 unknown |
feeling the crunch? I was wondering if anyone is noticing a decline in business due to the economy and if anyone has had to lower their prices to keep clients coming in? I'm having a slight pinch but since I'm new to the this, am not sure if it's because of the holidays or if I picked the wrong time to start a business.
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
Good grief! The economy is bad? Hmmm...lessee...low inflation, check. Low unemployment, check. Stock market up, check. I think you need to find a different excuse. =^)
|
|
|
|
||
|
unknown |
Aww c'mon no pickin on the business newb! Be nice!! Can photography be a seasonal thing for people? There is a Wedding season and then holidays...does it affect business for most? I'm new at this. =-P
|
|
|
|
||
|
Pete H |
Melissa, ANY business can have down times. It is the smart business owner who knows how to survive and then THRIVE in a sluggish economy. A good business owner doesn't have slumps. They prepare, they are creative, they think outside the box. Photography is no different than any business..a solid plan in sales & marketing always works. My motto?.."Work smarter; NOT harder." As far as a decline; I guess it all depends who you ask. all the best, Pete
|
|
|
|
||
|
unknown |
See that's what I'm looking for...an answer. I'm not looking to get picked on here, which seems to be a common theme on most threads I've read. Thank you Pete. If anyone stops and reads, I am NEW at this.
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
Okay, looking back at that it did sound a little harsh. But there are three things to keep in mind: 1. If you're going to go into a creative business, you're going to have to develop a think skin. 2. If you're going to be self employed, you're going to stay positive and can-do rather than looking for blame for down times. 3. A bad economy? Please! (I survived the 'misery index' 70s.)
|
|
|
|
||
- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
That wasn't an answer. You were only looking for a "keep your chin up"
|
|
|
|
||
|
unknown |
Normally I do have thick skin, but since that was the first response to a very honest question I did take offense to it. I thank you for re-reading it and coming back, it's appreciated. I wasn't blaming anyone, it really was just a question. I haven't had my feet wet long enough (barely started a few months ago) to really grasp things. I understand at least I hope I do, the first two years is the make it or break it years for a new business. I've done a lot of reading and researching but when it comes down to actually DOING it, it's very different as I am finding out. I am constantly looking at what's new, what's different; trying to find a way to get my ideas across and out there. I listen to clients and my instincts, but I always feel there is something to learn...no matter how long you've been at things. I'm here to learn and understand. Misery index in the 70's? I should go read more. Again I thank you for coming back to this.
|
|
|
|
||
|
unknown |
I don't look for "keep your chin up" comments, nor do I dig for them and to me that was an answer. To each their own; thank you for your opinion.
|
|
|
|
||
|
- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
There's always bumps in the road, keep trying. What answer did he give you?
|
|
|
|
||
|
Bob Cammarata |
The economy IS in decline. It's a good indication that things are getting bad when the Fed keeps lowering prime lending rates. Another clue is the Federal Goverment's proposed "Economic Stimulus Package"...which in effect will rebate some of the money they took from us in the hope that we will run out and spend it and spur the economy. High energy costs and the recent housing slump are contributing factors, as are the rising costs of food items. As more and more corn is diverted to the creation of alternative fuel sources (ethanol), less is available to feed our livestock. This translates to higher costs to consumers of meat, milk and other necessities. So what does this mean to photographers?
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
=^0 If you say so....
