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Photographers
Overview » Industry Pathways » Visual Arts 
Check out this video on Mark Hill, senior photographer for Turner Broadcasting. He discusses what it's like to be a photographer, what you can be doing to prepare for such a career, and much more!
Photographers truly enjoy capturing that perfect “Kodak moment”- forever! They produce and preserve images that paint a picture, tell a story, or record an event. While much of their work involves independent judgment and creativity, there are many technical aspects that make their final results picture perfect! While some photography focuses on creative projects, other photography is much more scientific and technical.
Producing a successful picture requires choosing and presenting a subject to achieve a particular effect, and selecting the appropriate equipment. For example, photographers may improve the subject’s appearance with natural or artificial light, use a particular lens depending on the desired range or level of detail, or draw attention to a particular aspect of the subject by blurring the background.
Today, many cameras adjust settings such as shutter speed and aperture, or lens opening, automatically. They also let the photographer adjust these settings manually, allowing greater creative and technical control over the picture-taking process. In addition to automatic and manual cameras, photographers use many different types of film, lenses, and equipment—from filters, tripods, and flash attachments to specially constructed lighting equipment.
Photographers use either a traditional camera that records images on film that is developed into prints or a digital camera that electronically records images. Some photographers send their film to laboratories for processing. Other photographers, especially those who use black and white film or who require special effects, prefer to develop and print their own photographs.
Recent advances in electronic technology now make it possible for a professional photographer to develop and scan standard 35mm or other types of film, and use flatbed scanners and photofinishing laboratories to produce computer-readable, digital images from film. This makes it easier and faster to shoot, develop, and transmit pictures from remote locations.
Photographers are similar to artists who have different preferences and areas of interest. Some photographers specialize in areas such as portrait, commercial and industrial, scientific, news, or fine arts photography. Portrait photographers take pictures of individuals or groups of people and often work in their own studios. Some specialize in weddings, religious ceremonies, or school photographs and may work on location.
Commercial and industrial photographers take pictures of various subjects, such as buildings, models, merchandise, artifacts, and landscapes. These photographs are used in a variety of media, including books, reports, advertisements, and catalogs. Industrial photographers often take pictures of equipment, machinery, products, workers, and company officials. The pictures are used for various purposes.
Scientific photographers take images of a variety of subjects to illustrate or record scientific or medical data or scientific occurrence (such as a lunar eclipse), using knowledge of scientific procedures. They typically possess additional knowledge in areas such as astronomy, engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry.
News photographers, or photojournalists, photograph newsworthy people, places, and sporting, political, and community events for newspapers, journals, magazines, or television.
Fine arts photographers sell their photographs as fine artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, fine arts photographers need artistic talent and creativity.
Photographers held about 122,000 jobs in 2006. More than half were self-employed, a much higher proportion than the average for all occupations. Usually these workers are very independent people who like to work alone and be in charge of their own schedule and daily routine. Some self-employed photographers have contracts with advertising agencies, magazines, or others to do individual projects at a predetermined fee, while others operate portrait studios or provide photographs to stock photo agencies.
Most salaried photographers work in portrait or commercial photography studios. Newspapers, magazines, television broadcasters, and advertising agencies employ most of the others. Most photographers work in metropolitan areas.
Many people love taking pictures, and most of these amateur photographers think their pictures are pretty good. Photographers can expect very strong competition for job openings because the work is attractive to many people. Therefore, the number of individuals interested in positions as commercial and news photographers usually is much greater than the number of openings.
Those who succeed in landing a salaried job or attracting enough work to earn a living by freelancing are likely to be the most creative, able to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, and skilled at operating a business. Related work experience, job-related training, or some unique skill or talent—such as a background in computers or electronics—also are beneficial to prospective photographers.
Employment of photographers is average for all occupations through 2016. Demand for portrait photographers should increase as the population grows. As the number of electronic versions of magazines, journals, and newspapers increases on the Internet, commercial photographers will be needed to provide digital images.
Job growth, however, will be limited somewhat by the widespread use of digital photography and the falling price of digital equipment. Besides increasing photographers’ productivity, improvements in digital technology reduce barriers of entry into this profession and allow more individual consumers and businesses to produce, store, and access photographic images on their own. Most supermarkets and major chain stores have small digital photography kiosks available that allow a person to slip in their flash disk and receive their color prints within minutes and never have any contact with a store assistant - other than paying the bill!
Declines in the newspaper industry also will reduce demand for photographers to provide still images for print.
Employers usually seek applicants with a “good eye,” imagination, and creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of photography. Entry-level positions in photojournalism or in industrial or scientific photography generally require a college degree in journalism or photography. Freelance and portrait photographers need technical skills, whether gained through a degree program, vocational training, or extensive work experience. Increasingly, photographers need to know how to use computer software programs and applications that allow them to prepare and edit images.
Many universities, community and junior colleges, vocational-technical institutes, and private trade and technical schools offer photography courses. Basic courses in photography cover equipment, processes, and techniques. Bachelor’s degree programs, especially those including business courses, provide a well-rounded education. Art schools offer useful training in design and composition.
Individuals interested in photography should subscribe to photographic newsletters and magazines, join camera clubs, and seek summer or part-time employment in camera stores, newspapers, or photo studios.
Photographers may start out as assistants to experienced photographers. Assistants learn to mix chemicals, develop film, and print photographs, and acquire the other skills necessary to run a portrait or commercial photography business. Freelance photographers also should develop an individual style of photography in order to differentiate themselves from the competition. Some photographers enter the field by submitting unsolicited photographs to magazines.
Some photographers prefer to work by themselves and for themselves. Photographers who prefer to operate their own businesses, usually referred to as freelance, need to be prepared to undertake all of the tasks that come with being an entrepreneur.
After several years of experience, magazine and news photographers may advance to photography or picture editor positions. Some photographers teach at technical schools, film schools, or universities.
Typical annual earnings of salaried photographers were $24,040 in 2002. Typical annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of salaried photographers were $27,720.
Salaried photographers tend to earn more than those who are self-employed. This is because most freelance and portrait photographers purchase their own equipment and are responsible for additional expenses including maintaining cameras and accessories. Unlike news and commercial photographers, few fine arts photographers are successful enough to support themselves solely through their art.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
For career information and links to employment resources contact:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Occupational Information Network, O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
For information on photography, contact:
National Press Photographers Association, Inc.: http://www.nppa.org
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center .
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