Making a living in photography

[Paul Shields]

This is not something I've ever wanted or ever would want to do. Not because I wouldn't enjoy the work, but mainly because I think the work would in some ways hamper my enjoyment of just taking pictures. Anyway, I raise this topic as I stumbled across the following link from the US Department of Labor. It does paint a partly optimistic and partly pessimistic picture on the future of the 'profession' (note this was based on data for 2002, so things may have changed slightly since then - certainly the ongoing digital boom will have affected things one way or another...).

Some snippets of the report:

Job Outlook

Photographers can expect keen competition for job openings because the work is attractive to many people. The number of individuals interested in positions as commercial and news photographers usually is much greater than the number of openings. Those who succeed in landing a salaried job or attracting enough work to earn a living by freelancing are likely to be the most creative, able to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, and adept at operating a business. Related work experience, job-related training, or some unique skill or talent—such as a background in computers or electronics—also are beneficial to prospective photographers.

Employment of photographers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012. Demand for portrait photographers should increase as the population grows. As the number of electronic versions of magazines, journals, and newspapers increases on the Internet, commercial photographers will be needed to provide digital images.

Job growth, however, will be constrained somewhat by the widespread use of digital photography and the falling price of digital equipment. Besides increasing photographers’ productivity, improvements in digital technology reduce barriers of entry into this profession and allow more individual consumers and businesses to produce, store, and access photographic images on their own. Declines in the newspaper industry also will reduce demand for photographers to provide still images for print.


Earnings

Median annual earnings of salaried photographers were $24,040 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,740 and $34,910. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,920. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of salaried photographers were $31,460 for newspapers and periodicals and $21,860 for other professional or scientific services.

Salaried photographers—more of whom work full time—tend to earn more than those who are self-employed. Because most freelance and portrait photographers purchase their own equipment, they incur considerable expense acquiring and maintaining cameras and accessories. Unlike news and commercial photographers, few fine arts photographers are successful enough to support themselves solely through their art.

[alan.lush]

This agrees pretty well with the opinion of a journalistic photographer friend of mine.

His opinion was that both the advent of digital technology, and changing tastes in photographic style will provoke a mass exodus from the profession over the next 10-20 years.

[JDArt]

Interesting subject.

I think that by the time I got serious about photography, I was old enough to have learned (several times) that the best way to make something unenjoyable that used to be enjoyable is to turn it into a career.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by JDArt

Interesting subject.

I think that by the time I got serious about photography, I was old enough to have learned (several times) that the best way to make something unenjoyable that used to be enjoyable is to turn it into a career.

That's a good quote, and I'll quote you on that .

I guess if work == enjoyment then we probably wouldn't classify it as 'work'. I remember in one of my first jobs as a budding programmer, I would tell anyone who listened that I'd be happy doing this for free as I got so much pleasure out of it. However, once I'd climbed the slippery slope a little bit and found that I had to produce things within certain criteria and without any real input by myself it became a drag... I guess being a 'professional' photographer still gives you the satisfaction of coming up with your own vision most of the time?

[Kevin Barrett]

Interesting information. However, photographers with their own studios and good business sense are doing a bit "better" financially. There has always been competition, but top talent get top bookings. In my local area, the "best" are still busier than ever and the "rest" are still looking for work.

I remember when desktop publishing was all the rage in the late eighties. It certainly impacted the marketplace. Those that ran mediocre businesses in the
first place, lost out. Those that adapted and then continued to perfect their craft are still around. Photography is no different.

Keep it fun for as long as you can...!

Kevin