Focus 2009 Photographers - Recession? What recession?

OctOPUS Blog: Recession? What Recession?

Photographers are spending Money liberally - but spending it wisely

Business was buoyant and there was a confident atmosphere at the Focus on Imaging Photographic show at the NEC this week. This is remarkably different from the feelings of uncertainty which reigned at the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) convention in London just six weeks ago.

Indeed the difference could not have been greater. At both shows I was on the PXL Soft stand selling Dg Foto Art. Dg Foto Art is arguably the best software for the design of wedding albums and similar photo books, montages etc. It had better be good since at £449* the full Gold version is probably the most expensive. It is used by many Photo Book printers as well as thousands of professional photographers worldwide. Designing albums with Dg Foto Art is much quicker then with a photo editor such as Photoshop and the results can be much better.

What struck me was how well the Gold version was selling - often to people who had not seen the product before - or had just heard of it. There is an entry level version, Essentia which sells at £99*. It is always tricky to guage a prospect - Gold or Essentia. Photographers who do more than 15-20 weddings a year should definitely use Gold. Those who do less could use either. So often I would suggest - “Why not start with Essentia and upgrade to Gold later?” The reaction was often surprising “I’m almost certain to want to go for Gold - so I’ll go for it immediately”. At the SWPP show there was a lot more caution.

Of course there were show discounts and in common with everybody else had discounted our offerings by 20%. Focus is a show when people make deals and buy. But this happens every year - good times or bad, and the level of discounts were no more than normal. Photographers had the money - or used their credit cards - and planned to spend that money wisely. Many came with bundles of £20 notes to save a little more. We were doing well and from what we could see others were doing well too - cameras, lenses, accessories, supplies even training was selling.

What has caused this increase in confidence? This is the time of year when photographers take the most bookings for weddings - and the bookings are coming through. People are still spending money on weddings. Indeed one can take comfort that despite the pressures marriage is still being taken seriously - maybe more so. My wife and I have been happily married for 35 years, so we can take comfort in that! People are looking for stability.

Efficiency is a key driver. Photographers - like many other professionals recognise that the more productive they can be the more they can beat their competition. And competition will increase as amateur photographers lose their city jobs or take early retirement turn pro.

So my conclusion - we are in a time where people will invest, but they will invest wisely. They won’t squander - but they won’t be miserly either.

If you want to know more aboutDg Foto Art read about it on the OPUSalbums.com website. OPUSalbums.com is a UK web-distributor of albums, paper and software for professional and amateur photographers, graphic designers and scrapbookers. Prices above are list prices - web prices are less expensive and the FOCUS show offerings will be held till 25 March 2009.

ã Daniel Roberts, OPUSalbums.com, Rochester England
Tel +44(0) 845 8386 286 e-mail daniel@opusalbums.com

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OctOPUS Blog: Recession? What Recession?

Photographers are spending Money liberally - but spending it wisely

A FEW REATURED PRODUCTS

Innova FibaPrint White Matte Archival Paper 280 gsm - A3 Plus Box of 50 sheets

Innova Double Sided Silky Smooth 100% Cotton High White Paper - A2 225gsm - in box of 50 sheets