|
|
|
|
||
|
BetterPhoto Member |
Try living in an area where you must live off the wallets of tourists and need to keep your pricing on the impulse level. Tourism is a hard sell industry. You can't afford to live if you don't cut your prices to a range where people don't have to think about the sale.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mark Feldstein |
There's an old adage: "When business is bad, advertise. When business gets better, advertise more. I think the economy is in the toilet and it's been circling the bowl for some time. Discretionary spending is falling off. Real estate sales prices are at an 8-year low and getting worse, at least in California. People who have recently decided to become "professional" photographers more often than not, do so without knowing the realities of the business AND without having the skills necessary to do other types of photographic work or occupations in lean times, like those we're clearly headed into. Afterall, how many recent converts from non pro to wedding/portrait shooters know how to shoot commercial work or have the equipment to do it let alone the knowledge on what to charge for it. Aside from the economy being at the root of the problem, I perceive the real core problem as being twofold. First, a glut of newbies competing for a limited amount of discretionary spending in a market that just won't support it nowadays. Second, and most significantly, IMHO, is the fact that most people I've seen trying to do business start-ups, at least around BP, don't seem to have a real clue about how to start ANY business let alone a specialty service biz like photographic services. It's rare that I see or hear anyone has put together even a rudamentary, flexible, business plan that provides a well thought out economic forecast of their local market AND a contingency plan for when economic times turn for the worse. That lack of preparedness in ANY business, more often than not, leads to financial disaster and I believe that most of the pros, if not all of them here, will agree with me. Professional photography, at any level, is a lot more than making photographs. Again, I think most of the pros here as well, will agree that to run this type of business requires about 80% of your time running a business and maybe...maybe, 20% of the time shooting if you're really lucky. Think about it. How many who have either quit your regular day jobs or decided on photography as a second career have a plan on how to succeed at it? If you don't, it's kind of like building a high-rise without a blueprint. Watch out for windy conditions. That's my rant and I'm stickin' to it.
|
|
|
|
||
|
unknown |
Greg, being that I HAVE worked before and the fact that Pete has stated photography is no different than any other business is an answer for ME. It might not be a good enough answer for yourself or others but do with it as you will. I have been in businesses where my bosses have taken me under their wing; and am able to observe the happenings around me and absorb this information coupled with what has been given to me so far, again is an answer for myself. My second comment above, about photography possibly being seasonal for some and if it was a factor for some was answered by Pete. He mentioned businesses having downtime. I have worked at jobs where the downtime was when there were no seasons; no wedding season, no holidays, no graduations. There were regular everyday occasions which kept business afloat until then. I have also worked where the word 'seasonal' wasn't a factor.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Diane Dupuis |
Melissa - it is my understanding that January/February can be a slow time for photographers. I think that part of the problem is everyone and their grand parents own digital cameras and don't really recognize the value of having professional portraits done. Good luck and hang in there!
|
|
|
|
||
|
unknown |
Hi Diane, thank you for your help. I was hoping this month would've been better than what is has been. Being that Valentines' Day seems big. I did very well in November and December...but the majority of the work was for Christmas portraits. Would the rules of the 'season' be a factor here? You know the whole 'businesses see a boom in customers around the holidays then it tapers once all the holidays are done' sort of thing. I'll stop wondering once I go through my ebb and flow with this. That seems to be the only way to find the 'norm' for me, to go through it. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm repeating a question here. I just want to make sure I do understand how things tend to flow with this sort of work, since not all businesses are affected in the same way. I think you are right about the digital cameras too. Plus so many people seem to have their own printers or are taking their cards to a store to print out their pictures. It's just not the same. On top of all the other elements that go into a portrait.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Pete H |
"The economy IS in decline. It's a good indication that things are getting bad when the Fed keeps lowering prime lending rates..." ..and blah..blah..blah. Sorry Bob, the facts concerning our economy are just that; RUMORS! LOL It is this type of thinking that keeps business owners down or worse, quitting all together. I really don't care what the economic indicators are; most are driven by the media..and we all know how truthful and accurate the media is. YEESH!This doom & gloom attitude will kill ANY business owner if they listen to it! Do your self a favor..Turn off the TV or learn to ignore it. ATTITUDE is everything! I will say I continue to thrive and fluorish financially in the business of photography. This is not bragging; rather it is a fact. I am FAR from a excellent photographer..There are many far better than I technically. The difference is I know how to sell, when to sell, what to sell and who to sell to. Ditto for marketing. To what do I ascribe this success to during these so called "bad economic times?"..ATTITUDE! Of all the people I know who are currently running successful businesses, I see a common thread. What is the difference between the "have's" and the "have nots?" The "Have nots" NEVER EVEN TRY! They sit back and blame everything and everybody for their inability to thrive and attain financial freedom. It is never their fault! I see so much well intentioned advice here; though it is usually bad advice and generally from people who have not a clue what it takes to own and operate your own business, photography or otherwise! It's like the story of a football player who sat on the bench all season long, bemoaning how he could do better than the other guys on the field. One day the coach finally allows him to play. The player; after one play gets knocked down, trampled and half beaten to death. The coach asks "What happened?" The player replies, "They didn' look so big from the sideliness coach!" Business: TUFF & HARD! Want more free time? Don't go into business for yourself! LOL Why did I go into the business of photography? I rise & fall to MY alarm clock. I love the challenge. Mark said 80/20 business to photography time. For me it's more like 90/10 Everyone lately feels with the latest crop of digital cameras that they can simply hone their skills and make money. It does not work that way; period! Now if you will all excuse me, my soapbox altitude has reached nose bleed levels..anyone got a ladder to get me down? LOL
Pete
|
|
|
|
||
|
- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
And where is this thriving taking place?
