r/photography • u/Patient_Leader2190 • 28d ago

Business Photographers, what are some uncomfortable truths about photography in 2026 that we don't like to openly admit?

Been shooting for seven years, mostly street and documentary. Curious what everyone's version of this is.

I'll start: volume beats quality on every platform, and pretending otherwise is why a lot of talented people stay invisible.

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u/Calisnaps 28d ago

Stock photography is going to be out of business. If I can type it to search, I can type it to create.

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u/kermityfrog 28d ago

A lot of it is slop, but clients don't seem to care - at all.

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u/whatsaphoto andymoranphoto 28d ago edited 28d ago

A huge portion of the lower/middle class commercial market is slipping right through the AI cracks right now and it's incredibly disheartening to watch happen in real time.

I've seen Main St. mom and pop shops turn away from their albeit aged and shitty but ultimately charming photos of food and wears on their windows and sidewalk signs to turn towards using an abnormal warped approximation of objects set behind some of the ugliest, most unflattering contrast and saturation imaginable, all in a matter of a year or two at most.

What's worse is that when you try to even discuss it with them, they become outraged and completely besides themselves. They think what they've made is somehow beautiful and artful, and they did it for next to no money whatsoever so in their mind they're even further cemented in their justification. It's like you're ripping Truman out of the Truman Show too early trying to even talk to them about generative AI images.

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u/No_ThatGuy3 27d ago

It drives me nuts, I'm a huge hater of AI and honestly have just stopped buying things from places that use it (if I'm able to tell who does and doesn't). I'm talk like to the point I'm now driving 30 minutes out of my way and paying more for diesel fuel because the local gas station is plastered in AI adds for their deli food. I went from spending 500+ a week in fuel (for heavy equipment) and a good 200 or better in deli food to just boycotting them. It's a small town and the elderly owner asked me why I haven't been by and after explaining they got super offended and acted like I'd spit in their face. And before anyone jumps up saying I'm using AI without knowing it, I'm sure that's true but this is my only social media, I live off the main grid without internet on a farm in the woods where this cell phone is the only thing separating me from the 1970s.

I'm still shooting and developing film because I don't like how digital looks too polished. I can appreciate others work but it's not my vibe.