Is Photography Still a Profitable Business in 2025? Let’s Be Honest

Hey everyone,

I’ve been doing photography for a while now, and man… this industry has changed a lot. AI generated images, social media taking over, and way more competition than ever. It’s got me thinking,is photography still a solid business in 2025, or is it getting harder to make real money?

Here’s what I’ve been noticing:

AI vs. Real Photography : With AI tools like MidJourney and Photoshop’s generative fill, people can create photos without a camera. But do clients actually trust AI images, or is there still demand for real photographers?

Race to the Bottom with Pricing : Feels like everyone with a smartphone is calling themselves a photographer now, and some are charging ridiculously low rates. Does competing on price even work anymore, or is it all about finding a niche?

Social Media is King (But Exhausting?) : Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok bring in a lot of business, but they also take so much time. Should photographers still rely on social media, or is SEO and word of mouth a better long term game?

Making Money Beyond Client Shoots : A lot of photographers are now selling courses, licensing images, or even doing content creation for brands. Are these just side hustles, or can they actually replace traditional photography gigs?

I know photographers aren’t the only ones dealing with industry shifts. If you run any kind of creative business, how are you adapting? And if you're in a totally different industry, what’s working for you when things change?