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
It's taking place anywhere there are self-starters and where there are people willing to work hard to get where they want to go.
|
|
|
|
||
|
R K Stephenson |
Hi, Melissa, I hope this response answers your question more directly than the current path this thread is on: You asked "if anyone is noticing a decline in business due to the economy" and rephrased with "I just want to make sure I do understand how things tend to flow with this sort of work, since not all businesses are affected in the same way." I'm assuming the "affected" refers to the economy. As far as the economy is concerned, down-turns are normal in a market economy and they have been very short and mild in the past 30 years. I really doubt that many businesses go out of business primarily due to the economy and I think the small-business failure stats will bear that out. So, what we really need to do is ask and answer the right question. I'm not a professional photographer, but I am a businessman (small business-type). I believe that even though photography is really, really fun you need to approach it as a business rather than a fun activity that makes money if you want to support yourself with photography. Ron Finkelstein, a business coach who contributes to Enterpreneur.com, wrote an interesting article a couple years ago about what successful small businesses have in common. I clipped it because it and refer back to it whenever I need to refocus. Not a single element in the article included "it's the economy, stupid!". Some attributes of note for successful businesses mentioned: Attitude. Quoting from his article, "As the owner of the company, you must have a positive attitude and accept 100% of the responsibility for the results of your business. When you accept responsibility, you can act to make the necessary changes to accomplish the desired results." Other elements included Customer Service, a Business Plan, Marketing and Sales. I believe each of these apply to any photography business. So my question is, do you have a business plan? It is vital to help you focus your activities. And, (regarding the observations that, e.g., everyone now has a digital camera and printer) do you review and adjust your plan periodically as conditions change? What do you do to market yourself and your business? How do you generate sales? I think taking ownership of the process (part of attitude) along with a well thought out business plan, strong marketing and sales will see you through the normal perturbations of the economy. These are in large part the things Mark and Pete were referring to as the "80%/90% business" that you have to trudge through to enjoy the 10%/20% fun. I hope something in there was helpful! ;^) Cheers, RK
|
|
|
|
||
|
Kathy Radford |
Hi Melissa, I think the economy is hitting everyone, but I do agree with Pete and RK. You need to market, market, market even more in an economy like this. I helped my husband start his courier service business during the last recession. What a time to start a new business, I don't know how many times my husband wanted to throw in the towel, but I wouldn't let him. Most people give up too soon. As stated before, attitude plays such an important part of success. I've always had the attitude of tell me I can't do something and I'll prove you wrong. It was that attitude that pulled us through with my husbands business. If you do portraits your're in a different ball park than my photography. I have been selling at art & craft shows and selling my note cards at local stores. Now that the economy is doing so bad I am looking towards other opportunities. I tend to shoot mostly barns, landscapes/seascapes, macros, flowers and more in the line of travel photos. I have decided to refocus my market to interior decorators who tend to work with more affluent clientele that have more disposable income and I have taken courses in Feature Writing and Photojournalism. I hope to sell articles with my photos to magazines and newspapers and eventually publish my own photo books. You'll find the most successful entrepeneaur are people who love their work to the point they are willing to put 200% effort into it and tend to be workaholics but don't mind because they are in love with their work. Just hang in there and market, market, market. I have always had that can do attitude no matter what. Good Luck, I'm sure you'll make it. Kathy in NH
|
|
|
|
||
|
Christopher A. Walrath |
My auto parts store is slow this time of year and people always know that it's going to pick back up again. Tax money's comin'. People will travel more. Cars will break down. (Not much snow this year in Delaware, Paint and Body end's been kinda slow). Now I'm hearing $5.00 for a gallon of gas this summer. Holy Shit! And we're gonna let the bastards do it. Think business is slow now, wait till OPEC gets cookin' (and yes, I have revoked my blessing, Mark). Business is slow. It will pick up. Perhaps not as much as in previous years, but it will pick up. Bear in mind that photography is not the same type of business as say keeping your car running, which may get hurt as well when the pumps start the crunch, or putting food in your bag so it might be one of those periphary businesses that dry up first. So beat the economy to the punch. Line up those customers before OPEC gets the chance to put a padlock on your gadget bag. Get out there and pound pavement, promote yourself NOW! Don't wait or you might find yourself thinking 'There's always next year' if anything at all. Sorry for the dour doom and gloom. Hope the year goes well for you, for us all. Thank you
