsible for this than any other factor.

Algorithm wrote in post #9155866
Global economic conditions are likely more responsible for this than any other factor.

I think it was biting long before the global economic crisis.

ConDigital wrote in post #9155994
I think it was biting long before the global economic crisis.

The economic conditions do tend to make even well-off people start to think they're not, at least for a while. People are more apt to buy photography when they believe they're going to keep their jobs and get raises and promotions in the future...than when they don't.

Of course no one is going to make the statement that "anyone with a digital camera is a good photographer". The question is if they will be good enough for a certain price.

Of my small social circle, two recent wedding couples have hired a GWC - great pics? - not by a longshot, but good enough for the price.

At work we used to have two full time photographers who shot medium format film. Guess who replaced their jobs....me! An engineer with a Digital Rebel. But I was the right price...."FREE".

I know my examples are a small slice of the world, but I think it is representative of a larger change going on in terms of paying for photography. Customers, both businesses and regular consumers, are willing to sacrifice quality for pricing. This is not necessarily good or bad, but just the way things are changing. Photographers will have to adapt or find new lines of work.

Grimes wrote in post #9156592
Of course no one is going to make the statement that "anyone with a digital camera is a good photographer". The question is if they will be good enough for a certain price.

Of my small social circle, two recent wedding couples have hired a GWC - great pics? - not by a longshot, but good enough for the price.

At work we used to have two full time photographers who shot medium format film. Guess who replaced their jobs....me! An engineer with a Digital Rebel. But I was the right price...."FREE".

I know my examples are a small slice of the world, but I think it is representative of a larger change going on in terms of paying for photography. Customers, both businesses and regular consumers, are willing to sacrifice quality for pricing. This is not necessarily good or bad, but just the way things are changing. Photographers will have to adapt or find new lines of work.

Or higher end clients or a client base where these things will be less of a factor.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #9158121
Or higher end clients or a client base where these things will be less of a factor.

Oh yes, that's what I was alluding to. Talented photographers that are good businessmen/women will be able to survive.

Grimes wrote in post #9158402
Oh yes, that's what I was alluding to. Talented photographers that are good businessmen/women will be able to survive.

I have a very good accountant. Most of the really good successful photographers I know have very good office managers and good accountants. Frees them up to do what they love and are truly good at. Just like a very good chef. He will either hire someone to run the restaurant, a good manager to run the business, or partner up so he can do what bring s in the revenue.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #9158425
I have a very good accountant. Most of the really good successful photographers I know have very good office managers and good accountants. Frees them up to do what they love and are truly good at. Just like a very good chef. He will either hire someone to run the restaurant, a good manager to run the business, or partner up so he can do what bring s in the revenue.

Some even have agents and "marketing representatives" to gain them new clients. But not many photographers right out of school are going to be able to hire a staff the day they open their studios. By "not many," I mean "practically none."

At least in the wedding and portrait business, a new studio owner had better be prepared to be his own agent and studio manager, with occasional assistance from accountants and lawyers. And he'd better learn very quickly how to make the business decisions proper for a photographic studio (as opposed to a restaurant or a law office).

RDKirk wrote in post #9158866
Some even have agents and "marketing representatives" to gain them new clients. But not many photographers right out of school are going to be able to hire a staff the day they open their studios. By "not many," I mean "practically none."

At least in the wedding and portrait business, a new studio owner had better be prepared to be his own agent and studio manager, with occasional assistance from accountants and lawyers. And he'd better learn very quickly how to make the business decisions proper for a photographic studio (as opposed to a restaurant or a law office).

Well not many fields right out of school will be able to move into upper management or open their own business even MBSa work for consulting firms like Anderson or Booze -Allen or in corporations at mid management positions before moving up or if they go into business for themselves they usually spend some time learning the business they wind up starting. Why would anyone think its different in photography? Of course you are going to need to learn the specifics of what area you are going to go into.

There are plenty of commercial photographers that take on full time assistants but they don't pay well. Think of it as a continuing education.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #9158425
I have a very good accountant.

I often smile when I see or hear that line. I always want to say "Well, would you want a mediocre one"?

I wonder if in years to come if even GWC's will be getting low end wedding gigs. The last few weddings I've been to the amount of P&S's the guests were using the couple could have been satisfied with just those results.

I think you keep missing my point. Most wedding and portrait photographers can't work for someone else while starting out. Apprenticeship opportunities are not there, whether ill-paying or not.

Don't most large markets still have the volume studios that have training and such. You know the places that have maybe 7 or 8 locations and all you do is shoot and drop off cards and pick up the check? Those can be great places to start and learn how to shoot weddings.

RDKirk wrote in post #9159767
I think you keep missing my point. Most wedding and portrait photographers can't work for someone else while starting out. Apprenticeship opportunities are not there, whether ill-paying or not.

Wouldn't most photographers with degrees probably would move into commercial work now anyway one reason is what you've just mentioned?

Grimes wrote in post #9156592
Of course no one is going to make the statement that "anyone with a digital camera is a good photographer". The question is if they will be good enough for a certain price.

Of my small social circle, two recent wedding couples have hired a GWC - great pics? - not by a longshot, but good enough for the price.

At work we used to have two full time photographers who shot medium format film. Guess who replaced their jobs....me! An engineer with a Digital Rebel. But I was the right price...."FREE".

I know my examples are a small slice of the world, but I think it is representative of a larger change going on in terms of paying for photography. Customers, both businesses and regular consumers, are willing to sacrifice quality for pricing. This is not necessarily good or bad, but just the way things are changing. Photographers will have to adapt or find new lines of work.

And that will change as soon as your employer realises that quality has dropped or that you are being taken from tasks that he actually employed you for.

And bear this in mind, all businesses cut costs in a recession - this includes a trade of on quality. Also remember that you are also working harder for no recompense - good move? Not in my books!

airfrogusmc wrote in post #9158425
I have a very good accountant. Most of the really good successful photographers I know have very good office managers and good accountants. Frees them up to do what they love and are truly good at. Just like a very good chef. He will either hire someone to run the restaurant, a good manager to run the business, or partner up so he can do what bring s in the revenue.

Exactly what a good business person should do - make sure the right skill is used in the right place.

Just because the bottom end of the market is gettig hit doesnt mean that the top end is going to die. The bottom end of any market is where Joe Punter can compete (tradesmen/DIY, Chefs/cook, accountant/"MyBooks" software). Does that mean tradesmen, chefs, accountants etc are going out of existence? Nope! People want and need the skills they dont posess and are willing to pay

A mediocre photographer that is a great businessman will do better than a great photographer that is a mediocre businessman.