Continuing the discussion about the deluge of the amateur photographer.
Carolyn Potts, Professional photographers’ commoditization covered in mainstream media:
In case you somehow missed the article entitled “For Photographers, the Image of a Shrinking Path” which was in the March 29th, 2010 edition of the New York Times, it covered what those of us who are deeply involved in professional commercial photography business, painfully know: things have dramatically changed for professional commercial photographers. So much so, that mainstream media is now reporting on the trend that’s been occurring for at least the last 5 years: advanced amateurs and part-time photographers are pricing their photography at rates well below prices that could viably sustain a full-time photography business-or probably a business of any sort!
Pardon me, but that’s not the real trend. The critical underlying trend is that the business model of the “full-time photography business” from five years ago simply isn’t competitive in today’s market. “Advanced amateurs” and part-time photographers are shaping and responding to today’s demand and supply to offer a more competitive product in today’s market. The real trend is the decline of the old “full-time photography business” business model. The decline in prices are merely one signal of the industry’s underlying shifts.
Instead of focusing on the old business model of the “full-tie photography business”, identify the competition, pay attention to the market, and adapt: continued:
What did those professional photographers do to survive? Every single one of them refused to focus on what was wrong with changes; they focused on the opportunities! They use a business slow-down to reinvent themselves. They update their portfolios; become proficient in new software; grow their business network; and learn more effective sales and marketing techniques.
How?
For one, start here for forty-two posts about the changing business models in the photography industry.
And if you’ve got more questions, ask me.
But if I could give just one point of advice to the professional photographer today: your new competitors are your new customers. Meaning:
“The best way to make money in photography today is to sell things to photographers.”
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