Job description

Photographers photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects, using digital or film cameras and equipment. May develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers, and photojournalists.

• Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
• Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
• Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
• Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touch-up tools, and developing and printing equipment.

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Salary

Photographers with little to no experience tend to make between $19850 and $23970 while the more experienced ones can earn over $53520 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Photographer is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Photographers are DC, MA, RI, MN and NM.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Photographer is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Photographers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by an Associate’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Photographer.

What is the job like

71% of Photographers said they were satisfied with their job and 40% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

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