The coronavirus pandemic is causing significant disruptions in the photo industry that are seriously affecting the financial standing of a lot of professionals. It has been so serious, in fact, that according to a recent survey, almost one out of every five professionals is considering leaving the industry entirely.
Beginning in April, Lens Rentals began a series of monthly surveys in an attempt to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the industry. With responses from over 1,000 professional photographers and videographers, it is a great window into the current state of affairs. Unsurprisingly, over 96% of professionals reported that their income has been affected by COVID-19, with 75% reporting that 80% or more of their April jobs have been canceled. What's even more concerning is that professionals report that on average, 78% of their jobs have been canceled for May. Perhaps what's most concerning, however, is the news that as of now, almost 19% of professionals are considering leaving the industry due to the financial impact of the pandemic.
Head over to the Lens Rentals blog to see more of the survey results and discussion, and let me know in the comments what your outlook is at the moment.
"almost 19% of professionals are considering leaving the industry"
"almost"
19% is not 81%
"considering" thats because of the situation. release them to work, it will fall to 5% immediately
the us is the best at hype. no one better at fluff fake and drama.
A inevitable re-adjustment to the industry, arguably long over-due one. Photography was always going to be a tenuous industry for long term sustainability unless you could fall back on savings or alternative revenue streams. It was over-saturated and a lot of people saw it as an 'easy' job without looking to a potential future crisis.
I've said it here before, but realistically most of the world is looking at 12 months at least before some kind of sanity returns. Even then the Hospitality sector will amongst the last that will allowed to operate, and even then it won't be the same again. Tourism is also going to be a hard hit sector because of countries restricting entry for several years to handle screening and/or immunisation programs (if they work) kick off.
So businesses need to look at a minimum of 12 months of restrictions in one form or another, but these could be up to 18 months or longer pending the outcome of the various testing and immunisation research projects. If anyone says otherwise, and this is based on current data, then they're deluding themselves.
I'd say 81% of Americans who have been laid off will be looking for a new carer. How about we all stay positive during this crisis and be supportive of every American citizen. I have had to close my business and file for bankruptcy. No I am not a photographer by trade rather own a business in construction and we all have been hit hard. So just like millions of other Americans I will have to start over and at 54 years of age it is going to be tough. I will not sell off my cameras or gear for it is the only thing I have that gives me peace of mind during this crisis. Hang in there everyone, we are strong and shall prevail.
I hear ya and I totally agree. However, if you've lost pretty much all of your income and you have a family to provide for and bills to pay, it's kind of hard to stay positive. I mean, you can't just give up, but to just say "stay positive" is easier for some than others. Like a lot of us that read these blogs, I do this as a hobby (and make a little cash), but I don't rely on photography for my source of income. But yes, this too shall pass.
What career, other than Plague Doctor, hasn't been negatively affected (OK OK mask makers are doing ok and mass grave diggers are on overtime but....) so what career are they gonna change to that will be better?
The real change that needs to be made is that people need to stop competing to be the cheapest and they need to stop buying a new mobile phone every week and a new car and new clothes... or three new lenses, when the ones they have are fine; Because, when the sh.... ite hits the fan, you need to have something in the bank to see you through.
Haha, I chuckled at the grave diggers overtiming remark (even though I probably shouldn't). That one was good.
Well, you are right saying people don't have to try to be the cheapest and that they will have to re-think their priorities considering gear and software. I'm trying to save money right now and I know I won't be rushing to buy some new camera instead of my good old Canon or to update my Photoworks to Pro version while I'm happy with current one. It's the time when we have to adjust ourselves to this new reality we are facing.
The one who leave the business are the one not prepared. 100% agree on charging client by putting the future in perspective instead of instant win at cheap price but with no safety net.
This is just the start. We chose to engineer such a fragile system.
I agree with those saying 19% is not that much. But I'd say it was predictable as the photography won't be treated as something essential for some (probably very long) time. People would love to live their old lives but will they have an opportunity to do so?
Actually, back in 2008 when financial crisis hit. I got way more job as getting advertising coverage was a priority to win back market.
Companies got get rid of their expensive "agencies" and went to work directly with photographers.
"probably very long) time"
a "friend" whos a full time a photographer buys the newest gear as soon as it comes out. I told him at the beginning of the year, dont buy the new house, theres no work. hes absolutely screwed. hes in massive debt before c19. I dont know what hes going to do.
I say "friend" because he calls me when he walks the dog and I have to be his therapist punching bag to hear his complaints. when we had arson fires in our city, he couldnt even take the time to send a text, giving an excuse the whole family was with flu and going to the bathroom from diharea. when he had surgery I drove far to go see him. he constantly teases me that hes more successful and all the camera equipment he buys and sends pictures. d5's z cameras, all zoom lenses, all top primes. I told him to stop sending me pictures. when I finally had money to buy an old d4, I told him, he said nothing.
so screw that "friend" whatever he gets he dug the hole himself.
