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TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 The Global Digital Photography Market The State of the Professional Photography Workforce Number of Professional Photographers Income Levels for Photographers in the US Photographer Income Worldwide

9 Employment Trends for Photographers Niche Photography Genres Emerging Photography Niches

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How Photographers Generate Revenue

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Photography Equipment and Software

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Technology Trends

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Smartphone Photography

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Photography Education

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The Lingering Effects of COVID

How Photographers Acquire Clients The Impact of Social Media Personal Websites

The Rise of Mirrorless Cameras Camera Brands Drone Photography The Price of Drones Photography Editing Software Market A Note on How AI Works AI in Digital Cameras AI Generated Images Virtual Reality Augmented Reality 360-Degree Cameras

Mobile Editing Apps Photo Sharing Trends AI Impact on Photo Sharing Stock Photography Market Print-on-Demand Photography Market Photography Associations A Shift in Wedding Photography Remote and Virtual Shooting Recovering from COVID


30 Creative Trends in Photography 31 The Challenges Ahead Competition Copyright infringement Intellectual property rights Changing market dynamics Sustainability Ethics

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42 46 50 54 58 62 70 76 80 84 88 92 96 102 106 110 114 118 122

Conclusion

Taya Iv Silvia Travieso John Ricard Julee Ho Scott Smorra Daniel Kordan Sarah & Cédric Christian Brockes Julia Wimmerlin Gim Liu Kristopher Andres Andrei Savin Magali Agnello Angela Garcia Federica Nardese Joas Souza Chris Gray Jenifer Bunnett Alex Vita Geert Weggen Rylan Meadows

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134 138 142 146 150 154 158 162 166 170 174 178 182 188 192 196 200 204 208

Richard Levine Luana Seu Whitney Justesen Daniel Wright Joe Redski Carolyn Cheng Stephen Bartkus Andrew Scrivani Rebecca Sehn Erez Marom Zach Doehler Jay Rowden Rhiannon K. Guy Tal Mitchel Wu Lou Noble Ratish Nair Perrin Adams Darren Smith Cindy Melissa Boisvert Appendix


Photography Trends: 2024 Outlook Introduction Technological innovation, the influence of social media, shifting consumer preferences, and a pandemic combined to bring significant transformations to the photography industry in recent years. These forces will continue to impact photography, at least in the near term. Successful photographers will find ways to capitalize on current trends as they reshape their art and business practices. In this report, we’ll take a detailed look at the state of photography, identify trends, and define the challenges of this dynamic profession.

The Global Digital Photography Market The photography industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with global market size and revenue seeing steady increases.

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According to a report by Dublin-based Research and Markets, the worldwide digital photography market was valued at $109.8 billion in 2022. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is projected to be 4.4 percent through the end of the decade, with a global market value of $161.8 billion in 2030. The growth can be attributed to various factors, including technological advancements, an increase in freelance photographers, and the rising popularity of social media platforms that rely heavily on visual content. North America commands the largest share of the global photography market at 45 percent, with Western Europe at 25 percent of the market; this reflects the purchasing power of the two regions. The Asia Pacific region has a 20-percent market share. South America, the Middle East, and Africa split the remaining 10 percent. After a dormant period during the COVID-19 pandemic, the photography industry has demonstrated strong market size, revenue generation, and continued growth prospects for the coming years. Technological innovations are driving many aspects of this growth, unlocking new channels

of demand across various regions and segments within the industry.

The State of the Professional Photography Workforce Advancements in digital technology and shifting consumer preferences exert an influence on the number of professional photographers working in the field, their income levels, and employment trends within the industry.

Number of Professional Photographers In the United States, 148,900 professional photographers were employed in various sectors, according to a 2022 report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. These photography sectors include portrait, event, commercial, photojournalism, and other genres.

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Income Levels for Photographers in the US The BLS reports that the 2022 median annual salary for photographers was $40,170. The lowest 10 percent earned $26,990 a year, while the highest 10 percent earned $82,450. It’s important to note that these figures vary based on factors such as geographical location and area of expertise within the field.

