What Does A Photographer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Photographers

Photographers photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

Salary
$50290
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Photographers photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific 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.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Photographers use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments. They determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.

A typical day for a Photographer will also include:

  • Determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or advertising staff.
  • Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
  • Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
  • Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
  • Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Photographers also engage in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials. They may also set up, mount, or install photographic equipment and cameras.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Photographers test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order. They might also select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.

In addition, they direct activities of workers setting up photographic equipment.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them employ a variety of specialized photographic materials and techniques, including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro photography, photogrammetry, and sensitometry.

To some Photographers, it is also their responsibility to write photo captions.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

High

Is this job meaningful

Low

71% said they were satisfied with their job and 40% said they found their job meaningful.


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Pros

Suitable for people who like to work with designs.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.

Demand for this career is growing.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to follow routines.

Salary is below average.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$50290 per year

Average hourly wage

$24 per hour

Entry-level Photographers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $22,410 to $28,530 per year or $11 to $14 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $86,850 $42
Senior (Top 25%) $62,440 $30
Median $41,280 $20
Junior (Bottom 25%) $28,530 $14
No experience (Bottom 10%) $22,410 $11

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Photographers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $91830 $44.15
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services $79060 $38.01
Motion Picture and Video Industries $78470 $37.73
Other Information Services $77610 $37.31
Employment Services $70710 $33.99
Local Government $67680 $32.54
Nonscheduled Air Transportation $66320 $31.88
Management of Companies and Enterprises $64000 $30.77
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $63680 $30.62
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods $61400 $29.52

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Photographers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Photographers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 21690 $46050 $22.14
Radio and Television Broadcasting 3740 $54910 $26.40
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers 1710 $56080 $26.96
Motion Picture and Video Industries 1570 $78470 $37.73
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses 1120 $49640 $23.87
Automobile Dealers 900 $39310 $18.90
Management of Companies and Enterprises 810 $64000 $30.77
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers 790 $49030 $23.57
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 680 $52490 $25.24
Amusement Parks and Arcades 540 $26610 $12.79

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
8%

40 hours
28%

More than 40 hours
64%

Working schedule

8%

80%

12%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
8%

Every day
88%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
28%

Every day
72%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
42%

Every day
38%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
12%

Once a year
72%

Once a month
16%

Once a week
0%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
0%

Moderately competitive
0%

Highly competitive
36%

Extremely competitive
64%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
0%

Once a year or more
15%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
38%

Every day
35%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
23%

Once a year or more
15%

Once a month or more
31%

Once a week or more
19%

Every day
12%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
0%

Once a year or more
12%

Once a month or more
56%

Once a week or more
28%

Every day
4%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
16%

Once a year or more
24%

Once a month or more
32%

Once a week or more
28%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
16%

High School Diploma or equivalent
28%

Post-Secondary Certificate
4%

Some College Courses
16%

Associate’s Degree or similar
20%

Bachelor’s Degree
16%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Photography

A program that focuses on the principles and techniques of communicating information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation of images on photographic film, plates, and digital images and that may prepare individuals to be professional photographic artists. Includes instruction in camera and equipment operation and maintenance, film and plate developing, light and composition, films and printing media, color and special effects, photographic art, photographic history, use of computer applications to record or enhance images and applications to the photography of various subjects.

Art/Art Studies

A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of the visual arts. Includes instruction in art, photography, and other visual communications media.

Visual and Performing Arts

A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the visual and performing arts and that may prepare individuals in any of the visual artistic media or performing disciplines.


Digital Arts

A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the use of computerized digital images as the primary medium of expression in the visual and performing arts, and that may prepare individuals for a wide variety of careers using new media, including graphic design, digital animation, motion graphics, 3D visualization, game and interactive media design, music and sound design, video production, web design, photography, and other fields.

Commercial Photography

A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences, and recording events and people, via digital, film, still and video photography. Includes instruction in specialized camera and equipment operation and maintenance, applications to commercial and industrial needs, and photography business operations.

Photojournalism

A program that focuses on the use of still and motion photography in journalism and prepares individuals to function as news photographers and photographic editors. Includes instruction in photography, journalism, studio procedures and techniques, camera and equipment operation and technique, news editing, print and film editing, news scene composition, subject surveillance, media law and policy, news team field operations, and professional standards and ethics.


Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
4%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
16%

1 to 2 years
36%

2 to 4 years
28%

4 to 6 years
8%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
4%

1 to 3 months
8%

3 to 6 months
23%

6 months to 1 year
27%

1 to 2 years
19%

2 to 4 years
15%

4 to 10 years
4%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Artist

People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.

The Builder
67%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
29%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
86%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
33%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
48%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
19%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend 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.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
62%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
50%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
52%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
67%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
38%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
71%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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