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.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

For additional information regarding the recent Photography Plan Changes, please see these Help Documents and blog post:

• CCPP 20 GB: 
• Lr 1 TB: 
• Blog Post:

[midimid]

According to this, there is a price change on the 20gb Photography Plan after Jan 15, 2025.

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

I have a 1-year 20gb Photography Plan gift card.

My account is currently inactive.

If I were to redeem the code after Jan 15, 2025, will I still get the full 1-year 20gb plan?

I'm highlighting the exact verbage here in the FAQ. It specifically mentions an active account:

"How will this price increase impact me if I have been buying prepaid redemption codes/cards from Amazon (or other retailers/e-tailers)?"

• "Prepaid codes/cards that have been purchased and not yet redeemed, can still be applied to your active account at any point in the future"

[David26874454w4of]

My Creative Clod profile shows that I am enrolled in an annual plan, paying monthly. This seems contradictory. Will my price increase?

[Rob_Cullen]

Depends on what PLAN you have subscribed to. (All Apps, Photography, Lightroom. ?)

New innovations and Photography pricing updates in 2025 | Adobe Blog

All Photography Plans are for an Annual 12month contract. You can currently pay either Monthly or Annually.

It appears that people who wish to continue to pay monthly will experience an increase in price.

Before a 12month Plan expires you have an opportunity to ask Adobe to change you to PAID ANNUALLY.

TBMK Adobe will email you before your current subscription expires to give you that opportunity.

[Conrad_C]

It’s not really contradictory because they’re two different periods. What confuses people is that the difference is mostly administrative and a matter of policy.

Monthly plan paying monthly is intuitive. You pay monthly, and if you want to quit the plan, you quit next month. Easy to understand.

Annual plan paying monthly means you pay monthly but if you want to quit the plan, your next opportunity to quit is the month of your annual renewal date. If you want to quit next month, you can do it only if that’s the month of your annual renewal date. If you quit at any other month, there is a penalty in the agreement that was accepted at signup for the annual plan. The penalty is there because if you agreed to an annual term but you quit before a whole year is up, you didn’t stick to the agreement.

Although you should check the specifics of your plan, there’s no price increase, and the billing doesn’t change, if someone is on a monthly plan and converts to annual. The price increases affect people who want to preserve the ability to cancel at any month in the year. But if someone is pretty sure they’re going to stick with Creative Cloud for years into the future, they might as well just make it annual and then there’s no change.

[Melissa2234565747rz]

That's an insane increase in cost.  Anyone cancelling their subscription and finding something else to use?

[dj_paige]

That's an insane increase in cost.  Anyone cancelling their subscription and finding something else to use?

By @Melissa2234565747rz

By switching from my previous Photography 20GB plan from monthly payment to annual payment, there was no increase in cost. So no reason for me to cancel.

Of course, this option is not available any more (last day you could do that was Jan 14, 2025), but you could still switch to the Lightroom 1TB plan which is now $11.99 per month (an increase of $2 month, which doesn't seem "insane") and you still get Lightroom Classic and Lightroom, but it does not include Photoshop.

All amounts are in US Dollars, the prices may be different in your country.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

"his option is not available any more (last day you could do that was Jan 14, 2025),"

This may not be correct. It depends upon your subscription's expiration date.  If your subscription expires Mar 15, for example, you have until Mar 14th to make the change. If in doubt contact Adobe Customer Care. 

[dj_paige]

Thanks for the clarification, Rikk!

[anthonybase]

Yes.

[phfsly]

I would like to share my frustration about Adobe unacceptable behavior experienced in France.
I subscribed to Lightroom Photographic plan (20 Go) on 2020 and in light of the new pricing policy, I decided to moved from monthly to annual payment.
No other way than going through the customer service to just change the payment method.
I've just discovered by accident that the number of generative credits decreased from 250 to 100.

Absolutly no information was delivered about this manipulation, neither on the Web pages nor from the Customer Service representative I was in contact with !

It is not worthy of a company like Adobe...

[jane-e]

@phfsly 

I've moved your post from Creative Cloud Desktop to the Lightroom forum where the product managers will see it.

Jane

[jane-e]

@phfsly 

I see that staff has merged your post to the primary thread.

Jane

[phfsly]

I can see either, thanks.
Hoping an answer, considering the customer loyalty.
A customer doesn't become a new customer because of changing payment method...

[anthonybase]

Agreed with all you say. An over 50% increase for a long time subscriber and a non-professional is beyond appalling. Especially since a number of the new innovations do not work all the time, some like the lens blur have never worked properly. I am, unfortunately out. There are numerous alternatives nowadays, many that are more than sufficient for a lot of us users. If I need more, I will walk over to a friend and use theirs. I am not going to pay over $250/year when I can outright buy a competitor program (with better AI technology) for less than that and not have to keep paying year after year after year....

