If you’re a freelance photographer trying to earn a living taking pictures, and finding photo jobs few and far between during this Covid 19 pandemic, you should read
this story.
Adam Pratt is one of many freelancers who has seen the demand for his services as a photographer decline. As a result he has re-invented his business. He has been able to use his photography skills and training to turn from taking pictures to organizing personal photos for families.
It may not sound as exciting as going out every day shooting in different places and covering different events, but it’s a job with huge and growing demand that can be done mostly sitting at home (in quarantine). One of the beauties is that most photographers already have most of the equipment and skills needed to launch this new career.
One of the advantages of professional photo organizing is that you won’t be depending on large businesses to hire you. You’ll be working for individual families.
There is even a
trade association for this photo organizing type of work. You can contact them
urer. You may also want to read a little more about the association
here.
Expecting Things Will Return To Normal Soon?
If you expect the photo business you knew it to return to normal soon, think again. Waiting it out is not a strategy. It is very likely that it will not just be months, but years before businesses will be able to justify spending the kind of money they spent in the past for photographic services that are often of secondary importance to their main line of business.
There will be fewer meetings and events to cover. In the stock environment there will be lower and lower prices and more use of free images. There will be much greater competition for the little money available.
In July 2020 there were 121.2 million full-time employees in the U.S. down 10.95 million from 132.15 million in July 2019. The full-timers will be first ones to be brought back before companies start spending money on the things freelancers used to do.
In June 2020, of the salaried jobs lost, 21.4% were considered permanent. Those people won’t be finding new replacement jobs soon. Many will have heard that freelance photography is a great way to make some extra money. They will be out there competing for the few available jobs by offering lower prices.
According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics study, in addition to the salaried employees out of work there are between 10.5 and 15 million independent contractors who are not counted among the unemployment or underemployment statistics. Now is no time to wait until things get back to normal. It is time to explore every opportunity that might provide some of the support needed.
A 2018 study conducted by UpWork and The Freelancers’ Union found that 56.7 million people earn some of their living from freelance activities. So if there are 15 million full time independent contractors there are almost 3 part-timers competing with each of the professionals for the available jobs -- mostly by offering their services for less.