|
|
|
|
||
|
Chris H. Ludwick |
Here in the NW its gotten bad, of corse alot of this type of business depends on your location. I've been a Pro Photographer since 1979, and have owned my own studio since 2000. In the last 3 years it started to slow down, last year was the worst and this year is looking bad as well. The reason for this is not just one thing, but several things. Starting with High school Seniors scaning their prints to make as many copies they like. Wedding couples now hiring friends to photograph their wedding to save money. Business's now doing their own commercial photography cuz they can buy a digital just like the pros, and fix it in PS. We had a photographer who avg 30 weddings a year, last year he did 4, ouch! you can't stay in business for long like that. I myself would of been out of business last year but I am lucky enough to have another income. Digal photography has opened the door for anybody to do it themselfs, you can buy a camera, printer and PS and run out, do a wedding, burn it on a disc and charge $300.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jerry Frazier |
There are many dynamics happening all at once, all unrelated to eachother, but kind of creating the perfect storm. Yes, it's difficult right now. Noob's shooting weddings for $500 or less are one thing. That's kind of a problem. But... In years past, I had many weddings where I was informed in one way or another, that dad took a loan out against the house or something. Well, with real estate in my area sucking wind, and the bubble breaking, I think that has stopped. So, I think overall, the wedding budget has decreased almost over night. People are spending less. My framer is going out of business. Other retail shops are going out of business. Not everyone is feeling this. In speaking with many of my buddies around the US, it seems to be mostly on the two coasts. Everything in between seems to be business as usual. At least for now. But, yes, overall, it's tight. Many are feeling it.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Ronna D. Conseen |
I'm in the middle of the country and we feel it here just like you do. People here aren't spending every spare penny, because there aren't very many. But I also know the importance of documenting life. Without that last picture of the four generations together, someone will be kicking him/herself for years to come. I have a "day job" and I KNOW beyond a doubt that it will be years before I am able to quit my accounting job and become a self-employed starving artist... like the rest of you...:) I am also a newbie, but have owned my own business before (and it failed btw because I was totally unprepared) I now know what I am getting into and know better how to prepare for the lean times.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Danielle E. Rutter |
Depending on your location and specialty, I have found this to be a slow time of year. In Pennsylvania it is very very cold and so my business (mostly children) drops significantly. I hear a lot of "in the spring we will call you." (technically I suppose it is spring now but you wouldn't know it!) This is my first winter in business and I was expecting this to happen ... but not THIS bad. And that may have to do with the economy. But all I have been doing is working my butt off to make sure it doesn't happen again next year. I am keeping myself just as busy with marketing and business as I typically keep myself with portraits. But don't lower your prices!! It tells your customer that YOU don't value your work and that YOU think it is too expensive. So what are your clients supposed to think?
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jerry Frazier |
i have a funny feeling that we're not all talking about the same thing. i disagree with those who say everything is rosey though. it's not. but, i'm coming from my world, my experience, and what is specifically happening in my part of california as it relates to weddings. I can't discuss any other thing other than that specific element, which is being affect by many things all at the same time. it is also a thing of beauty to an economist or to a consumer of wedding photography. but, to the pro, who make sa living at it, it's like having the carpet pulled out from under you. ...but, as rk and others suggest, all that means is it's time to move on. kepp working, keep moving forward. there's more than one specialty out there.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Chris H. Ludwick |
I found out last week that my supplier for Albums and folo's went out of business, some of you may know of them as they had a location in SF and near Portland. Western Photographic supplies who has in the past been Associated with Album inc., which bought their goods and is now out of Ohio. This is where a year and half ago I first learned of the downward trend by a friend who worked there. Anyway it seems this business is changing really fast in the last few years, Kodak closing labs, Bronica no more, etc.
