Taher Husain K, Director and Founder, Amour Affairs highlights impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Photography Industry.
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Taher Husain K, Director and Founder, Amour Affairs |
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has
had some really unexpected consequences around the world. It has impacted the
so-called normal routines, the economy, household expenditures, teaching
methods and every business that was up and running. The initial lockdowns in
India were almost treated like a holiday break for the masses. The struggle of
survival or rather the thought of income that was faced by the lower income
population from the beginning slowly started spreading its tentacles into the
business owners’ thoughts as well. The extended
lockdowns did nothing to help. So, the creative brains out there started coming
up with ideas to keep the businesses afloat. But that stays relevant only to the
businesses that can work digitally, that can operate using the digital
platform. These businesses can perform at-least a part of their usual routines
using online media.
had some really unexpected consequences around the world. It has impacted the
so-called normal routines, the economy, household expenditures, teaching
methods and every business that was up and running. The initial lockdowns in
India were almost treated like a holiday break for the masses. The struggle of
survival or rather the thought of income that was faced by the lower income
population from the beginning slowly started spreading its tentacles into the
business owners’ thoughts as well. The extended
lockdowns did nothing to help. So, the creative brains out there started coming
up with ideas to keep the businesses afloat. But that stays relevant only to the
businesses that can work digitally, that can operate using the digital
platform. These businesses can perform at-least a part of their usual routines
using online media.
But that does not stay true for the
Photography industry. Yes, our editing happens on the desktops which can be
done from home. Yes, we can send you the data using mails. Yes, we can have
discussions using video chats. But where do we get our raw material from? It is
not like we can take photographs using the video chats. The physical presence
of the photographer during an event or a social gathering is still important.
Photography industry. Yes, our editing happens on the desktops which can be
done from home. Yes, we can send you the data using mails. Yes, we can have
discussions using video chats. But where do we get our raw material from? It is
not like we can take photographs using the video chats. The physical presence
of the photographer during an event or a social gathering is still important.
The lockdown did make every-one take a
pause and catch up on all the pending work. Like others, we too have been
clearing our desks. The photography industry, especially in India is dominated
by the wedding industry and this one was supposed to be impervious to any and
every factor. Weddings are still happening, just on a smaller scale. But this
pandemic has put people in a fix. Any kind of bookings that had been done,
would have been done, are not happening. Understandable that nobody would want
to put their near and dear ones in the risk zone.
pause and catch up on all the pending work. Like others, we too have been
clearing our desks. The photography industry, especially in India is dominated
by the wedding industry and this one was supposed to be impervious to any and
every factor. Weddings are still happening, just on a smaller scale. But this
pandemic has put people in a fix. Any kind of bookings that had been done,
would have been done, are not happening. Understandable that nobody would want
to put their near and dear ones in the risk zone.
But till then, there are certain things
that you could do to be a pro at handling the current situations:
that you could do to be a pro at handling the current situations:
Online Presence: Launch your website. If you already have one, update it with all of your
latest covers. Upgrade it to represent your current self.
latest covers. Upgrade it to represent your current self.
The first thing that anyone does is to check out your website and your
Instagram handles. Make sure they are updated!
Instagram handles. Make sure they are updated!
Reconnect: Call your old clients, get back in touch. You never know who they might
connect you with. You might get a few references out of the calls or even a few
return clients.
connect you with. You might get a few references out of the calls or even a few
return clients.
Google Listings: Make sure you have a good Google profile with reliable reviews. That way
you make it to the top page of the search list. Because when you don’t know
where to look, you Google it! And you or rather your reviews should pop out
there.
you make it to the top page of the search list. Because when you don’t know
where to look, you Google it! And you or rather your reviews should pop out
there.
Active: Stay active! Keep reminding your social media family that you are still
here. Use your Instagram, Twitter, Whatsapp to its strength. Keep posting, use
the relevant hashtags, keep texting. This would keep you on the foreground of
people’s thoughts. People are at home now and they are spending a lot of time
surfing the internet. Make it count for you!
here. Use your Instagram, Twitter, Whatsapp to its strength. Keep posting, use
the relevant hashtags, keep texting. This would keep you on the foreground of
people’s thoughts. People are at home now and they are spending a lot of time
surfing the internet. Make it count for you!
Precautions: Take all the precautions necessary. Do not put yourselves or anyone
around you at risk. It is your job, it is your passion, so do not let it become
your downfall.
around you at risk. It is your job, it is your passion, so do not let it become
your downfall.
The most important part of it is that
you stay passionate about your work and it will show. There is an unsaid reason
why people hire photographers and that reason isn’t going anywhere. Show the
world that you are here to stay with all the safety precautions. Everyone
has access to the best compilations and the best possible frames that the
photography world presents. So, utilise this ample amount of time and stay
ahead. It would take more than a few certain months post the COVID eradication
for this industry to bounce back to its glorious days. But till then, we wish
all the power and blessing to be with everyone. This is the making of the new
Normal. Happy normalization!
you stay passionate about your work and it will show. There is an unsaid reason
why people hire photographers and that reason isn’t going anywhere. Show the
world that you are here to stay with all the safety precautions. Everyone
has access to the best compilations and the best possible frames that the
photography world presents. So, utilise this ample amount of time and stay
ahead. It would take more than a few certain months post the COVID eradication
for this industry to bounce back to its glorious days. But till then, we wish
all the power and blessing to be with everyone. This is the making of the new
Normal. Happy normalization!
(Taher
Husain K is Director and Founder of Amour Affairs. Views expressed in the article are of the author.)
Husain K is Director and Founder of Amour Affairs. Views expressed in the article are of the author.)
