But while I don’t regret my choice, I do admire just how hard successful commercial photographers in every one of the fields work for their living. Yes there are more competitors than ever. And yes technical competency is coming at a younger age when those youngsters lack family responsibilities and are stoked with an enthusiasm to work a hundred hours on projects that only pay for ten. The young wolves have always challenged the pack leaders - but it does seem as if they are coming on in larger hoards, each anxious to work for a Happy Meal at MacD’s with enough left over to buy a new lens. Subsidized by parents, they have little sense of overhead, depreciation, or profits … But many seem fixed with the edgy eye that editors, art directors, designers, brides, and gallery owners find the passion du jour.

And since they share the generational culture that buyers want to attract/distract - what they lack in capital equipment can frequently be overwhelmed by a cultural vocabulary. It’s useful to speak in the voice and language of your market.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a generational divide in the tastes of those who pull the trigger on purchases. A generation of young buyers who have been raised within a thick-walled paradigm which reflects back their self worth at ever angle… is hard for folks to crack when they are standing outside of that generational bubble.

But… all is not grim for the professional who can escape the tractor beam of the commodity force which seems to pull prices down as equipment, overhead, and life costs soar. Never before has marketing literacy been so important to commercial photographers. If price is the opiate of the new photographer, brand is its cure. To the degree that the commercial photographer has been engaged over his/her years in building brand and product differentiation: To the degree that it’s been reinforced with strategic networking techniques: Then this appears to be a very good time to be a pro.

Although I still won’t swap my amateur standing with any of you.

I’ll echo the other commenters here, this site is a gem of information. Thanks!

I think that with the advent of decent inexpensive cameras there’s a lot of people who have the chance now to try photography. They see they’ve got a good eye and are developing a real passion for photography.

It seems to me that it’s going to be tough for two sections of the business. The $400 Craig’s List shooters for one, because that market is going to get *very* crowded.

The other is the “older” pros who are coasting. There’s a new generation of (not necessarily young) photographers who bought Digital Rebels and discovered some real talent and passion. They’re working very hard and are going to quickly pass their elders.

And really, *good* photography is hard work. They’re not going to shoot a wedding for $400. Not for long anyway. I think it’s both because they can charge more and because of the work that’s involved to do it right.

Fantastic post, Jim, thanks.

I’m a Canon guy myself, but I’m definitely seeing a lot more activity coming from Nikon these days.

Was great talking with you at the Photowalk and thanks again for the good advice on the biz. It is interesting to hear your perspective on “the future” and reassuring to know that it’s generally positive!

FYI, you many find my post on the walk to be pretty cool in a geeky-technology kind of way. I carried a GPS along with me and geotagged the route.

http://blog.rrdphoto.com/2008/08/geotagging-cincinnati-photowalk-with.html

Take care,
Ryan

Hell, I am sure the introduction of 35mm cameras made that generation of photographers less competitive and prompted the same kind of discussion we are having 80 years later.

I am of the “this too shall pass” school of worry.

There is so much to learn and stay up on. New cameras coming out so often we can’t keep up. Therefore the future of the photography business relies on the photographers. How will they embrace technology and “upgrades”? How will they handle the learning curve? I already know several Photoshop haters in the artworld who fear as oil painters, watercolorists, etc. are suffering because the “anyone can push a button in Photoshop and create a painting.”

I could go on and on on this subject. I have to say as an artist from the traditional side I admire (and am quite jealous) what the photography industry is doing. I only wish we (traditional oil painters) had a fraction of the enthusiasm and industry resources that the photography art community has developed.

By the way thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us at the PhotoWalk.

- Michael