Can you believe it? Everyone and their mother thinks that all we do is push a button and we make loads of money–but in fact, we don’t! Go figure!!! A Photo Editor linked over to a report from Career Cast, which still ranks us as higher than a Newspaper Reporter. From former internships, I can tell you first hand that it’s a tough gig. In fact, Newspaper Reporter ranks in amongst the top 10 worst jobs of 2013. If you Google, “Photographer layoffs” the first thing that comes up is the infamous round of firings that CNN did of their photo staff in their decision to go with user generated content which they specifically coin their iReport. As controversial as a decision as that is, the Boston Marathon Bombings show us that there is a true need for the photojournalist according to another report from the Chicago Tribune.
More analysis after the jump.
Earlier on this year, PhotoShelter released an outlook on photography for 2013. And of course, we face loads of challenges. According to their findings:
– Photographers care about marketing quite a bit
– Photographers will invest in lenses and classes. Less than half will invest in camera bodies, lights, and software.
– Finding new clients and getting found online are big problems
– Not many of them are concerned about finding the right gear (most shouldnât be)
– Most photographers are on Facebook; Twitter not so much and even less care about Instagram.
– They want to improve their websites. Phoblographer contributor Sander-Martijn recently revamped his website quite a bit. You should check it out on an iPad and also try interacting with it there.
– 40% use the iPhone to conduct business, but many still donât use their phones to do it.
– Many photographers still give out CDs even in these days where optical drives are becoming obsolete.
– 65% still arenât concerned about video
With the current state of the American economy, many outlets aren’t necessarily looking for a photographer, but a multimedia specialist–and they have been since 2009 when I graduated college. To be fair though, I’m not being asked if I shoot video (though I used to primarily do that) as much as I thought I’d be. Most people know me for my stills–and most photographers will often market themselves as such. With that in mind though, they also need to be taught how to market their creative vision and not their gear. This is apparent with Instagram–Business Insider released a list of the top Instagram Photographers in advertising. And this above all shows that it’s about a creative vision than how large your camera sensor is.
Above all though, photographers also need to learn how to take better advantage of social media and accept that sometimes a photo will get used by a large organization. And when that happens, you can either send them a DMCA or just simply invoice them. Most established professionals know that, that this knowledge is what will protect photographers in the future.
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