Potential clients included the contracting publication. For a number of years, photojournalists did fairly well in this relationship, although few could be considered financially well off. Similar developments affected other creative fields, and by 1976 our country had revised its copyright laws to better protect independent creators against predation. Apparently, that wasn't enough. Space payments are evaporating, and acts such as those that prompted the Tasini case, along with contracts containing obtuse wording that entice the uninformed to sign away their copyrights, have eroded our profession to the point that precious few folks can feed their families on editorial fees.
Many talented photojournalists leave the profession after only a few years.
Most of us who remain, including myself, must photograph corporate assignments, commercial projects, even weddings, in order to pay for our documentary photography habits. My Modest Plan to Profit - You're a businessman. You understand every business activity carries with it costs. In my case, I have done a little computing of what it would take me to earn enough money to declare my business viable. Furthermore, I must charge my expenses to a credit card, which requires payment within 30 days or less.