Photography's viability as a career in 2024 is a topic of considerable debate, casting light on the evolving landscape of the industry. It's a question that touches the heart of both seasoned professionals and aspiring photographers alike, challenging the traditional pathways to success within the field.
Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this contemplative video explores the multifaceted nature of pursuing photography as a profession in 2024. Choucino dives deep into the contrasting realities faced by photographers today, breaking down the journey into scenarios based on personal commitments and aspirations. His candid discussion on the distinction between pursuing photography out of passion versus the drive for financial gain provides a sobering perspective. The video stresses the importance of aligning one's expectations with the realities of the industry, emphasizing that success in photography, like in any field, requires a combination of talent, hard work, and sometimes, a bit of luck. Choucino’s reflections on his own career trajectory, fluctuating between the "starving artist" and the commercially successful photographer, serve as a testament to the diverse paths one can take within the realm of photography.
Moreover, Choucino addresses the harsh truth that not everyone will make it in the competitive world of professional photography. This honesty is refreshing and necessary, as it challenges the viewer to critically assess their own skills, motivations, and goals. He encourages a pragmatic approach to entering the industry, advising on the practicality of managing financial expectations and the importance of passion for the craft over the allure of gear and technical mastery, offering guidance on navigating the intricate balance between financial stability and artistic fulfillment. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.
2 Comments
As a hobbyist I look at those who live with photography with success the greatest of business and that is what it is a business and today with the net there are many more ways to get contacts as well a show your wares than just a few years ago and I take my hat off to them. I meet wedding photographers at many works of life some in camera shops. But let me say this every day working at something could be over the next morning then a look for another. I have seen it from both sides for 70+ years for we all start at something and then another. I started as a military brat cutting grass and selling Krispy Kreme donuts door to door at age 9 to 12 then a transfer and did another for some 30 moves over and over. I even went into the military after being a factory worker making more than ever before the military was a big lower amount. Even after serving some 24 years you have to walk on even at a young age of 42 with a low retirement again find another way to keep a now family going. Take it from a older person it never ends i have been down the rocky road but made good decisions being blessed. If you are young and blessed with the eye of photography just look at those older ones working still in shops and factories.
Business goes on only with knowledge of things and great study of all things. My father in law a WWII sailor who made it to the top of enlisted rank in 6 years and a barber told his daughter who also wanted to follow told her he hated it but did it to raise 5 children with sore legs and feet and also had the night owl gene where he was awake most of every night also. What I also am saying is many do a job they hate forever but have to do for only job available to keep thing going and every day wonder if it will end the next day. I was blessed early in the military with finding photography by someone who shared it. Just early this month I awoke to a very cold and dark morning for a short drive to the coast with some fog over the ocean look for the milky way to rise at 5 am but at 6 am the fog rose with first light under all but thrilled when I saw it on the cameras I played with two. I know the feeling a pro has but better the feeling is with trade of skills to keep things rolling. A good knowledge of business and able to do something that fills with warmth on a very cold day or night, one is so blessed! Also we all start somewhere!
The sad reality is that the answer to this is probably no.
I've been a pro for a couple of decades. Like many, I've adapted throughout those years, learning new skills and finding new avenues to stay in the game.
And I'm sure there are those who will find a way to stay healthily employed - it seems very much to depend on where you are based.
But here in the UK, very few are now prepared to spend even close to a realistic rate for almost any type of photography. In the US it seems much much better. But here, I get asked to provide a full range of PR and advertising photos for less than £300 all in. We have people expecting headshots for £75. I have multi-billion ££ companies not wanting to spend more than £450 on a full day's event photography and architectural photography... well let's just say far too many architects are happy to shoot on an iPhone.
There will be the numpties without experience telling us to "adapt or die." Well, I've adapted, and more than most. But when the client base want to spend less than the cost of hiring the kit, then adapting isn't a solution anymore.
We have production people who are just kids, or certainly without experience. They don't understand the concept of licencing, and if I get an enquiry, they haven't even looked at my portfolio. They're largely just after the lowest price and refuse to engage by phone or email.
There was a time when images needed to be great because they would be used in expensive print productions. But with the seemingly fleeting world of online, the perceived value of imagery is now very low.
I'm constantly amazed to see horrendous headshots or pathetic marketing shots. Even on packaging for products, I'm seeing very poor quality photography.
It should be different. There should be a drive for quality. And fortunately there are still some who value it. But alas there is a threshold where when there isn't quite enough business coming in, it doesn't matter about the few - because there are just too many opportunities lost.
Of late I've been struggling to bring anything meaningful in. Fortunately I'm at the point where I can almost retire. But there's a whole breed of keen photographers who haven't started to pay their mortgages or fund a pension yet, and that's going to be impossible.
I have noticed that in the US, there are many more opportunities for decent projects with decent rates. I hope that continues for you over the pond. But I wonder how long that will continue.
And with the inevitable onslaught of AI, images are going to become very cheap, very quickly. And then we're back to balancing that all important threshold of minimum income.
The people who are fortunate enough to have the work can't really advise, because they're not seeing the whole picture. I was in that position once and I couldn't understand why others weren't charging £14,000 per album project or earning 6 figures. But now things are slimmer, I see what it is like on the flip side. I'd never have thought I'd be here, and I'd never have thought it would be so hard.
My advice... Don't come to the UK - it is almost dead here. But if you need 25+ years from your career, then no matter where you are, I'm not convinced there's enough mileage in this business to pay the bills, buy a house, feed a family and invest for retirement.
Get a "real" job and do this for fun, because overall you'll probably do more photography anyway.