Photographer Income Worldwide Photographer salaries vary by a considerable amount in countries around the world. Here are the average base salaries by country, according to the California-based Economic Research Institute:

Australia: $32,765 (AUD 50,383) Brazil: $17,103 (BRL 83,798) Canada: $54,674 (CAD 74,713) China: $22,630 (CNY 164,670)

Germany: $59,445 (EUR 55,378) Great Britain: $48,209 (GBP 38,945) Russia: $10,522 (RUB 971,022) South Africa: $19,654 (ZAR 359,162)

Salaries are based on a number of factors, including experience, training, education level, skills, and competency.

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INSIGHTS FROM OUR VISIONARY PHOTOGRAPHY LEGENDS Explore a remarkable compilation of diverse perspectives and invaluable insights into various photography genres as seen through the lens of industry legends. In our 2024 Photography Trend Report, we embark on a riveting exploration guided by the wisdom of 42 distinguished photographers from all around the world. These professionals, leading the charge in innovation and creativity, generously share their profound insights and knowledge, offering a panoramic view of the current and future landscape of the industry within their unique areas of expertise. You will learn about the contents of their camera bags and the latest trends in photographic equipment. They also share their ideal photography mentors, recommend useful resources, discuss their views on the use of artificial intelligence in photography, and provide many more insightful thoughts.

As you navigate through these interviews, you won’t merely uncover answers – you’ll delve into the very essence of each artist’s vision. From overcoming creative blocks to embracing emerging trends and technologies, these photographers disclose the secrets that propel them forward. You will learn their advice to beginners, understand the factors influencing niche selection, and grasp the deep impact these artists aspire to make through their lenses on the world, and their unique perspectives on how photography can contribute positively to the world. Your journey is just beginning. The next page invites you to intimate insights from these visionary photographers, offering an unfiltered look into their creative minds. Flip the page and immerse yourself in the stories, the challenges, and the triumphs that shape the ever-evolving world of photography.

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Taya Iv Russia

Website: photographycourse.net/author/taya Photography Genres: Portrait

Travel

Pet

Wildlife

Fave Camera Brand: Canon

Socials:

What’s in your camera bag? • • • • • • • •

Canon 5D Mark II Canon 80D Canon 50mm f/1.2 Yongnuo 35mm f/2 Canon 135mm f/2, A tripod A remote My smartphone (more specifically, the Camera Connect app on my smartphone).

Are there any specific equipment or gear innovations that you believe will have a significant impact on the industry in 2024? I think that mirrorless cameras will continue to have a massive impact on the photography industry in 2024. They’re much lighter than DSLRs and provide more flexibility, especially when it comes to autofocus and image stabilisation.

Where do you get the latest news on new gear? Where do you usually buy new gear? I get most of my gear news from our Great Big Photography World Podcast guests. Some of our guests need to have the latest equipment to give their clients the best results. That information helps me a lot. As a hobbyist, I don’t typically buy new gear but when I do, it’s used.

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How is photography making the world a better place in 2024? Ph oto graphy is gi vin g p e op l e th e opportunity to express themselves creatively and connect with others. It’s incredible to see the amount of communities that exist in the photography world. There’s something for everyone, which means that even if someone pursues a very specific niche, they’ll be able to make new friends and collaborate with like-minded photographers. Even on social media, photography can be a very enriching experience if it’s used wisely.

What emerging photography trends do you foresee gaining popularity in 2024? Auth enticit y, environ m entalism, an d analogue photography - as popular as they have been in the last few years - will undoubtedly continue to gain popularity in 2024. More and more companies are looking for unedited (or minimally edited) photos these days. As for analogue photography, there’s something special about light leaks, grain, and camera limitations.

If you could pick a photography mentor in 2024, who would you pick? Why? It’s a tie between Woody Lau and Hideaki Hamada. Woody is based in Hong Kong and takes stunning photographs of people. His photos have a lighthearted and airy look that reminds me of Studio Ghibli movies. Hideaki is a Japanese portrait photographer who creates masterpieces in simple locations. No

matter what they photograph, they’re able to tell a story through their photos and put me in a specific mood. It’s magic. It would be an honour to learn from them.

