The Hidden Impact of Tariffs on Photography - is it too late? Moments of Mood, 2.2

At the time of posting, things are retreating in the tariff landscape but still, the US government's new (temporary or permanent?) tariffs on imported goods are creating a shifting landscape for photographers that could affect everything from gear prices to client bookings. Or are they? Is this just more politic? Another fumbled PR stunt, or maybe even a clever economic negotiating tactic?

Whatever they are, do they affect us as creatives who use gear or may even charge clients for our services and products?

These changes might impact professional and hobbyist photographers differently depending on many things, but understanding the potential effects now can help us adapt before feeling the pressure.

Photographers are often individual solopreneurs so it can be difficult to hear what others are experiencing. I'd love to hear what pressures you're feeling. Are you seeing prices rise already? Have you felt any pressure from clients or suppliers? 

Drop me a comment because even in uncertain times, photography still matters and the people who see the shift early are the ones who last.

Happy Shooting.

____________________

Thank you for listening and for being a part of this incredible community. You can also watch this episode on my YouTube channel (link below) where I also share insights, photography tips and behind-the-scenes content on my channel as well as my social media, so make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok or check out my website for my complete portfolio of work.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the Tariff Impact
• 1:40 Understanding Tariffs and Their Effects
• 4:11 Who Will Feel the Most Pressure
• 6:58 Five Practical Adaptation Strategies
• 9:34 Navigating The Uncertainty Ahead

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:11

you're a photographer, maybe you're just starting out, maybe you're grinding through your third wedding season, maybe you finally launched that course, that book or that business. You've got just enough momentum to keep going, but quietly, without a single notification or headline aimed at you. The ground under your feet is shifting because the US government recently imposed sweeping new tariffs on imported goods, some over 100%. It's changing almost every day, so this could be a redundant video within hours, but nonetheless, this exercise does go to show how the wider world can open up vulnerabilities as well as opportunities, without any direct initiation by us. If you're a working photographer, these decisions might affect everything your gear, your pricing, your clients, your profit, or maybe nothing at all. So, okay, it's almost old news these days about the tariffs. It's been a month or so now since Liberation Day, and before that things had been brewing for a few months, plus. A lot of these tariffs have deferred, paused or some are implemented immediately. So it is a complicated landscape and I wanted to take some time to digest and see how this played out before jumping on the bandwagon to commentate on it. Too many people in our social media, independent media and legacy media worlds jump onto narratives and stories just so they can get clicks and compete in the arms race for the world's attention. So let's just see how this plays out and see what happens. Most of the time, these things blow over or fade into the ether as they were just publicity stunts in the first place. Now, this was not a publicity stunt, even though I think there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. But look, this is not the end of the world. Not everyone's going to feel it, but if you do rely on certain gear or run your business a particular way, this could hit harder than you expect, and that's why, in this episode of Moments of Mood, I want to break it down clearly what's going on, exactly what kind of photographers this will affect the most and what you can actually do about it Real steps, not just vague advice, because this is a complicated situation. So stick around until the end. I'll walk you through five clear actions you can take right now to stay ahead of this and avoid getting caught in the middle. Anyway, let's get into it.

Speaker 1: 2:30

So, going into Q2 of 2025, the US government escalated a trade war, mainly with China, but also involving basically the whole globe. They introduced aggressive new tariffs, which are essentially taxes on imported goods. So a tariff is a tax the government adds to products brought in from another country. So say, this microphone came from China and cost $100 from the manufacturer, there's a 30% tariff. The US importer pays $130 to bring it in. Now, depending on how you buy, this does hit differently. If you order direct from a foreign manufacturer, like through DJI, or directly from that supplier, you become the importer and you'll likely pay that tariff upfront before the product is even released to you. If you buy it from a US distributor, like many of us, through Amazon, b&h, adorama et cetera, they're the importer, but of course they won't just absorb the cost. They'll raise the price and so we'll have to pay for it. So just to recap, so we're totally clear Tariffs are taxes, also known as duties, paid by the importer, which is usually a business, say a photography retailer or distributor, and they're not going to just take the hit, are they? They do what most businesses do, understandably, when costs go up, they raise their prices. So the extra 10, 20, 40% will nearly all the time get added to the final price tag at least a huge portion of it, if not all of it you pay it. This affects more than just new gear, though. It could mean price bumps in accessories, in production tools, in services you rely on, and that pressure it trickles right down to the everyday working photographer. However, we can also adjust to hedge against this, and I'll tell so.