[jane-e]

An over 50% increase for a long time subscriber and a non-professional is beyond appalling..

If I need more, I will walk over to a friend and use theirs.

By @anthonybase

Using Photoshop on your friend's computer violates the licensing agreement .

https://helpx.adobe.com/manage-account/using/policy-account-sharing.html

"Can I share my Adobe account with family members or friends?

"No, individual plans are for one person only. You can't have more than one person share an individual plan. Read more about the Use of Services and Software and User Conduct in Adobe General Terms of Use and learn how to best use your individual Adobe licenses and memberships."

In addition (for an FYI), the fee increase is for the annual plan, paid monthly. The annual plan paid in a lump sum has not increased.

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

"WHAT IS THE PRICE CHANGE FOR THE CREATIVE CLOUD PHOTOGRAPHY PLAN (20GB)?

"Starting January 15, 2025, the price of the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan with 20GB storage will increase in all countries. 

• "Annual billed monthly: Increase of US$5, from US$9.99 to US$14.99 per month
• "Annual prepaid: No increase, the price will remain US$119.88 per year"

Jane

[Tessitori SpA]

On March 4, 2023, I subscribed to the 20GB photography plan, paid monthly.
Initially, it included unlimited AI credits, but they kept reducing them more and more until they reached 250 credits.

In December 2024, I received a banner from Adobe about a great savings opportunity if I switched to an annual payment instead of a monthly one. So, I decided to make the change, only to realize after making the payment that the advertised savings WERE A TOTAL LIE. There is no actual savings with the annual payment—it’s just a trick where they show you the price WITHOUT TAXES. With taxes included, the total amount was EXACTLY THE SAME, down to the last cent, as my monthly payment multiplied by 12. Additionally, the annual plan includes CANCELLATION PENALTIES that do not exist in the monthly plan.

I contacted Adobe very angry, and Adobe support told me not to worry, that they would fix the mistake, that I should cancel the subscription and create a new one, and that the conditions would remain exactly the same. They assured me this, again and again.

It turns out this was not the case. According to Adobe, my subscription started in December 2024, meaning I ONLY HAVE ACCESS TO 100 AI GENERATION CREDITS per month. That is 150 credits LESS than what I should be entitled to with my 2023 subscription. They refuse to correct this mistake—they don’t care that they misled me with a nonexistent discount.

If you're not yet familiar with Adobe → DON'T DO IT! Look for an alternative. Adobe WILL ALWAYS try to deceive you and squeeze every last cent out of you.
NEVER PAY FOR AN ANNUAL PLAN—there is no real benefit, only cancellation fees and the same total cost as the monthly payment.

[Tessitori SpA]

En Marzo 4, 2023, contraté el plan de fotografía 20GB, pagado mensualmente.
Inicialmente era con créditos AI ilimitados, pero lo fueron bajando y bajando, hasta llegar a 250 créditos.
En Diciembre 2024, recíbí un banner de Adobe sobre un gran ahorro si pagaba el plan de forma anual en vez de mensual. Por lo tanto, decidí acceder a hacer el cambio, solo para darme cuenta después de realizar ekl pago, que el ahorro indicado ERA UNA TOTAL MENTIRA, no existe ahorro por el pago anual, solo que te engañan al presentarte el precio SIN IMPUESTOS. Con los impuestos, el pago era EXÁCTAMENTE IGUAL, centavo por centavo, que mi precio mensual multiplicado por 12, y además, CON PENALIZACIONES DE CANCELACIÓN que no existen en el plan mensual.
Contacté a Adobe muy enfadado, y el soporte de Adobre me dijo que no me preoocupara, que solucionarían el error, que cancelara la suscripción y creara otra, que las condiciones serían exáctamente las mismas. Me lo aseguraron, una y otra vez.

Resulta, que no fue así. Para adobe, mi suscripción inició en Diciembre de 2024 y, por lo tanto, SOLO TENGO ACCESO A 100 CRÉDITOS de generación IA. Es decir, 150 créditos mensuales MENOS de aquello que me debería corresponder con mi suscripción de 2023. No hay forma de que quieran subsanar este error, les importa nada que ellos me hayan engañado con un descuento inexistente.

Si aún no se familiariza con Adobe --> NO LO HAGA, busque una alternativa, Adobe SIEMPRE intentará engañarlo y exprimir hasta el último centavo que tenga disponible.
NO PAGUE NUNCA UN PLAN ANUAL, no hay beneficio real, solo multas por cancelación y precios iguales al pago mensual.