|
|
|
|
||
|
BetterPhoto Member |
New camera technology going into cameras today is also a problem for the industry. The cameras of today can make people who've never shot a photograph before feel like a professional. This hurts those of us who've spent countless hours in classrooms refining our talents.
|
|
|
|
||
|
- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
For things like auto focus for people who can't focus on their own, yes. That and the high frame rate, but it still can't replace an idea or seeing when you have a good picture. That wasn't always something that a classroom could give you. Or that came from classrooms.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Kathy Radford |
You're so right Gregory. If you don't have a good eye, the best camera in the world can't help you. Like they always say, It's the person, not the camera. Kathy in NH
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jerry Frazier |
There will always be a percentage of people taht are happy with really bad photographs. There will always be a percentage of people that want very high quality imagery. And, there is going to be a lot of disappointment over the next few years until people realize that there is something to being a professional photographer, and all those disappointed brides start telling their friends to hire someone with experience because their photos were ruined by their Uncle "Bob" or photo student friend "Tim". Until then, hold on.
|
|
|
|
||
|
MGH NOW |
I think that the economy may have something to do with it, but the problems you state are also specific to the photo industry. Stock photography and/or amateur photographers may also be contributing to the decline in business for many photographers. I work at an advertising agency (MGH) and we recently wrote a blog entry (http://now.mghus.com/?p=166) on a similar topic. In it, we state that we use pros whenever possible, because they can give us the exact shot that we need. That said, we also use stock photography when we just need an inanimate object or general landscape.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Bob Belbeck |
I have been doing weddings since 1971 and the last couple years have been the worst I have seen, not just for me but for every Wedding Photographer I know. The high buck providers of Wedding Photography in my area seem to be doing well (even if they lack ability), the mid and lower seem to be getting fewer and fewer weddings every year. Even though I was one of the first in my area to convert to digital and to give customers a cd or dvd of the files, I think the high quality of consumer digital cameras have made couples think that candid photos for free are more attractive than stiff, formal traditional photos for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Afterall, it doesn't take many mega pixels to equal medium format Hassleblad. The compromise is quality over price and the consumers are making their decisions. Oh, I also officiate over weddings and the vast majority of weddings I preside over no longer hire pro photographers.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Pete H |
Bob B, you make an interesting observation I hope everyone caught. First..Look at the original question in this thread. Here's a part of it "I was wondering if anyone is noticing a decline in business due to the economy..." There is no mention of WEDDING photography in the question! Too many shooters have put their eggs in one basket. Every business owner knows a cardinal rule to success is DIVERSIFICATION! Deviate from that; well; you can guess. I did NOT say the photography business; I said "business owner." Myself as well as a few others have harped on this time and again. Business..Business..Business! Financial stability in ANY business requires BUSINESS sense!..and a plan! Period! It has absolutely nothing to do with how good one's images are. You said it yourself Bob; "...seem to be doing well (even if they lack ability)..." Guess what? What they lack in ability is more than made up for in their savvy business practices. Of course they're doing well! Allow me to partly quote Danielle "...But don't lower your prices!! It tells your customer that YOU don't value your work and that YOU think it is too expensive. So what are your clients supposed to think?" Right on the money Danielle! No pun intended. LOL Lowering prices is the WORST thing you can do. It totally de-values your work. I don't desire to toot my own horn Bob, but if you read my bio, I clearly states I don't do weddings anymore as my primary income (and I don't)...I further state I WILL if one can afford me. LOL Guess what? I do 2..maybe 3 weddings a year! They are special requests and they pay dearly from their deep pockets! Nope..I don't even shoot the reception. They get three hrs of my time and a nice DVD mailed to them. I am asked fifty times a year to shoot weddings..Until they hear my fee! Am I THAT good? Ha! No way...BUT..I do know how to sell and value my product. Excuse the altitude of my soapbox, but I am so tired of the whining about how bad the economy is. Those that speak this are excercising their right in the act of self fulfilling prophecy..which leads inevitibly to blaming "others" for their financial woes. Shooting great and beautiful images has ZERO in common with making money. This thread has been going on since Feb 22!..and still many just don't get it! The business of photography and the hobby of photography are divided by a chasm of gigantic proportions. So what's the deal? Here ya' go. Professional photographers are just that, they get paid. This does NOT mean they are making a living at it..few actually are! The number of shooters out there who live from their income in photography is incredibly small. Photography as a supplement to a full time job is great! I encourage that for anyone who can. To quote "The business of photography is a way to ruin a perfectly lovely hobby." Lots of truth there. :) So anyone blaming the economy for their photo financial woes are probably NOT in the (business) of photography; rather they are in the "supplemental income" area of photography which they really do not treat as a business. Ya..One day soon I will write a book. Stay tuned. LOL But for now, here's a freebie on how to make money with your images. Consider if you were told that you MUST sell TWO of your images by the end of the week. Further, if you DON'T sell two, you will forfeit your life! Anybody out there thinking? ;) OK..all wedding photogs..same scenario. Oh ya..I bet you'd sell two..maybe three prints for insurance and/or book a wedding! Extreme scenario? Sure it is. But this is exactly how people in business think!