The unavoidable question: How do you see the use of artificial intelligence or machine learning impacting photography in 2024? Like any big change, it will have a significant impact. Some photographers are positive about it, but most of the people I know aren’t happy about this change. However, I believe that there will continue to be opportunities for photographers to express themselves, make money, and contribute to the industry. Being realistic is important, but I genuinely believe that this won’t lead to the end of photography as we know it now.

What is your favorite photographyrelated book or resource that will continue to have a significant impact on your career in 2024? Why? When I was around 9 or 10 years old, my parents bought me a book called Animals Up Close by Igor Siwanowicz, which is a macro photography book with fascinating information about different animals and insects. This was a few years before I developed an interest in photography. I was amazed by the pictures and stories that Igor shared in the book. It’s funny that I never got around to pursuing macro photography, but that book is still a great source of inspiration


Don’t force anything, but be open to learning new things.

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for me. Even as a child, I could sense Igor’s enthusiasm and love for his subjects. When I start to overthink and worry about other people’s perception of my work, I think about him and feel compelled to focus on my passion instead.

Wh a t i s yo u r g o -to m e t h o d f o r overcoming creative block and finding inspiration in 2024? Taking photos just for myself. In the last few years, I found myself thinking more and more about other people’s opinions of my work. Will they like what I posted? How will it look on my feed? What if my work doesn’t get acknowledged? The desire to gain recognition turned into an egocentric mission that took all the joy out of photography. I think it’s very natural to want recognition, but it can get in the way. When I noticed that I was being very shallow, I quit social media. It has been very liberating to do this, but I understand that it’s not possible for everyone. Taking a short break and taking photos for yourself is a good alternative, in my opinion.

If you could give one piece of advice to a beginner in photography, what would it be? Don’t force anything, but be open to learning new things. Make lots of friends by joining photography clubs or forums and don’t be afraid of sharing your work online. At the same time, learn how to enjoy taking photos without needing anyone’s approval.

C a n yo u s h a r e a s p e c i f i c t o o l , technology, or sof tware that has revolutionized your workflow and significantly enhanced your creative process as a photographer? My computer can be quite slow, so Adobe

Favourite photography digital tool in 2024 — Adobe Lightroom Your favourite Photographer in 2024 — Woody Lau Which social media platform do you use the most as a photographer? — Flickr Will you use or experiment with NFT in 2024? — No Do you think the always-improving cameras on smartphones will result in less work for professional photographers in 2024? — No What is your motto for 2024? — “If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”

Photoshop and Lightroom aren’t always my best friends. ExposureX7 takes up less space on my computer and uses less memory, which has significantly improved my workflow and saved a lot of time. It also has a wide variety of bokeh and texture tools that are great for emulating film.

Any thoughts on the relationship of NFT and photography? It has helped many photographers earn money and get their names out there. I’ve seen a lot of outstanding NFT art in the photography category. I like the idea of turning a photo into something collectible, like a traditional painting.

What is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness as a photographer in 2024? My biggest strength is my boldness. I like meeting new people and often reach out to strangers first, which often leads to interesting and eye-opening conversations. Those conversations, in turn, lead to new photography ideas. My biggest weakness is my ego, which loves attention and recognition. After many years of (small but significant) social media recognition, I’ve gotten used to receiving praise for my work. Now, when I take photos, I mostly think about other people’s opinions and how well my photo will be received. I’m slowly but surely getting rid of that pesky ego!

What is the biggest challenge in your photography genre in 2024? What are the solutions? I think that taking unique photos of people can be a challenge. If you want your photos to stand out, you need to embrace your style, which is a very abstract piece of advice. In my opinion, the best way to overcome this

Can you name one unconventional location or setting that photographers shouldexplore to create memorable images? — In their home

is to consistently experiment with different poses, communicate with your model well, and use light creatively. The most important thing is to tell a story through your photos.

