Photographer Job Description, Career as a Photographer, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job
Salary: Median—$26,080 per
year
Employment Outlook: Varies—see profile
Definition and Nature of the Work
Photographers combine artistic talent and technical skill to produce professional photographs. To use their tools—cameras, lenses, and lights—they must be highly skilled technicians. To create meaningful photographs, they must be able to arrange whatever they are photographing so that it will stand out clearly in the finished picture. Photographers work at many different kinds of jobs. One photographer might make a career of taking pictures at weddings. Another might work in a laboratory taking scientific pictures through a microscope.
Most photography in the twenty-first century involves the use of digital cameras, which allows photographers to capture images electronically and edit them on a computer. Numerous images can be stored on compact disks or flash disks, which are small memory cards found in digital cameras. On a computer, images can be edited using color correction and other effects. Because this can be done in a short time, photographers can take pictures and see them right away. When they are satisfied with an image, it can be sent anywhere in the world via the Internet.
Photographers can display their work electronically by creating their own portfolios and placing them on their own Web page. Customers can order prints of a photographer's work, which can easily be edited, enlarged, or cropped to a customer's needs with the aid of computer software.
Photographers are employed in many businesses and have a variety of specialties. In general, photographers in technical work must have an understanding of their subject in order to be successful. Industrial photographers work for manufacturers. They travel to factories and take pictures of workers on the job and the products they are making. These photographs are used to improve the methods by which the products are made. The government employs many photographers to work on scientific and defense projects.
Medical photographers take pictures of new methods and advancements made in health care. These photographers must have some knowledge of science and medical terms. Science photographers usually need backgrounds in the sciences or in engineering. They may take pictures of rockets taking off, or they may work in a laboratory shooting photos of the various stages of an experiment. They are sometimes asked to design new photographic equipment for use in research. Science photographers often specialize in one area, such as biology or aerodynamics. In addition to working for the government, science photographers work for private foundations and pharmaceutical companies.
Press photographers work for newspapers. They are journalists as well as photographers. Their photographs try to capture the mood or feeling of particular events and people in the news. They sometimes work with reporters covering stories. Magazine photographers are usually freelancers. They submit ideas for stories to magazine editors. If the editors like their ideas, the photographers get the assignments. Some magazine photographers are journalists; along with taking pictures, they do research and dig for facts as other reporters do. A collection of their photographs may be arranged in the form of a photo essay that tells a story. A few large magazines keep photographers on their staffs.
Many other kinds of photographers are freelancers. Portrait photographers take pictures of people. They are hired for weddings, graduations, and other occasions. Advertising photographers take pictures that are designed to sell products. One type of advertising photographer is the fashion photographer, who takes pictures of models wearing the latest clothes.
Many portrait and advertising photographers run their own studios. Others work for large studios that employ many photographers. A few freelance photographers work for publishers of books and educational materials.
Education and Training Requirements
The most important training for a photographer is practical experience using cameras and taking pictures. Some apprenticeships may be available in camera shops or developing labs, but most beginners receive their training in schools and colleges. Photography courses are offered at two-year technical colleges and four-year colleges; some colleges even have programs that lead to a bachelor's or a master's degree in photography. Some knowledge of science and education are helpful for candidates in this field.
Because digital photography has become so important, photographers must have the technical knowledge to use digital equipment, high-quality printers, and editing software. Technology is changing rapidly, and photographers must keep up with the latest advancements.
Getting the Job
Prospective photographers should prepare a portfolio—a collection of their best photos. Candidates for a job as an industrial photographer should include pictures of factories and factory workers in their portfolios. Individuals interested in becoming portrait photographers should include close-ups of people. Employers decide whom to hire on the basis of portfolios.
A good start for a photographer is a job working for an experienced professional. The pay is low but the training is invaluable. Candidates should apply directly to portrait photographers or any freelance photographer who needs an assistant.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
Successful photographers are those who have become well known in their field. Beginners generally use their skills in just one branch of photography until they establish a name for themselves. Photographers who have worked for studios or companies sometimes start their own businesses.
