But probably more importantly, digital has dramatically changed the business model of being a professional photographer. The traditional business model, getting paid to shoot for a client, still exists. But with many more photographers, there’s more competition, which often means young photographers looking to get work by pricing their services below market rates. On the flip side, I can shoot, edit and deliver images to a client faster and with more resolution, and the image quality is better than ever.
Digital disruption has also created completely new business models for photographers. Combined with the introduction of social media and the massive following that some influencers have, many photographers are earning a living off of sponsored social media posts. Both social media and digital cameras are disruptive technologies. Combined they have been disruptive (both good and bad) to photographers. Social media has made it possible for many photographers to be directly connected to their customers and clients and is often the primary marketing tool for many photographers.
Fifteen years is a long time as a freelancer, and I plan to keep at it for the foreseeable future. And by most measures I’ve been successful at it. I’ve learned a lot and made my share of mistakes. I wear many hats in running my freelance business and the learning curve has been steep at times. And as any long-term freelancer knows, progress isn’t always linear. This classic diagram captures life as a freelancer and it’s ups and downs. And with all the changes to the photo industry in the past fifteen years, the one thing I’ve learned for sure is that it’s constantly changing, and that I must continue to adapt.
Now on to the next fifteen years…