Fstoppers has reported on a
new survey being conducted in the UK to try gather information about the future potential of photography as a career.
The questionnaire is particularly focused on the education and training required to be a successful photographer. One of the questions is: “What would you suggest universities and colleges should do to increase student engagement on Photography courses?”
I would encourage photographers in the U.S. and other parts of Europe to respond to this survey. Help young people interested in a photography career to understand the realities of the current business environment.
Photography is a great avocation and way of expressing oneself creatively. But it has become increasingly difficult -- and will become more difficult -- to engage in photography as a profession, or a career. This is particularly true for stock photographers who create images on speculation. It may be somewhat easier for motion photographers and people working on assignment, but even those people are finding it more and more difficult to get enough work to earn a comfortable living.
There are some staff photography positions with government and private industry. These may pay well, but the work is often mundane and not that exciting and the competition for such positions is fierce.
For more of my thoughts check out Is
Studying Photography In College A Good Idea? and
Stock Photography Revenue Trends Survey Results.
The last question on the UK survey is: “Do you think, at the current level of £9,000.00 per year, Photography degree courses in the UK provide value for money?” My guess would be that they provide not enough value to justify the expense.