As if it's not tough enough out there for the creative industries, advertisers and marketeers are facing pressure to justify their activities promoting companies bailed out by the US government.

The thinking seems to be that ads and promotions are an unnecessary expence, rather than a revenue generator, which is bad news for the freelancers creatives commission – such as photographers.

"The conundrum: To drive much-needed sales, Tarp recipients (Troubled Asset Relief Program funds) must spend on marketing," writes Advertising Age. "But that's tough to do when some lawmakers, the media, and perhaps a section of the general public seem to denounce marketing or advertising as an unnecessary expense."

How about a bail out for the photography industry?

In my Comment in this week's British Journal of Photography, I asked readers if they'd take part in a future survey into how the recession is biting, and to supply any anecdotes about how business is going. I've had many responses – all of them detailing extensive fee cuts, rights grabs and a massive downturn in the amount of work available.

Email me at bjp.editor@bjphoto.co.uk if you're a pro photographer living in the UK or Ireland and would like to take part. Put 'fee survey' as your subject heading.