State of Photography Industry: Meero

State of Photography Industry: Meero

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New York, NY—A global start-up helping photographers devote themselves and their time entirely to their passion, Meero announced the results of its global State of Photography. The report, developed in partnership with Picter, provides a view into the professions of photography and videography.

With more than 5,000 photographers and videographers across the globe surveyed, Meero’s study reveals that professionals are optimistic about the future of their industries. Moreover, this is despite a challenging landscape. Specifically, 80% of overall respondents feel “optimistic” or “somewhat optimistic.” In addition, U.S.-based respondents ranking slightly higher at 84%.

Other notable takeaways of the study include:

• Consumer photography dominates with nearly 25% of respondents working primarily in the field. This is in comparison to other fields such as advertising photography or corporate photography.
• Customer prospecting is the most time-consuming task, according to a majority of respondents. In addition, more than 90% currently manage their own business development.
• Portraits are the most prominently produced imagery, with 20% of respondents primarily focused on portraits. Architecture as well as design come next, along with travel/lifestyle photos.

State of Photography Industry: Income

In addition, more than 50% of respondents earn less than $11,000 a year from their activities. Income was slightly higher in the U.S. However, nearly 50% of the respondents said income from their activity as photographers and/or videographers has increased.Meero-Number-of-Photography-Missions-in-2019-01

Moreover, Meero believes the low incomes derived from the respondents’ professional activities “are to be compared, in most cases, with the relatively low number of assignments that the majority of them receive.”

Technology

Also notably, in excess of 80% of the respondents stated they predominantly use DSLRs. Smartphones were the second most popular device used by these pros. Meeros-DSLR-useAs far as image production technology, most respondents practice several techniques: 5,000 respondents use digital technology; more than 3,500 use video. What’s more, film received 2,000 responses. Finally, Meero found that 3D and panoramic techniques are less practiced.

The Video Market

The survey also revealed that the “video market is dominated by institutional film and ‘social video.’” Institutional films represent the main market segment for all videographers (26%) across market segments. However, for more than a third of the respondents, it is assignments from private individuals that are the most prominent. Commercial film also plays a significant role, according to Meero.

Market Challenges

In addition, the survey found that in excess of 90% of the respondents take care of their business development. The top challenges encountered are over unclear or poorly defined orders; disputes over quotations; and payment difficulties. Other concerns include difficulties enforcing copyright or license payments, as well as the amount of time devoted to customer prospecting. Meero-Revenue-from-photography_videography-01Despite these challenges, the survey found that on average, 80% of respondents are “optimistic” or “somewhat optimistic” regarding the future of their profession. “Paradoxically, income is not a determining factor in whether or not to be optimistic,” notes Meero.

Meero and Picter conducted the study in partnership with the Kynos Institute and Claude Vauclare. The goal was to provide a global overview of the photography and videography industries and challenges faced by creatives today. Launched in October 2019, the survey received more than 5,000 responses from photographers and videographers across the globe.

Meero

With a global community of 60,000+ photographers, Meero offers a suite of tools dedicated to photographers’ activities as well as on-demand photo production services for major brands. Meero manages all logistics from invoicing to postproduction delivery, helping photographers focus on their creativity.

In addition, the company says that by “providing photographers with gigs to earn additional income; tools to simplify the daily tasks of their job; and inspiration from clients’ work,” it is helping them develop as professionals.

Moreover, since 2016, Meero has provided access to a series of educational master classes, documentaries, meetups with photographers in 35 different countries, a magazine, and a foundation supporting photography worldwide.

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