Jobs for photographers are expected to increase as fast as the average through the year 2014. Digital technology has profoundly affected the field of photography: nonprofessionals can now utilize digital cameras to create and edit their own images. The Internet has provided opportunities for freelance photographers to exhibit and advertise their own work. In addition, photographers will be needed to provide digital images to the growing number of online magazines, journals, and newspapers. The greatest demand for photographers is expected to be in technical fields such as industry, science, and medicine.
Working Conditions
Working conditions for photographers vary, depending on where they work. Magazine, advertising, and portrait photographers work at least forty hours per week. Those who run their own businesses work longer hours. Freelance photographers choose their own hours, but they usually work more than forty hours as well. Freelancers cannot be certain that they will get work every day—or even every week. Many develop, print, and mail their own pictures. Often they work under pressure to meet their customers' demands.
Industrial and science photographers typically work forty hours per week. Press photographers keep irregular hours. They may be called in whenever they are needed to cover a story. Press photographers who work for large newspapers may be sent all over the world.
Earnings and Benefits
Earnings for photographers vary widely. Freelancers charge whatever the market dictates. Freelancers often earn more than salaried workers, but their earnings are affected by business conditions, their client list, and the location in which they work.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of a photographer in 2004 was $26,080 per year. The highest 10 percent earned more than $54,180 a year. Photographers working for newspapers and magazines earned a median annual salary of $32,800.
Salaried photographers usually receive paid vacations and sick leave. Those who work for the federal government also get health insurance and pension plans. Freelancers must provide their own insurance and retirement plans.
User Comments Add a comment…
2 months ago
Rachel » xdancexrockerx ((at)) gmail dot com
Hi,I'm 14 years old. I've been thinking about my future a lot!!! and what I would like to be. I really enjoy taking photographs of people and nature, mostly nature. This article was really good, and it educated me a lot. But I would like some advice on how to get my career started after High School. Like what college to go to or what type of material I need to learn. Thanks
2 months ago
loke » shortjr ((at)) ddg62 dot navy dot mil
I am 21, currently starting to look into a career in photography. Was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me one of the best schools to go to? Nobody I know is into photography, and I am having a bit of trouble picking a school. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
3 months ago
J. Michael Soliz
If you want more statistics, go to http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos264.htm. This takes you to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website and to an online version of their Occupational Outlook Handbook. This gives you real stats and even gives you salary ideas for different parts of the photography field.
5 months ago
Kelsey » daydreamer70520 ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hellooo, my name is Kelsey and I am 14 and 1/2 years old. I have been interested in doing photography for about 3 years. I take pictures almost every day, usually on nature. But I do try to get creative and use myself also. I'm not sure what to do next, since it seems that my highschool doesn't have a photography class. My dream is to be a world traveling photographer. Is there a good chance that I won't make it?
6 months ago
gaby » wickedweird ((at)) live dot com
hello. my name is gaby and i am seventeen. my dream is photography but i am still not sure as to how to make a career out of it. i photograph for my school's newspaper and yearbook and have begun my portfolio. where do i go from here?
9 months ago
Shelby Way » shelby_way_54 ((at)) hotmail dot com
Hi, My name is shelby and I'm 14 years old. I've been thinking a lot about my future and what I would like to be. I really enjoy taking photographs of people and nature. I read this article and it educated me a lot. But I would like some advice on how to get my career started after High School. Like what college to go to perhaps, or what type of material I need to learn. Thanks for your time (:
9 months ago
Photographer OC » tccopeland ((at)) hotmail dot com
I've been a self taught photographer for nearly ten years. I started by offering a guy who runs an automotive shop who specializes in custom car painting and body work my services.
