Last week
Sports Illustrated, one of the most photo oriented magazines in the world, laid off all six of its staff photographers. They included Robert Beck, Simon Bruty, Bill Frakes, David Klutho, John McDonough, and Al Tielemans. In the future all images in SI will be shot by freelancers, or the wire services.
SI’s director of photography, Brad Smith, told the National Press Photographers Association: “There was a decision made through [publisher Time Inc.] to restructure various departments, including at Sports Illustrated. Unfortunately, economic circumstances are such that it has cut the six staff photographers.”
Smith added: “Our commitment to photography is as strong as ever, and we will continue to create the best original content possible.” Smith added that he hoped the laid-off photographers might continue to contribute to the publication on a freelance basis (at much lower cost and with no benefits, of course).
Time Inc. has been cutting costs since before its spinoff by former owner Time Warner in June of last year. Cost-cutting measures include a planned move to smaller offices later this year, more sharing of editorial and photography resources between publications and several rounds of layoffs.
In May 2013, the
Chicago Sun-Times also laid off its entire photography division, including 28 photographers and editors. The plan was to equip reporters with digital cameras to produce the pictures needed, but subsequently in March 2014 several of the photographers were re-hired.