Photographers

Career summary

Most photographers specialize in one of several areas.

• Portrait photographers pose their subjects and carefully arrange lighting
• Commercial photographers take pictures of products, scenery, or buildings
• Industrial photographers take photos of equipment, products, and workers
• News photographers record people, places, and events in the news
• Fine arts photographers sell their photos as artwork
• Scientific photographers may use equipment such as electron microscopes to take photos of tiny items

All photographers have basic tasks in common. They select the camera and equipment that will best meet the needs of the job. Photographers must choose film, lenses, filters, and flash attachments. They set up the camera to frame the subject for the best composition. They arrange the background and lighting to create the desired effect. They also arrange people or objects in the desired position. In studio settings, photographers can control all these elements. When working in the field, they must often make do with the available conditions.

Photographers focus the camera and adjust the settings based on lighting, subject matter, distance, and film or shutter speed. Some develop their own film and print photos. Those who work with color film often send it to laboratories for processing. Photographers who use digital cameras often will process their prints with computer software. They may print photos themselves using photo paper and printers or have them printed elsewhere.

Photographers who work for large operations may direct the work of others. Self-employed photographers carry out basic business tasks. For example, they order supplies, keep records, and bill clients.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Camera Operators
• Film and Video Editors
• Fine Artists
• Graphic Designers
• Photograph Processing Workers
• Professional Makeup Artists
• Sound Engineering Technicians

Military careers

• Photographic Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to photographers.

• Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
• Select and set up camera equipment to frame the subject.
• Arrange subject material in the desired position.
• Compose background and lighting to create the desired effect.
• Focus camera and adjust settings for light, subject, distance, and film speed.
• Shoot photos with traditional or digital cameras.
• Develop film and print photos.
• Use scanners to digitize photos for computer use.
• Enhance and change digital images with special computer software.
• Review photos to select the best work.
• Test equipment before use to make sure it is working properly.
• May use special equipment such as electron microscopes to photograph microscopic items.
• Research and develop new photographic techniques and materials.
• Direct the activities of workers helping with photo sessions.
• May purchase supplies, keep records, and bill clients, if self-employed.

Common work activities

Photographers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Think creatively
• Use computers
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Perform for or work with the public
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Develop goals and strategies
• Schedule work and activities
• Handle and move objects
• Perform administrative tasks
• Monitor and control resources
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Document and record information
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, photographers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a very high level of social contact. Many photographers work directly with clients or subjects.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone and e-mail. They also speak with others through face-to-face discussions, but less frequently.
• Are responsible for the work done by assistants.
• Often work with a team of assistants.

Physical work conditions

• May work indoors or outdoors, but are more likely to work indoors.
• May work physically near their subjects.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact. Errors could result in dissatisfied clients.
• Make some of their decisions independently. They often confer with clients.
• Set some of their daily tasks and goals independently, but usually cooperate with client schedules and goals.
• Must meet weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time.
• May work long, irregular hours, or on short notice. This is more often true for news photographers.
• May travel to take photos at a client's location.
• May travel overnight on assignments. May travel to distant places for long periods of time. This is more often true of news and commercial photographers.

Physical demands

Photographers frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for photographers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for photographers to be able to:

• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

Skills and abilities

Photographers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Art and Fine Arts, General
• Photographic, Film, and Video Technology
• Photography

Other programs of study to consider

• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Graphic Design
• Journalism
• Multimedia and Intermedia

Training

To work as a photographer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

News, industrial, and scientific photographers usually have a college degree in journalism or photography. Many universities and colleges offer photography courses. Vocational schools and private trade schools also offer such courses. Bachelor degree programs provide a well-rounded education, especially when they include business courses. Art schools offer useful training in design and composition.

Work experience

You can get experience through summer or part-time jobs at photography studios or camera stores.

Look for internships while you are in school. These offer good experience and contacts.

Assembling a high-quality portfolio of your work is important.