I had no business training and no official photography training. I had other things in my favor. One, a passion for being creative, two; I was good at selling my passion. My pictures where good for not knowing what I was really doing and using a point and shoot for my first camera.
I moved on to a proconsumer digital camera and learned PS and worked at it, now photographing wanna be models.
Again, I did pretty good work, now I've develped a web site. Five years into it, I have taken photos for large companies, red carpet events for celebrities, and special events.
Try getting a " real job" as a photographer working for a company.
So all you see on the internet are jobs for picture people, and baby photogaphy.
I have a pretty nice portfolio, I've studied the business of photography in terms of what types of photography is offerd out there. I've read up on the marketing, business and even stock photography.
Still, if you don't have a BA degree in photography or know someone who can get you in the door, good luck.
As a 41 year old married man with two small kids, thanks to affirmative action and that good ol' thing called college I have had zero luck getting a job with a company of any kind or size. Back in the 80's I wasen't fortunate enough to be able to afford college and my situation did not allow for it, as I had no place to live and no money.
Not even for a local newspaper as a print photographer have I found work.
I could have written this article and talked about what a photographer does, and what they're paid and what experience they are required to have.
I've experienced it myself, real life.
Guess what, try being in business for yourself with a web site and then going and getting at 41 an assistants job with an established photog. They don't return calls, trust me...been there.
But people say, as long as you have a passion for what you want to do in life you'll make money eventually.
Really? .... Hasen't been the case for me...
I've also found many photograpehrs to not be very friendly or helpfull to a new photographer asking questions either. Oh yeah you can go on the web and go into a chat room or leave a message and people are more than willing to give you some information but not in person. Most of them don't even smile or say hi or talk small talk while out on a stroll.
So much for help.
10 months ago
jeff Warren » jwarpix ((at)) gmail dot com
As a photography studio manager on the west coast, I'm shocked by the salary results. A 2nd photo assistant starts at $200.00 per day. if you have a dream to shoot then do it! It is a competitive field, but do what you love.
11 months ago
Kristina » gpmissykrissy11 ((at)) aim dot com
This was certainly helpful because in my aspirations to become a street photographer, I hope to at least pass the essay portions of my photography class. :)
11 months ago
W33Zy Baby » miranda_johnson_forlyfe ((at)) yahoo dot com
Hey thanks for this website it seems to be very helpful with my project at school on photography. TTLYL!!!!!
BY333333333
12 months ago
Eriksojk » monkey dot com ((at)) aol dot com
OMG thank you sooooo much for this web site....it helped me with a boring project for tecnology on careers!!!
about 1 year ago
Mandie » guardgirlforever ((at)) hotmail dot com
As most people are saying, this was an amazing article for my project. I just wish that there was a little more information on the salary, but thats okay.You've eliminated much of the research i was dreading. Thank you soooo much! =)
about 1 year ago
Sterling G » jeannasson ((at)) hotmail dot com
I really like this website. it helps me find everything i need for my photography project. good imformation.
about 1 year ago
Kylie » tree-hugger-chick ((at)) hotmail dot com
Thank you for this site. I really hope to become a photographer someday and this article was very helpful.
about 1 year ago
C.knight » knightcor ((at)) spsd dot net
I was told to write about my dream job.. I know a lot but,i didn't know the benefits or the educational requirements. now i know and my paper is filled with all the details i need to paint the perfect image of the job i want.
