[Where is the photography industry going?] “Not doom and gloom. Only those in a rut will see it/feel that way! It is what you make of it. There’s so much opportunity. I’m excited smaller, mirrorless cameras are becoming better and better and would hope to downsize my kit at some point. I think quality photography services will always be utilized. Shoot and burners will thin out. It’s not a sustainable model.”

“For the individual freelance it is very difficult unless they have considerable resources to market themselves professionally. A quality website is a must, and you must have at least the $5k to invest in it’s creation. Then you need another $5k of resources to rank for 2-3 key words on page 1 in a big city location (or pay for ads)

For the savvy who can professionally shoot and create a strong brand online I see many more opportunities for the future. Focus on your own website and 2 key other rented (Social media) platforms. Email marketing and video will become even more important for the startups. Without your own website prospects just don’t put you in the same league, this is from my own perspective with business clients. Other opportunities will be to partner up with 1 or 2 others who are very good at particular niches and go from there. Local search is next my list of things to focus on.

I moved away from social media to focus and strengthen my brand and it’s perception. Social media is too crowded with people who are prepared to work for very little in my niche. There must be millions of photographers on social media.

Improving my websites position in SERPS has been the most important contributor to receiving enquiries and honing my skills in conversions. (Still a work in progress in many areas).

Business isn’t booming but I am seeing much better results after changing where I invest my time. I can’t control or get enough traction because of social media algorithms. At least with Google they have provided a road map on how to rank and be seen.”

[Where is the photography industry going, in your opinion?] “Booming! Though challenged/transitioning due to the amount of photography platforms, smartphones etc.

It’s changing big time! As an educated photojournalist, I’ve seen digital trends run down newspapers and the traditional old-school photographers.

Now more and more are working on a freelance-basis, doing more communications work than editorial. Personally I don’t mind, since the world is more visual than ever before! It’s just about market adaptation. I’m excited about where we’re going.

“All is constantly changing. Nothing has stayed stagnant since the onset of the digital revolution approx. 20 years ago. Am keeping a close eye on AI developments and continuously putting a big emphasis on marketing, promotion, SEO and SM related matters, brand and website integrity and customer relations… among many other things. Overall though I remain excited, passionate, positive and optimistic. There really is no other way if you want to succeed.”

“I notice a real return towards analog photography by young people who were born in the digital age. I presume people will end being “fed up” with the quantity of “empty” photographs uploaded and shared on social networks.”

“It’s so much easier for nearly anyone to get a decent camera and watch some YouTube tutorials and set up a website. But I think there will always be a place for a dedicated and skilled photographer that people will be willing to engage with.

I remember years ago when I was interested in calligraphy. I had the idea that I could do some part time work handwriting wedding invitations. I mentioned this idea to a colleague and he basically shot me down in flames saying that everyone who has access to a computer can print their own invitations, choosing whatever font they like. In other words no one would be interested in paying someone to write them. Unfortunately, I accepted what he said must be true and abendoned the whole idea. I realize now that was a mistake, there will always be a market for personalized and unique special products such as beautiful handwriting or photography.”

“I think the industry weeds itself out very nicely. I’ve had three acquaintances start and stop operating a business in the last year. It’s just too hard to hustle for clients. I will forge on.”

[Where is the photography industry going?] “Lower prices and lower quality. More photographers willing to give their work away for free to try to get in to the market and thus adding to the downward pressure on prices.”

“While demand is up, I see photography becoming more and more of a commodity item where the cheapest price wins.”

“Hobbiysts [will be] turning a hobby into a well paying side gig while maintaining their day job. Instagram filtering their work and running a sick social media campaign and thus making it “look” like they are awesome and beating anyone who has put in years but is not social media (young person) savvy.”

“Unfortunately, I believe it’s going to become a hobby profession with a few exceptions for those consumers looking for real art. All cameras are getting so much easier to use with professional results that people are diving into business without truly creating a sustainable business. So photographers fade in and out, with the new guy always waiting to replace the old one that gives everything away for pennies.

There will still be true professionals that make a good living and have elevated their business to provide discerning consumers an amazing experience with matching art. But they will be the exception, not the rule.”

[Where is the photography industry going, in your opinion?] “Doom”

“In my opinion the photography industry is at a tipping point. Things could get better for professional photographers or they could go drastically wrong with the influx of amateur photographers and non business-oriented creatives that don’t know how to run a business. Talent and creative work is at an all-time high but that could all go to waste without proper pricing structures and strategic planning, dooming both the amateur photographer and the professional photographer.”

"I'm not concerned about all hell breaking loose, but that a PART of hell will break loose... it'll be much harder to detect."