April, 2010

Five Steps: How Photographers can Create New Business Models, Remixed (Video)

A sequel to Shawn Bueche‘s first remix of a post of mine about the photography business. Again, an example of how to present the same essential content in a different format, medium and communication style.

You’ll probably watch the video below first, but you can also read the five lessons series starting with this post: Five Lessons: How Photographers can Create New Business Models. The video, by Shawn Bueche:

5 Steps Remixed from Shawn Bueche on Vimeo.

As Shawn explains:

Today, the photography industry is weakened by the surge of amateur photographers breaking into market share. These new photographers have caused an economic downturn for professional photographers, stealing business and lowering the qualifications for ‘good’ photography. This has led inevitably to a growing trend among existing photographers to develop new business models and to become specialized in photographic areas. As for the cause of this surge, we point to new camera technology, increased image mobility (sharing), and the democratization of the industry in general––enabling accessibility through the price of equipment, expansion of knowledge, and reduced processing time. I focus specifically on the loss of business for professional photographers. Evidence for this problem is inherent in the economic downturn for the industry, the Flickr+Getty collaboration, and the testament of professional photographers themselves, including Taylor Davidson.

The solution to the above problem is to increase business for professional photographers by emphasizing the opportunities created by the problem and by amplifying the need for fresh business models among professional photographers. My personal effort to reach the solution is with this video which examines the current opportunities in the photography industry and pushes the audience to participate in growing the industry by supporting amateur photographers, not by ignoring them. This is an attempt to maintain a personal perspective while shifting to a social viewpoint on the issue.

Content sources for the video:

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