Here's a long but very good read that applies even to photography in the Philippines: http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/2014

"it's quite possible to make more money these days as a top wedding photographer than it is as a top advertising photographer"... Ma'm Harvey, i hope this is not true here in the Philippines

"The challenge is to find a way to continue to produce quality original content, and to connect with your audience - not to hold on to the old, traditional way of doing things. So while the cloud may be falling - there's plenty of blue sky above - and the possibilities are endless." ... scary to know that anybody could become photographers at an instant with the new technologies but this is a challenge most of the Pro's have to face.

Thank you for a good morning read Ms Harvey:)

Very interesting read Ma'am Harvey and thanks for sharing.:)

Yes we in the broadcast industry (radio) feel this crunch too with advertising agencies cutting back on placements and pouring it all on billboards.

But what really ticks me off is the practice of some ad agencies not paying "on time" and using the advertising money already paid by clients to use in other "endeavors". In one case that we have, a big mall operators' ad agency still has accounts with us that is ONE year overdue. That is way over the usual long 120 days aged account.

This practice was prevalent in the 80's but was curbed down in the 90's and it's now going full swing again. When we report the ad agency to the proper "body", they retaliate by pulling out their other placements until the client themselves order them to put the ad back.

They feel like they are God's gift to the media entities and that we should kiss the very ground they walk on but in reality they can't see that we need other to survive.

I'm sorry if this feels like a rant. :)

Time to reengineer your skills (read: tara mag wedding photog na tayo :D). Better yet, learn videography and interactive photography (it's the future :>).

I personally know an advertising photographer who decided to just leave the country and switched careers because the big agencies are delaying their payments.


Time to reengineer your skills (read: tara mag wedding photog na tayo :D). Better yet, learn videography and interactive photography (it's the future :>).

People will always pay for their own pictures no matter how good or mediocre it was taken, a micro perspective of this would be that photographers at events who are not official photogs but sell you your 'portraits'.. thats quick bucks.

Wedding photographers also are paid in advance (30%-50%) prior to the job whilst most ad photogs, like the one i know waited 2 years after the project for his payment.

thanks for sharing mrs harvey!

but what really really caught my attention was: "We're so focused and passionate about what we do that we often don't see how much opportunity there is in the world of photography'

recession is a life-cycle in the US. it's been that way for a long time. and just like mr laforet, those with open minds and those who are open to changes will tough it out. heck before the dot com years, times were tough too!

rules of the game is changing and the playing field is getting more diversed, but the skills and discipline it takes to play the game remain the same. photographers are here to stay...... well, at least in our lifetime :)

"it's quite possible to make more money these days as a top wedding photographer than it is as a top advertising photographer"... Ma'm Harvey, i hope this is not true here in the Philippines

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It certainly is, and the payment terms are much better, too.