Pete
|
|
|
|
||
|
Chris H. Ludwick |
I enjoyed your post Pete, you got a great attitude for the business. I do everything from Commercial to weddings, like you say never put all your eggs in one basket. I'd like to make one point tho, i'm not seeing it so much as a enconmy problem, but more of what Bob mentions, a digal back lash of sorts. I'm seeing this not only in weddings but in commercial as well. My biggest commercial Acct bought a digital camera and now do all there own catalog work. Such is life and you move on I guess.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jerry Frazier |
Pete, I don't seem to agree with you too often and this one is no exception. There actually IS something going on out there. So, take it for what it's worth. Getty swallowed up commercial, so many of those guys took up weddings. Then the PJ guys started getting cut from the papers and such, and news is now done by college kids for the privilege of shooting news. They are too hitting weddings for money. Talked to a guy who said his buddies who shoot for the paper do $1k shoot and burns. These are top shooters. They don't want to hassle, so they shoot, download everything, burn it to DVD, and leave the reception finished with their job. Yuk! What a way to go. Now, also, many day-jobbers are seeing a Saturday as a free day to use their new Rebel. And, they are shooting really cheap. Just look at Craig's List. It's a joke. This is a quick scan of the market, but over saturation is actaully happening. So, what's next? Commercial is out, news is out, weddings are going out??? Family portraits are still pretty good. But, I'm not sure where to go from here. I'll find something, but it is kind of crazy right now.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Pete H |
Jerry, It's cool. I will fight to the death defending your right to disagree with me. :) ..and I hear what you are saying; I hope you heard what I said as well. Perhaps we can all agree on this: It just all depends who we ask about the economy...Just don't ask the 4th estate! LOL
Pete
|
|
|
|
||
|
Jerry Frazier |
I don't doubt that there are places that are not feeling anything and blaming a down trend on bad business. I'd probably be doing the same thing. But, I know for a fact it's hitting many of us in weddings. I also don't blame anyone but myself for not building a larger breadth of business. But, I like weddings. I really do. So, I actually am going to fight a little harder to stay in. That's all. But, there is a real swing right now. I'm just trying to say that don't discount people saying something is happening. I have been hearing alot of people telling us that it's our fault and that our businesses are bad. But, they are in areas where there is no recession and they aren't feeling any heat. I am, and I am. Our housing market is in the toilet, and combine that with an election year, and stupid war, and the price of oil, and you have the beginning of something bad happening. Again, if it was just me, I wouldn't be public about it, but I knwo for a fac5t it's not. I've talked to other vendors taht cater to the wedding market and everyone is baffled right now. I had to call my own phone last week to make sure it's still working. That's how bad it is. It used to ring constantly.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Bob Belbeck |
I agree Jerry. All the photogs I know have seen definite drops in adv photos and corporate events too because companies now own inexpensive digital cameras with excellent quality. This is true even though most companies are increasing their adv budget due to the recession. Also, families are shooting their own outdoor portraits. I think when you combine the recession with the availability of quality equipment, the fact that if people see one good photo they believe their friend is an excellent photographer, and the fact that you no longer need $5000 in equipment to start a photo business - thus the increasing the number of free and paid photographers exponentially, you end up with a pretty bleak long term picture for photo studios. Many are cutting back in other areas - Moving their studio to their homes, etc. Hey, if we all had enough work to do we wouldn't have time to be on this forum, would we?
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||