Given the existence of these contributors stock photography is unlikely to be a dependable way to earn a living in the future. Those that are trying to earn their living taking pictures should focus on getting assignments or doing something that guarantees a certain level of compensation before they undertake the work.
How Did This Happen?
Technology changed everything. New camera equipment made it easier for amateurs to produce better pictures. Technology also made it easier for everyone to show their images to the world and make the images available for sale or free use. This trend cannot be reversed.
Businesses move through cycles. The new replaces the old. The IBM Selectric typewriter dominated the office typewriter market for at least 2 decades. Now it has disappeared.
In the 80’s Wang computers was a billion dollar company making word processers that operated off of mainframe computers. Along came the personal computer that could do much more than just word processing and without the need of a connection to a mainframe.
Lotus 1-2-3 was a leader in the spreadsheet world for years. But the popularity of the Windows platform and Microsoft software to run on it replaced Lotus.
Polaroid instant cameras let you see your images in 30 seconds. Digital cameras changed all that. In 2001 Polaroid Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and almost all of its assets were sold to a subsidiary of Bank One. It stopped selling Polaroid film in 2009.
For more than 100 years Kodak was the major provider of film for cameras. Then digital capture arrived and Kodak is now struggling to survive.
Times change. People must embrace new ways of working in order to survive.
What Should The Professional Photographer Do?
Many who are trying to earn the living from photography spend a great deal of time and energy looking for ways to overthrow this new generation and go back to the old ways of doing things. It won’t happen. Here are some things to consider:
1 – Find a new profession.
2 – Focus your energies on getting assignments where you are guaranteed enough to cover your costs and make a profit before you start work or invest much of your time.
3 – Produce better images. This is a favorite recommendation of many photography teachers, but it won’t solve the problem. There are plenty of satisfactory images at low prices out there. Search iStockphoto, Shutterstock, Dreamstime, Fotolia as well as Gettyimages and Corbis for the kind of subjects you shoot. Objectively evaluate the competition.
4 – Find a niche. It is virtually, impossible to find one that is not adequately covered based on demand. Check the sites listed above.
5 – Retrain. This is often very difficult because the skills needed are very different from those needed in the past. A completely different skill set may be required. The time needed to retrain may cut into the time needed to sustain your current standard of living.
6 – Older workers may find that given the time required to gain the necessary expertise or skill level, they may not have enough time left in his working life to justify the investment. Also, technology is changing in the world so rapidly that by the time you learn a new skill the demand for that skill may already be in decline.
7 – Recognize that the business-to-business market for photography is declining and find a way to market your work directly to consumers. For many this will require entirely new marketing strategies, but yesterday’s customers will only represent a small percentage of the customers of the future.
8 – Test new marketing strategies. You may not like the way the market is changing, but if you want to continue in the business for any period of time at least explore the new ideas.
9 – Follow the customers. Figure out where the customers are going and put your images where they are.
10 – Video will be the future. Stories will be told with moving pictures, sound, narration and graphics. The work will be done by teams, not individuals. No individual will be expected to have all the necessary skills to tell a good video story.