IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

IIARD International Journal of Economics and Business Management (IJEBM )

E-ISSN 2489-0065
P-ISSN 2695-186X
VOL. 11 NO. 3 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijebm.vol.11.no3.2025.pg129.149

---

Smartphone Photography and the Low Patronage of Commercial Photographers in Nigeria

Ezeilo, Florence Ijeoma and Ike, Romanus Chukwuma

---

Abstract

This research empirically focused on discovering the effect of smartphone photography on the low patronage of commercial photographers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state of Nigeria. The significant changes brought about by emergence of smartphone technology in the twenty-first century are felt across all aspects of life. While the business world has experienced both advantages and challenges due to this innovation, commercial photography, in particular, has been adversely affected. The advanced and sophisticated inbuilt cameras of modern smartphones turned all smartphone owners to photographers, enabling them to take their own photos and arguably reducing the demand for professional photographers. It was against this backdrop that three objectives were established, each with corresponding hypotheses to test the claims. Two hundred and twenty-two participants were sampled to generate primary data for the research using a well-structured questionnaire. Data from the respondents were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The study found that smartphone picture snapping, smartphone picture posting and efficiency and effectiveness of smartphone Photography contributes to the decline in patronage of commercial photography in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, ultimately having a negative impact on the business of commercial photographers. The research advocated that Photographers should pursue further training and embrace innovation to leverage smartphone technology and enhance their patronage as comprehensive training is essential for business success.

keywords:

Smartphone, Photography, Digital cameras, Social media, Patronage

---

References:

