The popularity of prize exhibitions and the demand for education, training and apprenticeship are clearly not symptoms of a dying industry. Indeed, despite casualties suffered in recent years, the press photography agency trade remains a vibrant one. Both domestically and internationally, agencies have maintained distinctive identities which are reflected in the services which they offer. The Internet and Google (with many agencies utilising Search Engine Optimisation strategies) has been used innovatively as a tool for self-promotion and, through the digitalisation of picture archives, as a way to maximise income. London Photo Agency (operated by UNP) aims to promote the traditional working methods and values of press photography and is thus likely to be warmly welcomed in a marketplace which still, above all else, demands a quality end product.
However, the threat posed by subscription services remains a significant one and the inevitable winding-down of the print media, together with the long-term instability of the global economy are factors only likely to exacerbate this challenge in the future. Income diversification (for example, UNP's increased focus on corporate work) has proved to be a key weapon in battling the financial squeeze, but the agency sector will have to do more than this if it wishes to hold onto and improve upon its position in the industry over the coming years. In addition to simply providing a quality product, press photography agencies must continue to maintain a commitment to technological advancement and uphold the high levels of creativity and innovation which have characterised their businesses historically.
By Michael Smith, University of Leeds, England, UK
© Michael Smith 2010