Im 13 yrs old and if it wasent for this article I wouldnt of known the salary to be a photographer for skool.. Thanks lots
about 1 year ago
Melissa S. » Silverroses15 ((at)) aol dot com
I was told to write about my dream job.. I know a lot but,i didn't know the benefits or the educational requirements. now i know and my paper is filled with all the details i need to paint the perfect image of the job i want.
about 1 year ago
sabrina cruz » sabrinak531 ((at)) yahoo dot com
this waz very helpful
about 1 year ago
Yana » Kyf2007 ((at)) gmail dot com
I am working for a project in school and this has gave me all the info i needed
about 1 year ago
Heather » hbfhdsbhd ((at)) yahoo dot com
Im 13 yrs old and if it wasent for this article I wouldnt of known the salary to be a photographer for skool.. Thanks lots
about 1 year ago
Heather » hbfhdsbhd ((at)) yahoo dot com
im 13 yrs old and b/c of the article i knew what the salary was for being a photographer for skool.. Thanks lots
about 1 year ago
Brian » street08love ((at)) yahoo dot com
So this artical helped me out alot, but most of this artical is only information for portrait photographers. Action sport photographers, such as myself, dont get enough credit for what we do. Its by any means not easy to be a sports photographer, you must time everything perfectly to get the picture that your looking for, and this artical mentions not one thing about action sports photography. If someone that were just starting out in photography read this artical they would only know what the requirements are for regular photography. All im saying is, is that action sports photographers don't get any recinization on most websites, and alot of people view this website so i think there should be more mentioned about action photograhers and photography!
about 1 year ago
Gabrielle love » gabriellelove ((at)) rocketmail dot com
I am 14 and i love to take but i dwann a know what colleges to go to.
about 1 year ago
Sajie » pssajie ((at)) gmail dot com
I'm a Fashion photographer in India for the last 14 years and I would like to work for some American magazines which gives me more freedom and difference in works.
Or I would like to work in India for some magazines abroad as a freelance.....
These type of sites help people to connect others far away from their places...
about 1 year ago
JP » fort-nautilus ((at)) xtra dot co dot nz
I love photography and wanted to know about career options in this area. Its been really helpful and made me think of the wider range of job opportunities. Also good to get an idea of pay rates. Thanks JP
about 1 year ago
mishieee ♥ » heyhey ((at)) hotmail dot com
hey omg loved trhe website, i have some like career cruising thing, and this helpped so much, thx!!!!! :)xoxoxox
about 1 year ago
Alexis Marie<3 » Foreverfallsshort_08 ((at)) hotmail dot com
This pretty much saved my life.
i have to do a 2 1/2 page paper + work cited sheet, and i got almost all of my information here.
now im at 2 1/2 pages...it was due today but im still going to get a B.
about 1 year ago
lizzi » lm2544 ((at)) aol dot com
Just like almost everyone else that has left a comment regarding your article, this web site has been a tremendous help with my junior career project! Thank you!
about 1 year ago
eshley » eshleypinto ((at)) yahoo dot com
woo hoo this rox
about 1 year ago
eshley » eshleypinto ((at)) yahoo dot com
dude this website iz awsome i am doin dis project s.s and it has helped me a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
about 1 year ago
tatii » tatiannalee ((at)) hotmail dot com
this really helped for a project at school.thanxs
about 1 year ago
Gabby » gabby_246 ((at)) hotmail dot com
hahaha
quite funny how everyone's like
this is for my project tomorrow
haha
but thats what i am doing on this site. i forgot about this project hahah
well yeah ok.
x
about 1 year ago
tiffany » bl1822lover ((at)) yahoo dot com
This sight helped me soo much with this career project I need to turn in. It also helped with my Senior Project.
about 1 year ago
Olivia » olivia dot bjornson ((at)) sendit dot nodak dot edu
I also had to do a project for school. I picked a photographer (: This website gave me ALL the info I needed, thankies. <3
about 1 year ago
Nikki » sldiesto ((at)) yahoo dot com
thanks soooo much this provided about ALL the info i needed for my project that's due----tomorrow!! so thanks alot!
about 1 year ago
Isaac » footballdork1225 ((at)) yahoo dot com
this helped me get through careers so ms. rickets would not kill me! thanks again
(need more salery info)
about 1 year ago
Nathan » nrhuebner ((at)) yahoo dot com
OMG you wouldn't believe how much this helped me, i have to do a journalism related job description for school and i helped me a million.
about 1 year ago
Missi » lissa1193 ((at)) hotmail dot com
Wootwoot. This was a great website. Thanks so much. It helped me a lot.