Adiele, K. C., Grend, M D. , & Ezirim A, C. (2015). Physical Evidence and Customer
Patronage: An Empirical Study of Nigeria Banking Sector”. Journal of Economics,
Management and Trade, 7 (3):188-99. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJEMT/2015/14176.
Agency Report. (2019). Photographers decry effects of smartphones on their business.
Independent Nigeria. Retrieved from https://independent.ng/photographers-decry-
effects-of-smartphones-on-their-business/?utm_s
Agency Report. (2019). Christmas professional photographers lament low patronage. The
Whistler. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/thewhistler.ng/christmas-
professional-photographers-lament-low-patronage-%25EF%25BB%25BF/amp/
Ballenger, H. B. (2024). Photography: A communication tool (Master’s thesis, Georgia State
University).
ScholarWorks
@
Georgia
State
University.
Retrieved
from
https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/art_design_theses/147/
Brako-Hiapa, G., & Danso, G. (2020). The usage of smartphone photography and its impact
on professional photography in Ghana. The International Journal of Humanities &
Social
Studies,
8(1),
1-10.
Retrieved
from
https://internationaljournalcorner.com/index.php/theijhss/article/view/151558
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of
information
technology.
MIS
Quarterly,
13(3),
319-339.
https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R. P., & Warshaw, P. R. (1989). User acceptance of computer
technology: A comparison of two theoretical models. Management Science, 35(8), 982-
https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.35.8.982
Elogie, A. A., Ikenwe, I. J., & Idubor, I. (2015). Factors influencing the adoption of
smartphones by undergraduate students at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.
Library
Philosophy
and
Practice
(e-journal).
Retrieved
from
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/
Ezeilo, F. I., & Ike, R. C. (2024). Environmental scanning and performance of pharmaceutical
firms in Nigeria: Evidence from May and Baker Plc. Admiralty Journal of
Multidisciplinary Research, 1(1), 1-15.
Fatimi, S. S. (2021). An analysis of smartphone camera and digital camera images captured by
adolescents ages fifteen to seventeen (Doctoral dissertation, Teachers College,
Columbia University). ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Retrieved from
https://www.proquest.com/openview/7128c64b2504afce922cce08eacf235d/1.pdf?pq-
origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Fayose, T. S., Adebara, L., & Bolarinwa, F. A. (2021). On the image promotion on social media
by polytechnic students in Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews,
9(1), 188–197. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2021.9.1.0009
Germen, M. (2014). The unstoppable rise of mobile imaging and aesthetics. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300431414_The_Unstopable_Rise_of_Mobi
le_Imaging_and_Aesthetics
Gye, L. (2007). Picture this: The impact of mobile camera phones on personal photographic
practices. Continuum, 21(2), 279–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/10304310701269107
Ballenger, H. B. (2014). Photography: A communication tool (Master’s thesis, Georgia State
University). Retrieved from https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/art_design_theses
Holty, E. (2016). The importance of photography: Student interview and essay of a
photographer in Bose. Retrieved from Chershedimage.net
Ibiwoye, T. I. (2017). Assessment of the extent of usage of photographic images in social
networking among youths in Lagos and Ondo States, Nigeria. Journal of Emerging
Trends
in
Educational
Research
and
Policy
Studies,
8(2),
90–97.
https://www.scholarlinkinstitute.org/jeteraps/articles/Assessment%20of%20the%20E
xtent%20of%20Usage%20NEW.pdf
Igyuve, A. I., Akilla, O. M., Oluwakemi, O. M., & Agbele, J. D. (2018). Smartphone adoption
in Nigeria: Issues and discourse. Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences,
3(1A), 11–20. http//scholarsmepub.com/
Jeyne A. (2019, September 21). Copyright issues and unprofessionalism killing photography
business
in
Nigeria.
Premium
Times.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/351058-copyright-
issues-unprofessionalism-killing-photography-business-in-nigeria-kelechi-amadi-
obi.html
Kayode, F. (2019). The influence of mobile photography on outdoor commercial
photographers in Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. International
Journal of Business and Management Review, 7(4), 36-42.
Mellie,
E.
(2020).
The
importance
of
printing
your
photos.
Summerana.
http://summerana.com/the-importance-of-printing-your-photos/?utm
Mengi, N. K. (2020). Impact of mobile phones on cameras: A review of the new era of
photographic outbreak on industry and mankind. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of
Egypt
/
Egyptology,
17(6),
4049-4055.
https://archives.palarch.nl/index.php/jae/article/view/1640
Nguyen, V. (2018). Smartphone photography: The use of smartphone cameras in 2018
(Bachelor’s
thesis,
[Name
of
University]).
Theseus.
Retrieved
from
https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/14705
Nuhel, A. K. (2021). Evolution of Smartphone. American International University-
Bangladesh.
Retrieved
from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331047271_undergraduate_project_paper
Nunoo, E. M. (2013). Master’s Thesis: Smartphone Information Security Risks.
public.wsu.edu/~taflinge/research.html
Obasa, O. (2019). Christmas: Professional photographers lament low patronage. PUNCH.
Retrieved
from
https://punchng.com/christmas-professional-lament-low-
patronage/?amp
Rafiqi, H. B. (2022). An overview of current commercial fashion photography. Indonesian
Journal of Visual Culture, Design, and Cinema, 1(2), 87-91.
Ritcher, F. (2021). Do pro photographers use camera phones? Statista. Retrieved from
https://www.statista.com/chart/25577/smartphone-camera-use-by-professionals/
Ritcher, F. (2017). Smartphones cause photography boom. I Have Net. Retrieved from
https://www.ihavenet.com/Technology/Mobile_Device_Mobile_Tech/Smartphones_
Cause_Photography-Boom.html
Saeed, R., & Hassan, T. U. (2020). Meta-analysis of smartphone usage for gratifications.
Journal
of
Media
Studies,
35(2),
165-191.
Retrieved
from
http://journals.pu.edu.pk/journals/index.php/jms/ind
Saragadam, J. (2018). Beginner’s guide to mobile photography: How to take breathtaking
photos without a professional camera (Framing and Snapseed). Medium. Retrieved
from
https://medium.com/@jagannathsrs/beginners-guide-to-mobile-photography-
how-to-take-breathtaking-photos-without-a-professional-33d385e025f5
Sasu, D. D. (2024). Number of internet users in Nigeria from 2018 to 2022, with forecasts from
2023
to
2027
(in
millions).
Statista.
Retrieved
from
https://www.statista.com/statistics/183849/internet-users-nigeria/
Scott, A. G. (2008). Measuring social networks with digital photograph collections. Hewlett-
Packard Labs. Retrieved from https://www.hpl.hp.com
Spencer, D. A. (1973). The Focal dictionary of photographic technologies (p. 454). Focal
Press. ISBN 978-0-13-322719-2.
Stuart, J. (2013). The death of photography: Are camera phones destroying an art form? The
Guardian.
Retrieved
from
https://amp.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/dec/13/death-of-photography-camera-
phones.
Suite48Analytics.
(2020).
The
2020
photo
products
survey.
Retrieved
from
https://www.suite48a.com/2020-photo-products
Tunmibi, S., Aregbesola, A., & Asani, E. O. (2015). Factors influencing the adoption of
smartphones by university students: A cross-border approach. African Journal of
Computing & ICT. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/45259551.pdf
Viscorner. (2022). How much do photographers charge in Nigeria? Viscorner. Retrieved from
https://viscorner.com/costs/cost-of-p

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back