What hobby photographers often fail to realise

Clear message.

I’m an avid amateur photographer myself and I also occasionally visit an event. I sometimes post a photo on, for example, the FB page of the event in question.

This sometimes results in the question, may I “have” that photo, for the wall or even for an interview in the newspaper. What would you like in return is then the follow-up question. Oh, a photo credit is enough. It strokes the ego when a photo is considered beautiful.

Perhaps somewhat naively, I do this out of modesty, because I’m not a pro. And actually I think, if I ask money for it I’m taking the pro’s seat. Taking their bread away, so to speak.

The message above is then a different one. As an amateur I then have two choice's. Either I stop doing it and keep the photos solely for my own enjoyment or I ask a market-rate price for them.

Gives one something to think about.

For me it is a hobby with which I make the people around me happy and I am really not a professional yet, although it is getting better and better. I see the albums I post on FB reflected in thank-yous, sharing them and setting them as profile pictures, and even some people who want to have the original. Unfortunately, every now and then I also see flyers from clubs that have used your photos for that purpose without asking. I don't need to be paid for it, but if it is heading towards a commercial purpose, then indeed the simple question of whether it is allowed is quite desirable.
On the other hand, I also see many albums of the same events appearing online on FB by others. Lots of photos that have not been cropped, shot on the auto setting or even taken with a mobile phone, fine work for people who want to look back on the event in the form of a photo report, but no masterpieces to be seen in the reactions and sharing behavior either.
But I think that the professional photographer who uses this work as a business model is under heavy pressure due to the low prices of much of the current photographic equipment with reasonably good quality, but also due to the quality of current mobile phones.
Everyone with an entry-level DSLR can already call themselves a photographer (and I know them....)

Nice and clear piece, Huub. I used to do a lot of sports photography and everyone could get the photos through my site. I haven't done that for quite some time now. Every now and then I still give something away, but that's mainly for a volunteer organization where I am a volunteer photographer. Besides that, as a passionate hobbyist I find it difficult to set a price. Am I not undercutting the professional photographer's work, and is my work of good enough quality. Nowadays I do dare to simply ask 100 euros if someone wants a shoot. They then get 5 good photos. Some think it's expensive and then I do indeed explain everything involved before there is even a photo ready. Then they understand it, but still think it's a lot of money. Then just take them yourself with your mobile phone, it's cheaper. But then they don't think that's the point either.

Some of this is of course also a consequence of the changing world. In the past, when photos still had to be made in a darkroom, a lot more was involved in making good-quality photos. Nowadays, besides digital cameras, digital editing with Lightroom has also become much more accessible to everyone. Through YouTube, anyone can learn all kinds of photography techniques. So the hobby photographer can also take very beautiful photos.
I regularly take photos of my grandchildren. I am not going to say to my son and daughter-in-law afterwards "If you also want photos like these, you should go to a professional photographer." That is not going to work.
That the profession of professional photographer is coming under pressure as a result is, in my opinion, a logical consequence. Just as the existence of a whole lot of shops is coming under pressure because of the enormous number of webshops.
Welcome to the (angry) digital world of the 21st century.
I'm afraid that the profession of photographer will die a slow death. Unfortunately. Only those photographers who can still really distinguish themselves will find their place. But then it is more a matter of an art form than of photography.
It's not that I hope that will happen, but once again, I think it is a logical consequence of our changing world.

A lot of information, actually everything to be judged as right, or not right; to my feeling there is a disruptive element in the differences of opinion, and that is the electronics. Or the technology, if you like. Everyone can operate a button on a camera.. just as earlier everyone could pick up one or more brushes, but whether a beautiful painting came out of that... And now people produce with that button, but a forger in the past had considerably more work to do than stealing images.. Recognizing a real artist is becoming more difficult. Fortunately I know a few..

Clear story.
After having photographed as a hobby for more than 50 years, I made the decision when an opportunity arose. Since November last year, I have made photography my profession and until March 1, 2020, I will continue to have my job alongside it. After that I will stop working for an employer (after 48 years) and devote myself fully to photography for the years until I am entitled to AOW.
In the meantime, I am taking the professional training course at the Fotovakschool in Apeldoorn, and I am also taking various workshops to expand and improve my skills and interests.
Although the assignments are not exactly pouring in yet, I do charge a business rate. In the end, you do have to earn back your time and investments. I also notice that it is quite difficult to get assignments, but occasionally holding a lucrative promotion day does help to get more assignments.
Above all, lots of networking, so that people know who the person behind the photos is and want to entrust you with those assignments.
With a small early retirement, it should work out. I am looking forward to it and have confidence in it.

Don't put photos online like on Facebook, Instagram or Flickr without a watermark on the photo.
Guaranteed that it will be removed and placed on a website under their own name.
And no, placing your name somewhere at the bottom or top isn't recommended either.
When I'm on photo websites, I see often enough that they have either cropped the photo or made it unrecognizable.
That's why it's wise to simply let the text run right through the photo, whether transparent or not, but readable.
Don't want too much spam in your mailbox? then create a separate (G)(e)mail(*) address, but never post your personal information such as your phone number.
If they want to use your photo, an email is easiest, only when you're 100% sure that everything is okay can you give them a phone number.
*Gmail has a spam filter that you can set yourself.

Still, a little "counterpoint". The world around us is constantly and rapidly changing. An entrepreneur sometimes really has to start undertaking something, otherwise he/she will go under. It's brutally hard but it is the reality. (your figures and facts confirm that, by the way) Plenty of examples of professions that have to deal with this. I see it that way with photography too. Where it used to be a profession that required explicit knowledge and equipment, in today's digital age anyone can take a photo. Even with a phone you can sometimes take decent pictures. As a hobby photographer I can still see the difference and certainly appreciate it, but the majority of people don't look at a photo that way. With the rise of social media and mobile phones that everyone seems to be glued to, photos are also saying less and less. After all, an enormous mountain of digital information (including photos) passes by every day. Just try standing out with your photo. And yet that is the art. A good photographer is also distinctive. Takes photos that do stand out from the rest. That also catch the attention of people who don't know anything about it. It will only become more difficult to earn money as a photographer. More and more hobbyists call themselves photographers and that's fine too because nowhere does it say that you have to have attended photography school to call yourself that.
According to me, it is not much different from what the real bakers and butchers experience. With the rise of supermarkets, they too have to hold their own. Fortunately, the true gourmet tastes the difference and wants to pay for it. Perhaps that's how it works with photography too.

Article with recognizable actions and reactions. Good for creating awareness and understanding among both hobby photographers and (future) clients. I would therefore also like to share the article on my Facebook page, but I don't see a share button. Is there another way I can share this article?
Kind regards,
Klaske Kuperus

It is a wonderful piece that I am already fairly aware of as a hobby photographer, and of course I have a lot of respect for professional photography/photographers, which I might also like to grow towards. Of course, there are also plenty of situations involving small organisations or foundations, clubs that do not have money for a professional photographer, such as at athletics and running events.
I recognise this at the RC model flying club I am a member of, where the membership is also declining.
I do think there should be better interaction between professional and hobby/amateur photography and that everyone can do their part without getting in each other’s way. And that this kind of piece should appear more on social media to raise more awareness as well, and I think especially among other people who are just starting out with photography.

https://ikwileentrouwfotograaf.nl /Patrick: A nice article, it's actually strange that the profession of photographer is so undervalued. I have the idea that this is also changing, to the photographer's detriment.