Speaker 1: 4:11

The idea behind all this is to make foreign goods more expensive, so US-made goods become more appealing. It's meant to encourage domestic manufacturing, create jobs, reduce dependence on unstable global supplies, etc. But here's the reality Most camera gear isn't made in the US Not your cameras, not your lights, not your drones, not even your storage. So while the intention might be to protect American industry, the cost is far more likely to land on small businesses, freelancers and everyday creators like us. And whether or not the strategy even works well, that's up for debate, because bringing manufacturing home isn't as simple as flipping a switch. You'd need new factories, supply chains, skilled workers, infrastructure the list is endless and that doesn't happen overnight, and with presidential terms only lasting four years, those policies might not even stick around long enough for any of it to happen. So if you're a US company, would you invest millions into a new factory just to have the next administration pull the plug on tariffs and reopen the floodgates? Yeah, probably not. It's too risky, and that's why most companies don't make big moves during trade wars. They stall, they wait and we usually pay the price.

Speaker 1: 5:30

I mean, here's the bigger picture. We're already deep into a cost of living crisis. Essentials are more expensive, People are tightening their budgets and in times like these, luxury goods and services are the first to go, photography often included. Add a global trade war to that. Well, most economists agree this could trigger a global recession, and if that happens, it's not just gear that gets expensive. It's clients pulling back, bookings drying up and businesses like ours getting squeezed from pretty much every angle. And that's why this isn't just about saving $100 on like a lens. It's about understanding what's coming and preparing for it, just in case, so you don't get caught off guard.

Speaker 1: 6:09

So who's this actually going to hit hardest? Well, if you're a photographer who buys new gear often or uses accessories or equipment made in China, or outsources retouching if anyone does that still these days or printing or fulfillment, or charges flat or fixed fees regardless of rising costs, or ships physical products overseas, et cetera, you're more likely to feel the squeeze. But if you're someone who just shoots locally, buys gear secondhand, uses mostly digital products already owns the core kit you need, you're probably not going to notice anything at all. Either way, the key is to be aware here, because even if you don't feel it now, maybe you will in the future. Your next campaign, your next upgrade, your next price sheet might get affected.

Speaker 1: 6:55

So let's break down where the pressure exactly might show up. Well, most camera brands use parts made in China, right, even if they're assembled in, say, japan, germany or Sweden. Love Hasselblad Tripods, modifiers, batteries, chargers, etc. Usually all get made in China Drones, gimbals and even some computers, right. Same story If you sell prints, zines or books, shipping and customs fees could creep up. Outsourcing to retouchers or editors may mean their rates might climb as their software and gear costs rise. It all kind of trickles down into the ecosystem. Even online platforms or tools, if they're affected by global cost shifts, might raise subscription prices, or they might have an excuse to do so.

Speaker 1: 7:35

None of this is guaranteed, but the signs are there. So what do we do with all of this? Well, you could ignore it and hope it doesn't reach your corner of the industry, or you could try and adapt now, while you still have options. I mean, it's not a world-ending event. But when prices shift, the ones who feel at least are usually the ones who moved first. So let me give you five clear, practical things you can do today to start getting protected.

Speaker 1: 8:04

Number one if you've been thinking about upgrading your gear, do it now. Prices may not spike tomorrow, but the pressure is mounting and it's better to buy now than later, especially essentials. Number two don't panic buy, though. Audit what you actually need. As always, a lot of us buy gear because we think we might need it, but this is a time to be lean. Stick with what works.

Speaker 1: 8:26

Number three rent gear when you can. If you've got a big shoot and need a light you don't own, don't buy unless it's a long-term need. Renting just keeps you nimble in that sense. Number four adjust your pricing if you need to, and if you're a professional photographer who sells their services or products to the public, just know your own slice of the market and adjust with it. Maybe your market is not price elastic, meaning demand won't change too much if price changes. But you can't make these decisions if you don't know your market very well. But if your own costs are rising, don't be the silent prowl type and quietly absorb them forever. Be honest. Educate your clients, talk to them, revise your rate sheet, maybe, and price sustainably. And lastly, be creative. Think differently and create offers that don't depend on imports.

Speaker 1: 9:11

Digital products, local sessions, education, portfolio reviews, local community events or workshops, e-guides, local headshots, blah, blah, blah. These types of things are immune to trade shifts and global shipping chaos. And if none of this affects you right now, well that's great. But at least now you know what science to watch for. And it's entertaining, if nothing else, because, while the situation is moving fast, the pattern is clear. When global economies squeeze, independent creators feel it first. So let's keep the conversation going. I'd love to hear what squeezes your feeling. Are you seeing prices rise already? Have you felt any pressure from clients or suppliers? Are you shifting how you work, or are you just considering this? Drop me a comment. I'd love to learn and see how you're getting on, because, even in uncertain times, photography still matters and the people who see the shift early, well, they're the ones who last. Happy shooting.