Jackson, MI—Following up its recently published 2011 Rise of the Amateur report, PMA released the PMA 2011 U.S. Professional Photographers report, which reveals that “more photographers were offering portrait services, high-school senior portraits and sports photography services in 2011 compared to the prior year, while weddings, bar mitzvahs and preschool photos experienced a negative trend.”
The report also indicates that looking ahead, many photographers plan to pursue less competitive markets, such as commercial, artistic/architectural, preschool and K-11 school portraits.
According to PMA research, more than half of orders were produced at portrait/wedding labs in 2011—an increase over 2010. Usage of all other production methods, including online services, mass retailers, consumer photo labs and quick-print shops, decreased slightly in 2011. Some photographers also produced orders on their own equipment and/or in-studio, mainly for CD/DVD production— trend that increased slightly.
“The PMA 2011 U.S. Professional Photographers report provides photographers and studios with an overview of the professional photography market,” said PMA executive director Jim Esp. “The report reveals trends in market segments, product and output offerings, and methods of production, to help photographers and studios plan business strategies and product development for the future. Making this critically important data available is another way PMA is supporting the growth of the imaging industry, which is our new mission.”
The report is available to PMA members for $99. Nonmembers can purchase the report for $199. pmai.org