What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a photography niche or specialization in 2024? Do you want photography to be your hobby or your job? If you want to pursue photography professionally, it’s important to pick a genre that will help you pay the bills. What kind of services are needed in your region or country? It’s also important to note that the genre you pick has to be something you’re genuinely interested in. That will make it easier to overcome any obstacle that comes your way.

Is there anything else you would like to add or any final thoughts you would like to share about your artistic journey, inspirations, or the impact you hope to make through your photography? Photography is such an incredible world that’s open to everyone. I hope that more people find ways to express themselves through this medium, and I hope that I can contribute to it positively.

You think we missed an important question? Feel free to both formulate and answer that question here! Any final thoughts? Feel free to add them below. Nobody has lived your life. Nobody has your unique skills and interests in one whole package. Use your strengths wisely and work on your weaknesses. If photography is your calling, embrace it fully and don’t let anyone discourage you. ●

One underrated photography technique that can instantly enhance a photographer’s portfolio. — Filling the frame

In your opinion, which photography trend will dominate the industry in 2024? — Analogue photography

What is the most innovative use of technology you’ve seen in photography recently? — Camera to Cloud technology by Fujifilm

Three must-have photography gadgets or tools for aspiring photographers? — Tripod, Adobe Lightroom, and a photo community app for finding inspiration

Which online platform or marketplace is currently the best for photographers to sell their work and reach a wider audience? — 500px

Name one unconventional source of inspiration that photographers should explore for fresh ideas in 2024. — Fictional books that aren’t related t photography

Who to follow on social media or take inspiration from in 2024? — Woody Lau, Hideaki Hamadav

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Silvia Travieso Spain

Website: www.talesofmelancholia.com Photography Genres: Portrait

Conceptual

Fave Camera Brand: Canon

Sony

Socials:

What’s in your camera bag? • • •

Canon 6D mark II Sigma Art 35mm F1.4 Manfrotto tripod

characterized by high contrast yet soft lighting. Arfully unpolished: : a “no-make-up makeup” approach, a casually disheveled look that leaves behind overly staged scenarios.

How is photography making the world a better place in 2024?

If you could pick a photography mentor in 2024, who would you pick? Why?

In today’s world, where digital tools continually blur the boundaries between reality and fiction, I firmly believe that photography’s unique strength lies in its storytelling ability. Images serve as the primar y communication medium for nearly everything, whether edited, polished, or reinterpreted. Photography is intrinsically linked to the human touch and experience; it offers a meaningful connection to reality and the multitude of stories we have yet to tell.

I’m going to cheat a bit and choose two:

What emerging photography trends do you foresee gaining popularity in 2024?

The unavoidable question: How do you see the use of artificial intelligence or machine learning impacting photography in 2024?

Especially in the realm of conceptual/fine art photography, I’ve noticed a craving towards authenticity and unfilterness. Raw & un p o lish e d o utdo or scen ic p o r traiture: A d e p ar ture f ro m th e meticulously curated compositions and color palettes (Wes Anderson-esque) that have dominated recent years. Maximalism & baroque lighting: Embracing dense images full of textures,

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First, Brooke Shaden. Because regardless of the year, she is always a beacon of creativity for the conceptual portraiture realm. Secondly, Rob Woodcox. He has been consistently brilliant for years. But just when you think he’s hit the top, he flips everything around and breaks all the rules bringing the medium to new, innovative depths.

As a conceptual photographer, I’m excited about the possibilities that AI and visual tools bring. They’re expanding the horizons of experimentation, making composite work and editing less reliant on finding the perfect stock image. Photography can’t match the “overperfection” of digital creations, so a shif t toward hyperrealism and raw

aesthetics might be the way for both to coexist in the creative sphere. On the flip side, as AI-generated images gain quality and accessibility, the worth of a photographer’s craf t c o u l d b e c o m e h a rd e r to d i s c e r n . Certain photography niches more than others (stock photography is the first that comes to mind) may feel the impact more significantly than others.