On-the-job training

Many photographers learn their skills on the job. You may start as an apprentice or assistant photographer. You learn to set up lights, cameras, and other equipment. You work in the darkroom and spend many months learning and practicing before getting your own assignments. Depending on the employer and your skills, training may last up to one year.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be photographic specialists. Training lasts from seven to 24 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Art
• Art History
• Drawing and Painting
• Film and Videotape
• Photography

Many photographers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers usually seek applicants with a "good eye." They also look for good technical knowledge of photography. Many employers prefer applicants with college training and some experience. In addition, experience with computer programs to alter photo images will be increasingly required.

Employers also look at personal traits. For example, commercial photographers must be imaginative and original. Portrait photographers must be able to help people relax in front of the camera. News photographers must be decisive so they can act quickly to capture the right photograph for a news story.

Freelance photographers should develop an individual style to set them apart from the competition. Some photographers enter the field by submitting photos to magazines and advertising agencies.

An internship with a possible employer is extremely valuable. Employers look for well-rounded experience and good people and technical skills. They also seek workers who are dependable and can show up on time for photo assignments.

Tips

Join the high school yearbook or newspaper staff for practical experience. Find part-time work as a photographer’s assistant. Many employers look for non-photographic skills such as sales, psychology, bookkeeping, advertising, and magazine/newspaper theory. Develop a specialty and have work reviewed by established professionals to gain experience. For some jobs, knowledge of a second language may be helpful. If you are interested in news photography, knowledge of page layout programs and the ability to photograph a variety of subjects are helpful.

Costs to workers

Photographers will have to buy an assortment of camera equipment. Costs vary and may go up as the use of electronic cameras and equipment increases.

#Deleted estimated costs of traditional equipment since have no way to verify, 3/23/09, cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Photographers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by employer. For example, news photographers tend to earn more than photographers who work in portrait studios. Few fine arts photographers earn enough to support themselves only through their art. Thus they may have a second job.

Benefits also vary by employer. Most full-time salaried photographers earn benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed photographers must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 64% of photographers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Photographic portrait studios
• Newspapers and magazines

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining. The decreasing cost of digital cameras and the increasing number of amateur photographers and hobbyists will reduce the need for professional photographers. Stock photographic services give individuals and businesses access to stock photographs for a fee or subscription, decreasing the demand for photographers.

Rapid growth of Internet versions of magazines, journals, and newspapers will require commercial photographers to provide digital images. This will increase the opportunities for self-employment.

Strong competition is expected for photographers because there are many qualified applicants for openings.

Other resources

American Journalism Review 

American Photographic Artists 
Northwest Chapter
Seattle, WA

American Society of Media Photographers 
PO Box 31207
Bethesda, MD 20824
877.771.2767

Careers in Space: A Universe of Options 

National Endowment for the Arts 
400 - 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
202.682.5400

National Press Photographers Association 

NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies 

Photographic Society of America 
8241 South Walker Avenue, Suite 104
Oklahoma City, OK 73139
855.772.4636
405.843.1437

Printing Industries of America 
301 Brush Creek Road
Warrrendale, PA 15086-7529
800.910.4283
412.741.6860

Professional Photographers of America 
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2300
Atlanta, GA 30303
800.786.6277
404.522.8600

School Journalism Website 
(for youth from the American Society of Newspaper Editors)

The Imaging Alliance 
7600 Jericho Turnpike Suite 301
Woodbury, NY 11797

The Poynter Institute 
801 Third Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.9494

US Small Business Administration 
Seattle District Office
2401 Fourth Avenue, Suite 450
Seattle, WA 98121
206.553.7310

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupation

• Photographers (27-4021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Biological Photographer (143.362-010) 
• Ophthalmic Photographer (143.362-014) 
• Photographer, Aerial (143.062-014) 
• Photographer, Apprentice (143.062-018) 
• Photographer, Finish (143.382-014) 
• Photographer, Scientific (143.062-026) 
• Photographer, Still (143.062-030) 
• Photojournalist (143.062-034) 
• Photo-optics Technician (029.280-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Photographer

Holland occupational cluster

• Artistic/Realistic/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Arts Skilled