How Today’s Photographers Are Killed by Fast Publishing and Trends

Posted on: 11-19-2015 Posted in: Photography

Photography, taste and styles move at warp speed these days — and most working photographers simply can’t keep up with the current (and future) trends. It’s not tough to find examples in a few photographers who ruled the markets at one time and realize that most of them have disappeared and been replaced. Many call it the evolution of life and others see it as falling off the photography bandwagon.

“I was told very early in my own photography career, ‘When you stop growing and have reached the ceiling when it comes to style, you’re done!’”

This clearly is something that none of us wish to happen but it does and will happen to most of us.

Today’s photographers aren’t ‘nimble’ enough.

The problem is that most mature photographers with expensive studios and photography gear are just too slow in today’s lightning-fast publishing world to change their ways and adapt to the new trends in the photography market. If your early days’ bets don’t pay off, the results can be painful.

“They’re not nimble enough for the competitive photography market to harvest clients and introduce new styles. The new style and wave of photographers are beating them at their own game.”

Suspended in time

Many photographers who rely on their past career highlights simply cannot cross over to the new publishing world and are often suspended in time. It is very hard to watch as big names fall as the world disappears beneath their feet after 30-plus years in the industry because they allowed themselves to become blind by relying on the past formula and clients. The clients also grow and seek new fresh ideas that keeps their products popular.

Style evolution from 1900 – 1990s

A simple fix could resolve it all, but as the topic states, career photographers find it very challenging to reinvent their heydays and style. Playboy aside, an average working photographer career on top of their game is no longer than 3-5 years. It may have taken 10 years to get the stars to align to get to that point. And after their career peaks, lining up new stars may be slow to continue if they do at all.

How to beat our worst enemy?

Some of us will never even get to the level to meet “Our Worst Enemy” but for those who have, it’s imperative to know time and style and where the publishing industry is taking us. Following fashion and trends which are changing lanes at lightning speed, should become your main interest, regardless if you are a new emerging or a seasoned photographer who wants to keep enjoying a substantial income with your camera and vision.

Don’t photograph to make money! Make money so you can photograph!”

Re-invest in yourself and don’t rely on your old dog & pony-show tricks that have worked for the past decade as far as lighting and style goes. This is not just a message to fashion and commercial photographers but also a clear message for glamour photographers who should look into more trendy results than just simple girl pictures we see on social media. Invest on your turnaround for further studies, productions to add key-value to your next shoot.

First you need to learn lighting and style! And then you need to master it!”

Take this for example: only less than 5-10% of all posts by photographers on our own STC Fan Group remotely qualify for any publishing opportunity. We at Shoot The Centerfold understand the power of male testosterone and the nature of men who adore the female form. Not everyone cares about publishing nor is everyone a photographer. But, if your aim is to be part of the successes in the photography business, make sure not to be misled by your own fabrications and social media applause.

Don’t get me wrong! We all like posting the images and getting feedback and public opinion does matter to an extent. But never forget this is not the highest form of validation among professional publishing houses. Social media is a great tool for marketing but ask yourself how may serious publishers have liked your images lately?

The greatest challenge for newcomers has always been a general lack of knowledge or understanding when it comes to style and trends. And as time marches on for the seasoned photographers, their greatest hurdle is not being able to recognize and embrace the new style. Becoming blind to the future is our worst and very visual enemy. It creeps in and we don’t even see it coming when everyone else does!

steve-jobs-clothes-568 Steve Jobs was so far ahead in technology and style, that he chose to forget his own appearance.

What drives us in glamour photography by numbers

Sexuality – 90%
Girls – 82%
Sex – 78%
Social media – 71%
Actual Photography – 48%
Publishing – 34%
Lighting – 19%
Photography business – 11%

There’s no surprise in these numbers, we sell images with attractive women in them. But if your own success comes to question, reverse the list should be your most important order. This study is based on (1000) photographers between 2010-15.

Whatever your achievements and goals may be, the foundation of your photography, styling and lighting can be old. But recognizing trends and knowing what is current in the publishing world, will serve you well whether you’re old forgotten goods or the new shining star!

Jarmo Pohjaniemi