P: Information & Discussion regarding the recent (January 2025) Photography Plan changes

[default4kfo7eyeihb4]

Hello Adobe Team,

First, I want to express my appreciation for the value I’ve received as a subscriber to the Photography Plan. It’s been an essential part of my creative journey, even as an amateur user. The accessibility and affordability of the $9.99/month plan played a significant role in my decision to choose Adobe over other options.

With the announced price changes, I understand that Adobe continues to invest in powerful AI features and other advancements that undoubtedly enhance Photoshop and Lightroom. However, I’d like to offer some feedback and comparisons to competitors that I hope will be helpful as you consider customer experiences and retention:

1. Competitor Pricing and Features:

• Affinity Photo: A one-time purchase of $69.99 offers a robust editing platform. For many amateur users, this presents a cost-effective alternative without ongoing fees.

• ON1 Photo RAW: At $7.99/month, it includes AI tools like culling and auto photo enhancement, which are incredibly valuable for streamlining workflows.

• Skylum Luminar Neo: At $8.25/month or a one-time fee of $149, its AI-driven editing features, such as Sky Replacement and auto enhancements, are compelling for photographers.

These tools might not offer the same depth as Adobe’s ecosystem but provide unique advantages that appeal to hobbyists and professionals alike.

2. Concerns About Entry-Level Pricing:

The 20GB plan has always been a fantastic entry point for creatives like myself. With the price increase, I worry that newer users, particularly those exploring photography as a hobby, may find themselves turning to alternatives that require less upfront investment or commitment.

3. Treating Loyal Users Like Partners:

As a long-time subscriber, I view my relationship with Adobe much like a committed partnership. In a healthy relationship, both parties grow together, and changes are made with mutual respect and consideration. While I appreciate the introduction of new features, such as the upcoming AI-powered culling tool and Generative Remove, the increased pricing feels like a unilateral decision that impacts loyal users. In a partnership, significant changes are discussed and navigated together to ensure both sides continue to benefit and feel valued.

4. Storage Considerations:

Many users, like me, don’t heavily rely on the storage features. I would appreciate an option to maintain access to Photoshop and Lightroom without the push for additional storage that isn’t utilized.

5. Loyalty Programs:

A loyalty reward system or discounted upgrade paths for long-term subscribers could go a long way toward making the transition smoother and ensuring that dedicated users feel appreciated.

I share this feedback as a long-time fan of Adobe and its products. My hope is that these pricing changes can be balanced with features and incentives that continue to make Adobe the go-to choice for creatives of all levels.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this. I look forward to seeing how Adobe continues to innovate and support its user base.

[richardplondon]

These are 12-month agreements, which means they should see out their period on the same terms (same service continuing by Adobe, same payments continuing by you).

It's a shame IMO to see the demise of the current 20GB plan. For me the inclusion of Photoshop and Lr Classic is far more significant than the storage amount, in choosing which plan to renew with.

[Rob_Cullen]

If you pay annually- there is no change for you!

See this link for the info (Scroll down on page)-

https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2024/12/15/all-new-photography-innovations-pricing-updates?clickre...

If you pay monthly for the 20GB Plan- converting the plan to 'Paid Annually' also means "no change". ie. Change payment method BEFORE the renew date- NOT a new subscription.

[richardplondon]

that blog entry is dated January 2024, and things have since changed - the 20GB plan was increasingly hard to find in Adobe's site but has now gone, and in confirmation see the specific statement in screenshot below, accessed from Manage Plan

I suppose it is still possible existing customers could continue a running plan, even though one could not be started - but that would be contradicted by the notification message which has been reported e.g. by CescoP

Just for completeness, a monthly billed Photography plan has never been offered in my region (UK) AFAICT: but for other products which have offered a monthly option, that has come at 150% monthly cost compared with annual renewing.

[Rob_Cullen]

As of May 13th 2025 the offer to 'grand-father' the 20GB plan still existed-

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/faq/ccpp-20gb.html

And as CescoP's plan was notified as 'ending' it was crucial that the plan payment method was changed to 'annual' BEFORE the end-date of the plan.  If CescoP delays and allows the Plan to expire (or cancels the Plan) then re-subscribing will be to the new, more expensive, plan.

"a monthly billed Photography plan has never been offered in my region (UK)"  I cannot comment of particular country differences (I am in Australia), but TBMK Adobe always offered the 12month Annual Plan  -Paid Monthly or Annually.

[maltje1962]

I now have a subscribtion for a package included:Lightroom classic,photoshop,etc...

Here in Belgium the monthly price went up with 50% !!!

I thinking about switching to only Lightroom.

But what then with PS,can I still use it or will it be blocked on my computer?

[dj_paige]

I don't know the prices in your country, but here in the USA if you have the plan entitled "Photography Plan (20GB)" you should be able to switch payment from monthly to annual and then there would be no change in price (except of course it is one payment which is 12 times larger than the 12 monthly payments). Now I don't know if it works that way in Belgium, but Adobe should have sent you an e-mail before it is time for you to renew explaining the whole thing.

So what plan do you have? Go to account.adobe.com and log in and see what plan you have. Here is what I see for my account, my plan is the Photography Plan (20GB).

[maltje1962]

I also have the photography plan,but I don't use PS a lot.

So if I pay now for I year,price stays the same as what I pay now?month x 12.

What happends, if I change to lightroom classic only.Then I can't do anything anymore with PS?

kind regards

[dj_paige]

So if I pay now for I year,price stays the same as what I pay now?month x 12.

As I said, I do not know what plans or prices are offered in Belgium. My statement applies to USA, and possibly other countries, but I don't really know about other countries. Did you get an e-mail from Adobe about this? It should be all explained in detail. And if you did not get an e-mail from Adobe, then you ought to contact them directly, rather than in this forum.

There is no plan that is Lightroom Classic only.