rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

When I worked at a professional photo lab in the late 1990's, it seemed to me that there were just as many professional female photographers as there were professional men photographers at the time. Although sports photographers were predominantly men, portrait photographers were most often women. Especially those who specialized in family or model photography, which requires more personal interaction with the subject.

Perhaps women photographers are less inclined to teach photography or brag about their camera equipment than men, which then makes it only appear as if they are in the minority.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Please see posts # 5 and #7 on page 1 for the answer to your question.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

And why is this scary?

Quixdraw Loc: x

For various reasons, possibly most obvious, the continuation of the species. Birth rates in a great many places are already below replacement level. Like tends to attract like, education being one factor. Children are the future and require support and nurture.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

It's 2021 Folks- It ain't the bad old days.

I have no access to statistics but I am observant. In my professional associations, there are many women who are very accomplished and well-credentialed. Occasionally I speak at various camera clubs where many women are active. In my city, there is a young woman who has excelled in nature and wildlife photography. She has become the in-house photographer for the Canadian Geographic magazine, has won numerous awards and has had her images of polar bears selected for a series of commemorative postage stamps by the Canada Post Corporation.

I really do not believe that women are necessarily better at weddings and children's photography because of their gender. WHEN they are good shooters, and there are many of them, it is because of ther talent and technical skills and there are many men who excel at those specialties as well. The old stereotypes are hopefully gone.

My next-door neighbour is a 25-year old aerospace engineer. The other neighbour is a female Chiropractor. A few years ago, I required some surgery- my doctor (the surgeon) is a lady! When I hire staff, my criteria have nothing whatever to do with gender or sexual orientation. I look no further than their qualifications and the portfolio.

Lately, I have been dog lots of industrial photogrh on construction and heavy manufacturing sites and the ladies are there doing the work!

My marshall arts instructor is a petite and pretty lady! She holds a 4-dan Black Belt.

Even in the old days think of names like Imogen Cunningham, Diane Arbus, Constance Bannister, Dorothea Lange, Anne Lebowitz, Berenice Abbot, Margret Bourke-White, and Anne Geddes- just to name a few!

Listen up guys, y'all better do your work well because the girls are coming for your jobs!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I’m not worried. College is less and less relevant to many men for many reasons.

Many schools have raised their prices and lowered their standards over the years. My 23 year-old twins encountered that. One of them is learning more from watching YouTube than he did in classes. He’s disgusted at the money he spent on intellectual pablum.

The job market has shifted, too, toward technical skills and away from liberal arts. The trades are looking more attractive than at any time since the 1960s began.

I’m sure there are other factors, too.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I’m guessing that the increasing cost (astronomical for top tier schools) of higher education for those that don’t get scholarships is partly responsible for that decline.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Primates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTiZqCQsfa8

That's why they call it "chimping" when reviewing images on the camera immediately after taking them . . .

JD750 Loc: SoCal

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yep. My kid wanted to go to SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, for filmmaking. It was $40,000+ per year. He took one semester and changed course because it was not worth the money. He's at UNC Charlotte now. Most of his classes are virtual, and he's living here, so I get to hear them on occasion. I cringe at the "dumbed downness" of some of them. So does he. He's corrected a professor more than once. That is an awkward and painful thing to do (but necessary!).

I watched an interview with a pro photographer the other day. She has a degree from the (now defunct) Brooks Institute of Photography, but considers it a waste of money. She swears that everything she really learned, she learned on her own, by reading, then doing, and reviewing her work and the work of others. I don't doubt it.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Rolling on the floor laughing!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I'm still waiting to hear from more women here. Come on, please don't be shy.

wide2tele Loc: Australia

Here is what I strongly believe for forums:

There were plenty of women on forums back in the early 2000's of all ages when photography was mostly with film.
Digital photography greatly changed things with alpha-photo-males wanting to demonstrate their expertise with digital photography and digital editing. It was the introduction of GAS.
Forums went from being fun, chatty places about all things photography to becoming all about tech and who is the biggest expert.
With this change came hostility and most women simply didn't want any part of it. The men continued on bickering.

The vibe online completely changed and is quite volatile on many forums today. That forums are mainly used by older enthusiasts makes it even worse. I have learned to stay clear of forums dominated by 60+ year olds for any hobby. I make this place my only exception.

I took a little attention away from modern gear in a couple of posts and must've been attacked for doing so after my first or second post. It's the way it is now. I don't expect women to ever come back in any great numbers unfortunately.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If familiar with the Nikon D3 and D700 you should know that a woman was involved in their development and manufacture.

ELNikkor

I dabbled with the prospect of having photography as a career, but was also interested in being a teacher. Being more art than business minded, it seemed that trying to support myself and a family with my camera might add stress and take away the joy of photography. As a career elementary teacher, I had less stress, more time with the family, and became the go-to school photographer/yearbook advisor/multi-media producer/darkroom technician wherever I went. Best of both worlds for me; no regrets.