What is your favorite photographyrelated book or resource that will continue to have a significant impact on your career in 2024? Why? It is a bit of a left-field choice, but it will have to be “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” by John Koening. g. While not a photography book per se, my work being heavily conceptual, this collection of his—collection of brand new words to express feelings we don’t have (yet) words for —has been my primary source of inspiration this year, and I’ll carry it into 2024 for sure!

Wh a t i s yo u r g o -to m e t h o d f o r overcoming creative block and finding inspiration in 2024? I toggle between two strategies in this scenario: One is shifting my energy to different mediums or projects, although consciously avoiding those that might frustrate or fuel perfectionism.


The other approach is a “JUST DO IT” mindset. When I’m in a healthy mental state, I directly face the challenge. With paper or an app, I freely note down ideas with zero expectations; something may eventually click. Also, actively engaging in conversation with creative friends and, being a natureportraiturist myself, exploring new locations. If nothing sparks, at least I’ve had fresh air for the day!

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If you could give one piece of advice to a beginner in photography, what would it be?

What is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness as a photographer in 2024?

What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a photography niche or specialization in 2024?

If you’re feeling that creative itch, let it out. Instead of just thinking about it too much, grab a camera and take some shots, whatever comes to mind. Embrace your lack of knowledge, rules, techniques or equipement—just experiment and see what clicks for you, what makes you happier; yes, happier. Try not to aim for perfection as much as you can. Take terrible photos and laugh about it.

I would say my biggest strength lies in, after many years of struggle, finally being able to recognize and embrace my own personal visual style. Being able to communicate through images and telling stories that can resonate with people.

That you like it and feel passionate about it. ●

Do- try- fail- have fun.

C a n yo u s h a r e a s p e c i f i c t o o l , technology, or sof tware that has revolutionized your workflow and significantly enhanced your creative process as a photographer? It may sound silly and outdated, but as a creative-slash-conceptual portraiturist who heavily edits her photos, I can’t believe it took me so long to start editing with a graphic tablet! It completely changed my workflow and made me feel so much more in control of my pieces. As well, staying up-to-date with the new tools and developments in my editing software is crucial to feeling comfortable with my creative process.

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On the flip side, I struggle with the invisible pressure to keep up with the latest trends and the heavy shift towards video content. As an intense editing photographer, I also find it challenging to strike a balance between dedicating an obsessive amount of time and detail to each piece and remembering that we exist in a fast-paced, high-demand consumption cycle of visual content.

What is the biggest challenge in your photography genre in 2024? What are the solutions? Fighting the sentiment of needing to “compete” with AI images, I’m concerned this might lead people and clients to undervalue the effort, process, and craftsmanship behind creating compelling conceptual images.

Just experiment and see what clicks for you.


Favourite photography digital tool in 2024 — Adobe Photoshop Your favourite Photographer in 2024 — Oprisco Which social media platform do you use the most as a photographer? — Instagram Will you use or experiment with NFT in 2024? — No Do you think the always-improving cameras on smartphones will result in less work for professional photographers in 2024? — No

What is your motto for 2024? — “Become it.” In your opinion, which photography trend will dominate the industry in 2024? — Maximalism and boldness. Three must-have photography gadgets or tools for aspiring photographers? — 50mm lense, Photoshop, and YouTube.

One underrated photography technique that can instantly enhance a photographer’s portfolio. — Build your own props. Create your own bank of stock images. What is the most innovative use of technology you’ve seen in photography recently? — All of Adobe’s new features in Photoshop/Lightroom.

Name one unconventional source of inspiration that photographers should explore for fresh ideas in 2024. — Architecture and interior design trends.

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John Ricard United States

Website: www.johnricard.com Photography Genres: Fashion Editorial

Headshot

Portrait

Street

Fave Camera Brand: Nikon

Leica

Socials:

What’s in your camera bag? • • • • • • • • •

Nikon Z9 Nikon Z7 Leica M10 Leica M10 Monochrom Leica M9 Nikon 17-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm Leica 35mm Summilux, 75mm Summarit Profoto A1 flash Profoto B2 Strobes

Are there any specific equipment or gear innovations that you believe will have a significant impact on the industry in 2024? AI being embedded into professional cameras much like it is embedded in cell phones. This will enable even more people to take professional quality photographs quickly and easily. It will be beneficial to the art of photography, but it will also likely be harmful to the professional of photography since more regular people will be able to produce great photographs without hiring an outside photographer.

