Is photography a viable job/career these days?

I have no idea as I am just an enthusiast.
But it seems with the internet, dwindling print media and so on, there does not seem many opportunities for young people now.
I guess you could carve out a niche business in weddings,portraiture, product photography etc, but you need business skills and cash to do this.
I ask this because I was chatting to a friend who is a veteran journalist who in recent times is expected to take photos as well. He is a lousy photographer, plus they issue very entry level equipment, he is pulling the pin and becoming a high school teacher.

isabellasophie wrote: I have no idea as I am just an enthusiast.
But it seems with the internet, dwindling print media and so on, there does not seem many opportunities for young people now.
I guess you could carve out a niche business in weddings Photographer Matt Roberts ,portraiture, product photography etc, but you need business skills and cash to do this.
I ask this because I was chatting to a friend who is a veteran journalist who in recent times is expected to take photos as well. He is a lousy photographer, plus they issue very entry level equipment, he is pulling the pin and becoming a high school teacher.

thanks in advance for any help

I am also a hobbyist, but started my own business in another field, and went through self-employment training. My business didn't get off the ground, but from what I learned from self-employment training, the key is to have a viable business idea and unique selling point of differentiation. I am assuming that most photographers who want to be employed in the field are focused on taking photos, so the competition is fierce. At the same time, photo editing software and the digital nature of photography can satisfy the needs of recreational photographers.

However, I believe the key to a successful business in photography is thinking outside the box - looking at areas that are lacking, needs that are not met. For example, many years ago, I booked a personal tour guide-cum-photographer as part of my vacation because I don't have a car, am female and don't feel safe venturing into the wilderness/nature trails alone. It was a wonderful experience, and he even showed me a fossil etched into a rock that not many people knew about. In most recent years, I registered for a day trip offered by a photography instructor which included a carpool to the location, and onsite coaching of achieving the correct exposure. These are the kinds of services that would be very much appreciated by amateurs like me who have additional barriers such as disability and lack of access to transportation. Interestingly enough, there is such a scarcity of such photography businesses.

LensofNature wrote: ...  there is such a scarcity of such photography businesses.

i believe there are plenty of photography workshops out there, who would serve the purpose you suggest..

Razky wrote:

LensofNature wrote: ...  there is such a scarcity of such photography businesses.

i believe there are plenty of photography workshops out there, who would serve the purpose you suggest..

Not in my area; I've searched high and low.  Maybe it's a post-COVID thing.