Zenfolio reports on photographers diversifying their businesses

GaryPageau

Zenfolio has revealed the results of its latest “State of Photography Industry Report,” highlighting how photographers adapted their businesses following the COVID-19 pandemic. As with most job positions that weren’t deemed “essential”, but that required in-person interaction, photographers took a big hit to their bookings, and ultimately, to their paychecks. Not surprisingly, photographers reported significant revenue drops.

The company surveyed 3,400 photographers around the globe to understand how they were affected, and what they did to stay afloat during COVID. Not all of them were Zenfolio customers.

According to data Zenfolio gathered in the State of the Photography Industry Report, 43.6% of photographers reported their revenue reduced significantly (more than 40%), with another 16.2% stating their revenue was reduced a lot (20-40%).

How are photographers making money during COVID?

Photographers are making money during COVID by:

  • Selling prints online
  • Selling digital downloads
  • Creating stock imagery
  • Teaching photography online
  • Working from home (i.e. home studio)
  • Booking clients with social distancing measures in place
  • Booking in advance
  • Selling Photoshop actions
  • Selling Lightroom presets
  • Offering editing services
  • Trying virtual photography sessions
  • Considering full-time employment

It’s important to keep in mind that not every in-person sales opportunity was shut down because of COVID. Some photographers traveled to events where there were fewer restrictions, some sold locally in small boutiques, and some simply sold to friends and family.

While everyone’s comfort level with in-person sales will be different, there were opportunities to sell photography in person while still practicing social distancing and wearing a mask.

Learn more on the Dead Pixels Society podcast

For more on this survey, listen to this week’s Dead Pixels Society podcast with Pamela Vachon and Keith Barraclough about Zenfolio’s recent industry survey of photographers, the changes wrought by COVID, and how technology is changing how photographers work.