Interesting to see that 'some' professionals are still shooting on the Zenith E too.
I hate to say this, probably during normal times...19% are considering leaving any industry.
It just doesn't occur to you that our entire system, predicated upon manufactured bald self-interest, is fragile, unstable, and unsustainable. ALL of us are going to have to pay the price of our choices and the choices of our parents and grandparents.
Your bleeding heart does not alter any of that.
I may not like him, but Lee is pretty successful.
Who are you?
That said, you are right, "professional" is not a synonym for "good" or even "competent".
With garbage images such as yours, you have no place speaking thusly of anyone else's work.
When you said "I am an artist", was that your way of saying "my work is garbage and I have no clue what I'm doing".
I think a particular highlight is the image of a road heading to the horizon, but the horizon is skew. Flat lifeless dull images are awesome too. To give credit where it's due, your mono is OK, but your colour should not be shown, ever.
I made no claims about my own work, nor about my philosophical approach. However, you didn't comment on my "work" nor did I ask you to.
Your attempt to bring it back to me in no way alters the fundamental lack of aesthetic merit of your own work.
Also, an appeal to popularity is equally fallacious - not to mention, the assertion that anyone "asked you to remain here" is rubbish; that's not how this place works.
Also, there are plenty of artists who just happen to use photographic tools and media; your assertion that you are in some way unique in this respect is delusional at best.
Lastly, *couldn't care less* not "could care less".
That's pure gold. Now we have an appeal to relative privation. No one really cares what you have had to go through; and I am particularly indifferent.
One can only reflect upon the irony of your response, given Lee's objection to your own indifference.
You come in and talk crap about others and then cry when you get it back.
You really are not very good at this, are you?
PS. an M6 is a perfectly capable camera.
Deadweight is something that holds you back, slows you down.. After reading all your comments, it is very clear that you are not a pro, or make a living from photography, otherwise your website would have a way to sell prints, it would have Contact Me, or even an About Me .. You are a mere hobbyist, so what or who can hold you back? It certainly isnt any other "deadweight photographers"..
IF making a living from art, photography, is your (or a) goal, it appears you are your own deadweight. If not, then honestly you basically have no business commenting on "deadweight" photographers.
I hope that those who remain will choose to stick to their guns when it comes to licensing/not giving away work. That devalues the market for all of us.
I think c19 will make things even worse for the market. people will compete even harder as its going to take some time to jump start the industry. so people will lower prices even more.
on fb people are selling things saying "special corona price"
and there are those who are a bit optimistic and ask regular prices for equipment. it wont sell.
Honestly, I could see a lot of people who have jumped on the photography equipment purchase craze of recent years not having any savings and forced to sell their once a dream for cheap online. Market has been flooded with new cheap lights from china 1.2 lenses and I don't even know if we can estimate how many have ever put their purchases to income type of work even once. I don't expect the industry to care about these types of statistics. Dust it or sell it, for many it's probably not a choice anymore.
20% of photographers may leave the industry when this is over, but just as well 20% of non-photographers could join the industry when this is over. Either way, advertising will be in high demand as companies look to strengthen themselves once again.
I live in a oil and gas city, and everytime that market dips, industry workers that are laid off start their own food trucks, barber shops, breweries and other small businesses. If you've lost your job, this is likely the best opportunity to take a shot at your dream. For quite a few that is photography.
Contrary to most people's opinions, I find it safer to be self employed in these situations. I know exactly how much my company makes, how much it sets aside, and I can make instant adjustments to market trends and events. Nearly no overhead (no studio) and the flexibility to quickly adapt. I shoot architecture, but tomorrow I can shoot products if I want to, or even delve into video.
People have tendency to panic when they are scared. If you are real pro photographer you either work for NATGEO or are photojournalist and should not be affected. If you are wedding photographer you should have made enough money to weather the storm and all these delayed weddings are going to happen sooner or later and you should recover your loses by raising prices due to larger than usual demand. If you are art photographer you didn't sell to poor people anyhow and rich are never affected by anything. So there is no doom and gloom and no need for photographers to get a job at Walmart.
I note two points.
1. A lot of people are out of work. It's not like there are a lot of industries hiring right now, particularly in creative fields.
2. Assuming a vaccine shows up, as painful as these times are, they are temporary. To completely change industries now assumes the new industry will be more viable not just now, but after things get back to a more normalized place.
I can see people changing industries for a number of reasons, and this pandemic could certainly spur that. But I suspect that in two years the number of people who have completely left the photography industry will end up much less than 19%. I certainly hope so, too, as that's a huge talent base to lose.
Pandemics are economically disruptive. They always have been. Society always looks and functions differently on the other side of such a seismic event.
However, the sample size here is laughable. 1000 is minuscule and can not possibly accurately represent an entire industry.