A few short years ago the photographic industry was served by a range of support associations covering commercial distributors, retailers, prolabs, professional photographers and keen amateurs.
They say the past is another country, but in putting together this little overview of where we have come from, it’s startling to see just how different a country, and in such a relatively short period of time. As an industry – profession photographers, specialist retailers, prolabs and distributors – where we are today is barely recognisable from where we were just 10 years ago. Just six years ago the industry held an event at the Melbourne Exhibition centre which attracted around 17,00o people over three days – most paying an entry fee – and included the annual APPA awards. Those days have gone. They were gone well before Covid put its spikey foot through the scenery.