Where do you get the latest news on new gear? Where do you usually buy new gear? I am a senior writer for Fstoppers, so I get a lot of news there and on PetaPixel. I also follow YouTubers like Peter McKinnon and Tony Northrop. I buy new gear at BH Photo and used gear at KEH.com.

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How is photography making the world a better place in 2024?

experiment and come up with new ways of making art.

I’m not sure that it is making the world a better place. On an individual basis, however, photography allows people to capture their own personal memories, and that is a truly beautiful thing. Photography also helps document social problems, I suppose. A lot of misconduct by police officers has been documented by regular people using cell phones.

The unavoidable question: How do you see the use of artificial intelligence or machine learning impacting photography in 2024?

What emerging photography trends do you foresee gaining popularity in 2024? Cameras will continue to get more and more technological advances. Oddly, a lot of people can’t even operate half of these features. Many of them are not truly necessary to the process of taking good photographs. Autofocus, for example, keeps getting more advanced and more features are constantly being added to cameras. Meanwhile, it isn’t that hard to get an infocus photograph of someone who is just standing in front of your camera posing for a picture. Some of these extra features also take away some of the fun of shooting. The camera does so much of the work that all we are doing is pushing a shutter button.

If you could pick a photography mentor in 2024, who would you pick? Why? Jeremy Cowart. He’s a great photographer and very innovative. He’s always willing to

I have taken online quizzes where they show a series of photographs and ask you to decide which is the real photograph and which is the AI photograph. It is already hard to distinguish between real and computer generated imagery even though the technology is still very new. I can only imagine that AI will get even better with every passing month. It is funny to me that photographers are quick to use AI based retouching programs like Retouch4Me and Evoto to replace retouchers, but then they think AI based technology can never replace the photographer. I think they are mistaken and that AI will replace photographers in some areas. Headshot photography is the area I expect to be hit the hardest by AI generated imagery.

What is your favorite photographyrelated book or resource that will continue to have a significant impact on your career in 2024? Why? No one particular source. I suppose YouTube would be the most logical answer. The only problem with YouTube, though, is that there are a ton of working professionals who are not sharing their workflow or secrets on


I’m unsure about the whole NFT and Crypto thing. I bought 1 NFT from a photographer who would build a whole virtual community for people who bought his NFT, but that project seems to be totally dead in the water. I wasted like $2,000, I think, on that NFT. I don’t think NFTs as we know them today will ever be a thing. I’m hoping Crypto comes back into being profitable. I invested quite a bit into it, but it was a losing investment for me.

What is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness as a photographer in 2024? I am an expert in posing people, lighting and subjects and composing a photograph. My biggest weakness is often a need for more motivation to work on personal projects. I tend to be more motivated by client work than personal work.

What is the biggest challenge in your photography genre in 2024? What are the solutions? One of my main areas of focus is Headshot Photography. AI can already create a headshot for someone if that person supplies a series of self-images to an AI interface. I believe this technology will get better in a year or two. I can see AI having a devastating impact on headshot photography. I see AI hurting this genre more than any other genre. I don’t think wedding photographers, for example, have anything to worry about.

What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a photography niche or specialization in 2024? If you want to make money, pick something boring that people will pay for. If you want to shoot for yourself, focus on photographing YouTube. So, we viewers are often getting a distorted view of the industry because we are learning from bloggers instead of actual working photographers. I know several fulltime working photographers who have never made a YouTube video. These photographers have a lot of valuable information, but it is unshared with the masses.

have something that they are drawn to photograph and share with the world.

If you could give one piece of advice to a beginner in photography, what would it be?

