This is a tough post to write but I felt the need to express some feelings about how this recession is affecting not only my photography business but just about every photographer I know. Here’s the truth:
After the shut-down, it seemed like I was busier than ever! I was in my second studio at the time and just kept busy all the time! Consumers valued the time spent together with family and everyone wanted to document it! It continued like that through 2022 but then in Spring 2023 things began to shift. I suddenly hit a quiet time. Generally right after the holidays, it quiets down but this was different… it lasted through June. When I spoke to other photographers, it was pretty much the same across the board. People who were booked solid found themselves available.
Since then it’s been a slow decline in inquiries and definitely bookings. I could no longer afford my big, fancy studio, and I had to downsize in Feb. 2024 to a space less than half of what I was in before. It honestly sucked. And, it’s not just me! Just about every other photographer I know is struggling to book clients. And, all the vendors who specialize in making the beautiful hand crafted props for our business are now closing. They cannot afford to keep their businesses open anymore.
The recession has changed our industry. If this continues, photographers like myself who have been trained and have a ton of experience in the world of newborn photography are going to be forced to quit. I have put my blood, sweat and tears into my business, gone above and beyond, forwards and backwards for my clients but after 9 years of doing this full time, I am now looking at throwing in my towel.
Most consumers do not realize how expensive this business is. I have a ton of overhead. Just because I shoot digital does NOT mean it’s cheaper- it’s actually just the opposite! Shooting time is only a small fraction of the time I spend on a session. There’s a ton of hours and work and money that goes into creating this art. I have literally spent thousands each year maintaining my business. The money I take home is worth minimum wage. Why do I do this? Simple answer…. Because I love it. I am passionate about creating memories for families that will last them forever.
But now, it’s the one person against the machine. Every time someone opts for a cheap deal with someone who is inexperienced and is undercutting our business or goes with a big business it affects me and everyone I work with. If you have ever worked with me, you know how many extras I give and bonuses I include for no extra. I should have never done that, but I have never priced myself the way I should have because I’m invested in my clients. I’m a creative human being, not a business machine. And, I’m just not sure how much more I can take of it when there’s food to be put on my table and inflation has seriously affected me. This is our livelihood. It is how we support our family. So, this is my plea to please support a small, experienced business when considering a photographer.
