Hello readers! It’s been a while since my last post, and I’m excited to share what I’ve been up to! Life took quite a turn for me when I lost my full-time job in November 2023—a job I was thankful for because it let me flex my creative muscles with photography on the side. But in that moment of change, I discovered a new passion: product management.
Kicking off 2024 with a fresh perspective, I enrolled in the Applied Product Management program at SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology). By April, I completed the course, fired up with motivation to land a job in this new field. But here’s the twist: job hunting for a position you don’t have direct experience in is tough. The generic resumes that once worked are now ancient relics. These days, it’s all about customization, keyword strategy, and emphasizing impact over job descriptions. Learning that was a journey in itself, so I put my photography business on the backburner to focus on mastering the job application process.
My ultimate goal remains to become a product manager, but I’ve realized I can channel the same dedication into my photography business. I’m treating it as my very own product development project, where I can practice the skills I’ve learned. From managing time and setting priorities to applying my product management expertise, this project will allow me to blend my creative and analytical sides.
Speaking of research, let’s dive into some current data on the photography industry in Canada:
- Portrait and event photography are still at the forefront, despite the increasing capabilities of smartphone cameras. This is driven by rising disposable incomes and people’s desire to have life’s milestones captured professionally.
- Ontario leads the industry, thanks to its dense population and the presence of major advertising agencies that boost demand.
- Statistics Canada noted in August 2024 that household spending on photography services has nearly halved from a decade ago, potentially due to a decrease in marriages and families—two major events that historically drive photography needs.
- On the bright side, sales of cameras and photographic equipment rose by 1.1% in the first quarter of 2024, bringing in $242.4M in revenue. My guess? A growing number of photographers in the country, among other factors.
- Solo-run photography businesses dominate the market. By December 2023, there were 10,028 such businesses compared to 1,457 with employees.
- The number of print and picture frame shops as of December 2023 also tells us that there are 539 retailers in every province except Nunavut.
These insights give a broad view of the industry, but what about running a small photography studio in rural Alberta? For my next project, I’m zeroing in on how to boost leads. Who is my target audience? What’s causing the low numbers in inquiries? If you’ve made it this far, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the challenges of generating leads in small-town photography businesses.
Until next time, stay creative and stay determined!