Lightroom was a milestone. I kept wishing for something like that to be invented when I first went digital. Photoshop is designed for working on a single image. LR is designed to manage and adjust thousands of images very quickly. Photo Mechanic is another indispensable program for me. I use it to name photographs, move them into folders and write captions. LR can do these tasks, but Photo Mechanic does it much better.

Shoot what interests you. When I first started shooting, I was always focused on shooting images that I thought would sell. It didn’t occur to me to also photograph whatever I personally found interesting about a scene. I was always thinking about my client first. I think a new photographer should learn their craft so they understand composition and exposure and things like that, but they should also develop their vision and

C a n yo u s h a r e a s p e c i f i c t o o l , technology, or sof tware that has revolutionized your workflow and significantly enhanced your creative process as a photographer?

Shoot what interests you.

Any thoughts on the relationship of NFT and photography? 43


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what you love -dogs, car races, flowers, whatever. To create your best work, you will need to be motivated, which will come from your love of the subject matter.

Is there anything else you would like to add or any final thoughts you would like to share about your artistic journey, inspirations, or the impact you hope to make through your photography? Sometimes, I worry about where photography is headed in terms of being a viable career path for a talented artist. However, my love for using my camera to connect with people and to share their stories has never died. I love taking pictures today as much as I did decades ago. I’m still excited by new technology. Getting my Z9 was as exacting as getting my Nikon F4 so long ago. I am looking forward to eventually getting a Leica M11.

You think we missed an important question? Feel free to both formulate and answer that question here! Any final thoughts? Feel free to add them below. Is there anything you think camera manufacturers are doing wrong? Yes, I think they need to make cameras that are truly different from the other cameras in their lineup. Sony, for example, makes all sorts of A7rMKIV and A7MKIII and A7rMkV. Is there really anything different about these various models? Not really. The images and shooting experience are mostly the same. Leica, on the other hand, made a regular M10, a black and white version of the M10 and an M10 with no rear LCD screen. These two cameras are dramatically different, even though they were variations of the same model. These three cameras were more different than Sony cameras that came out over a period of 5 years. More companies need to be bold enough to make truly unique cameras. Neither Sony, no Canon, nor Nikon makes a really stripped-down, simple ●

Favourite photography digital tool in 2024 — Retouch4Me is working for my headshot photography retouching. However, the interface is not well designed, and the plug-in runs very slowly. If they could make it run smoother and make the interface less ugly, it would be good. Your favourite Photographer in 2024 — Jeremy Cowart. Which photography conference, workshop, event, exhibition, etc., would you recommend to photographers in 2024? — Photo Plus in NYC and anything hosted by BH Photo. Which social media platform do you use the most as a photographer? — Instagram. I do a daily photo project known as a 365 Project there. Will you use or experiment with NFT in 2024? — No Do you think the always-improving cameras on smartphones will result in less work for professional photographers in 2024? — Yes

Can you name one unconventional location or setting that photographers shouldexplore to create memorable images? — Shooting in the rain. Every photographer talks about how weather-sealed a camera is, but you never see photos taken in the actual rain. If you google “photographs taken in the rain,” you see a bunch of photos of rain on a pane of a glass window taken from inside a house. So why is the obsession with weather sealing on cameras if no one is actually shooting in the rain?

One underrated photography technique that can instantly enhance a photographer’s portfolio. — For street photography, stop shooting buildings, funny signs and reflections. Approach people and ask them if you can take a quick portrait.

In your opinion, which photography trend will dominate the industry in 2024? — Selfies -unfortunately. And a lot of videos.

Which online platform or marketplace is currently the best for photographers to sell their work and reach a wider audience? — I’m with Getty Images, and it works well for me.

Must-have photography gadgets or tools for aspiring photographers? — Knowledge of manually setting exposure. Name one unconventional source of inspiration that photographers should explore for fresh ideas in 2024. — Old black and white movies.

What is the most innovative use of technology you’ve seen in photography recently? — Jeremy Coward doing 60-second photo shoots and creating dozens of strong mages in under one minute.

Who to follow on social media or take inspiration from in 2024? — Jeremy Cowart What is your motto for 2024? — “Shoot every day.”

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