Adaptation, Innovation, and Perseverance: Thriving in the ever-evolving photography industry.

April 20th, 2023
2023 SOPI Press Release Header@2x

State of the Photography Industry report: Thriving in the ever-evolving photography industry.

April 2023

Almost 20% of Photographers surveyed in Q1 2023 reported their business had increased from a year ago. However, many are still grappling with the aftereffects of Covid and the impact of rising inflation. 66.6% of photographers reported that their businesses were either slower or performing as expected.

Photographers making at least $100K saw clear revenue increases over the past year. Across all other brackets, 40% reported that revenue decreased. However, this number marks an improvement from the previous year, when 76.2% of all  surveyed photographers had reported a negative impact on their revenue

AI is being embraced by the industry. Almost 50% reported that they have integrated AI into their photography workflows, and only 11% see AI developments as having a negative impact on photographers.  

Marketing strategies have shifted. Photographers are relying more on non-paid or organic social media over paid ads for marketing their business.

Mirrorless Cameras continue to gain ground on DSLRs. Mirrorless cameras are shaking up the professional photography industry, challenging traditional DSLRs. While 50% of photographers still prefer DSLRs, mirrorless cameras are rapidly gaining ground, with 41% of photographers now choosing this newer option. This represents a significant increase of 50.7% in mirrorless camera usage compared to the last survey.

Is AI the solution to photographers’ biggest pet peeve? If photographers could choose one thing to spend less time doing, 41% of photographers want to spend less time editing. 34% say they are using AI to help them with this tedious task.

Read Full Report

Download Report Graphics

2023 SOPI Business Status Branded 1
2023 SOPI AI Branded
COVID Copy

Almost 20% of Photographers surveyed in Q1 2023 reported their business had increased from a year ago. However, many are still grappling with the aftereffects of Covid and the impact of rising inflation. 66.6% of photographers reported that their businesses were either slower or performing as expected.

revenue 1

Photographers making at least $100K saw clear revenue increases over the past year. Across all other brackets, 40% reported that revenue decreased. However, this number marks an improvement from the previous year, when 76.2% of all surveyed photographers had reported a negative impact on their revenue.

ai 1

AI is being embraced by the industry. Almost 50% reported that they have integrated AI into their photography workflows, and only 11% see AI developments as having a negative impact on photographers. 

marketing copy

Marketing strategies have shifted. Photographers are relying more on non-paid or organic social media over paid ads for marketing their business.

camera

Mirrorless Cameras continue to gain ground on DSLRs. Mirrorless cameras are shaking up the professional photography industry, challenging traditional DSLRs. While 50% of photographers still prefer DSLRs, mirrorless cameras are rapidly gaining ground, with 41% of photographers now choosing this newer option. This represents a significant increase of 50.7% in mirrorless camera usage compared to the last survey.

ai 2

Is AI the solution to photographers’ biggest pet peeve? If photographers could choose one thing to spend less time doing, 41% of photographers want to spend less time editing. 34% say they are using AI to help them with this tedious task.

Contributor

  • Cheryl Dell'Osso

    Cheryl is the Director of Content Strategy at Zenfolio and the Owner/Photographer at Portraits by Cheryl and Seniors by Cheryl in Raleigh, NC. Cheryl has mentored countless new photographers looking to build successful photography businesses.

Create your photography website in minutes.