[Tessitori SpA]

En Marzo 4, 2023, contraté el plan de fotografía 20GB, pagado mensualmente.
Inicialmente era con créditos AI ilimitados, pero lo fueron bajando y bajando, hasta llegar a 250 créditos.
En Diciembre 2024, recíbí un banner de Adobe sobre un gran ahorro si pagaba el plan de forma anual en vez de mensual. Por lo tanto, decidí acceder a hacer el cambio, solo para darme cuenta después de realizar ekl pago, que el ahorro indicado ERA UNA TOTAL MENTIRA, no existe ahorro por el pago anual, solo que te engañan al presentarte el precio SIN IMPUESTOS. Con los impuestos, el pago era EXÁCTAMENTE IGUAL, centavo por centavo, que mi precio mensual multiplicado por 12, y además, CON PENALIZACIONES DE CANCELACIÓN que no existen en el plan mensual.
Contacté a Adobe muy enfadado, y el soporte de Adobre me dijo que no me preoocupara, que solucionarían el error, que cancelara la suscripción y creara otra, que las condiciones serían exáctamente las mismas. Me lo aseguraron, una y otra vez.

Resulta, que no fue así. Para adobe, mi suscripción inició en Diciembre de 2024 y, por lo tanto, SOLO TENGO ACCESO A 100 CRÉDITOS de generación IA. Es decir, 150 créditos mensuales MENOS de aquello que me debería corresponder con mi suscripción de 2023. No hay forma de que quieran subsanar este error, les importa nada que ellos me hayan engañado con un descuento inexistente.

Si aún no se familiariza con Adobe --> NO LO HAGA, busque una alternativa, Adobe SIEMPRE intentará engañarlo y exprimir hasta el último centavo que tenga disponible.
NO PAGUE NUNCA UN PLAN ANUAL, no hay beneficio real, solo multas por cancelación y precios iguales al pago mensual.

[Tessitori SpA]

On March 4, 2023, I subscribed to the 20GB photography plan, paid monthly.
Initially, it included unlimited AI credits, but they kept reducing them more and more until they reached 250 credits.

In December 2024, I received a banner from Adobe about a great savings opportunity if I switched to an annual payment instead of a monthly one. So, I decided to make the change, only to realize after making the payment that the advertised savings WERE A TOTAL LIE. There is no actual savings with the annual payment—it’s just a trick where they show you the price WITHOUT TAXES. With taxes included, the total amount was EXACTLY THE SAME, down to the last cent, as my monthly payment multiplied by 12. Additionally, the annual plan includes CANCELLATION PENALTIES that do not exist in the monthly plan.

I contacted Adobe very angry, and Adobe support told me not to worry, that they would fix the mistake, that I should cancel the subscription and create a new one, and that the conditions would remain exactly the same. They assured me this, again and again.

It turns out this was not the case. According to Adobe, my subscription started in December 2024, meaning I ONLY HAVE ACCESS TO 100 AI GENERATION CREDITS per month. That is 150 credits LESS than what I should be entitled to with my 2023 subscription. They refuse to correct this mistake—they don’t care that they misled me with a nonexistent discount.

If you're not yet familiar with Adobe → DON'T DO IT! Look for an alternative. Adobe WILL ALWAYS try to deceive you and squeeze every last cent out of you.
NEVER PAY FOR AN ANNUAL PLAN—there is no real benefit, only cancellation fees and the same total cost as the monthly payment.

[davescm]

You created four separate posts on the same subject, which breaks the community guidelines. I have merged them all into this one thread.

Dave

[Tessitori SpA]

The post were made on different communities. One in spanish, one in english. You can delete one of each.

[davescm]

'...Additionally, the annual plan includes CANCELLATION PENALTIES that do not exist in the monthly plan...'

That is incorrect. The Photography plan has always been an annual plan paid monthly, which has an early cancellation charge if terminated within the 12 month period. The terms (including cancellation) for both annual plans paid monthly, and annual prepaid, are here: https://www.adobe.com/legal/subscription-terms.html

Dave

[jane-e]

@Tessitori SpA wrote "There is no actual savings with the annual payment"

In addition to what Dave said, the Photography plan (annual, paid monthly) is going up. The Photography plan (annual, paid in a lump sum) has not changed. The extra cost comes from the increase for the annual plan, paid monthly.

See this blog for details:

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

"These plan updates come into effect for new subscribers on January 15, 2025, and will become effective for existing members only when your plan next renews."

Jane