;3
about 1 year ago
Brianna » Kimsheleigh ((at)) cs dot com
Thank you very much for everything i had to do a report on this for school and it saved my butt!!!!!! This website is awesome!!!
about 1 year ago
Sierra » raspberryraindrop94 ((at)) yahoo dot com
Wow. I had to do a HUGE career project for school, and this website was a LIFESAVER thank you sooo much!!
about 1 year ago
Amber » coolcat ((at)) wcta dot net
This is a great website. We had to look up three jobs for a career interest survey for school and this site was amazingly easy to use. thanks
about 1 year ago
Mari and ANgelica » mglilone ((at)) yahoo dot com
OMG!!
thanks friend!
i'm doing this project on this boring class that we have to search for a career which is sooo fucken booring but this website made it so fun..thanks girlfriend!!
lubb you!!
mari and angelica
about 1 year ago
Cara » d ((at)) e dot com
WOW this website is really inormative it helped with my project a TON. thanks a lot
about 1 year ago
doodles » crazydazy ((at)) sbcglobal dot net
you saved my life in careers my teacher mrs solof would have exploded=]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
about 1 year ago
brittany<3 » krazylillonghorn ((at)) aim dot com
this was great need more info on salary!
about 1 year ago
Wesley » JayHawkBowy ((at)) hotmail dot com
Hey thanks for this. We had to do a paper on what career we wanted to do and i wa able to get all my information from here. THANKS!
about 1 year ago
Meg » megvanover ((at)) verizon dot net
This site is very helpful for my math project, thanks! :)
about 1 year ago
meg:) » megvanover ((at)) verizon dot net
Thanks so much for all the informatiion! Got an A+ on my economics project! :)
about 1 year ago
cassie » crazylilonech16 ((at)) aim dot com
this is great for my economics project, but the whole salary thing.. i need a bit more. Its really good though.
about 1 year ago
Mickey. :D » EmoChick_1771 ((at)) hotmail dot com
This article rocked!
It helped me so much with my project for school!
I love Photography! :D
about 1 year ago
address » whowantstoknow946 ((at)) yahoo dot com
thanks alot i think i know what im goin to strive for.
about 1 year ago
Patrick » pheall ((at)) gmail dot com
thank you for this in fo you help me on my research paper A++++
over 2 years ago
Tiggels » I_tihnk_im_dead_oh_how_sad ((at)) hotmail dot com
Thank you all very much this has helped inspire me and help me understand what i need to survive if im gonna ever get this job. I have learned what type of education and my salary. I hope one day i will be able to join you in this heavenly job!!!!!!!
over 2 years ago
linzi » linzi_401 ((at)) yahoo dot com
this was helpful, but i need A LOT more info on the salary, and all the websites I have been to dont have to much info on it. My project is due tomarrow, also, but I need info on salray, and more than the actual salary, but like which types of photography get paid more and everything. Ugh...Ive been searching for almost an hour, just for that one little thing...
over 2 years ago
Tasha » reesetaker109 ((at)) aol dot com
wowza alot of info and my project is due 2morrow to! ha ha
over 2 years ago
kim » dolphins ((at)) orange dot com
this article was vry helpful 4 me seeing as i have a vry imporntant assignment due tomaro. & even tho i had 5 weeks 2 work on it i'm an extreem procrastinator
over 2 years ago
chris » brown dot kit ((at)) gmail dot com
THANKS SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH this helped with my project thats also due tomarow and im still not even close to done but this brought me closser thanks sooooo much agean it helped lots xoxoxoxoxoxoxo later people
over 2 years ago
bria shorts » smoochesboo92 ((at)) yahoo dot com
this is very informative for my project due tommorrow!!! thanx
smooches boo,
Bria