What Do Photographers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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. They also use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• 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.

We asked Photographers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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71% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 40% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

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.

We asked some Photographers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	72% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	8% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	38% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	40% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	20% said yes

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 photograph captions.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Photographer, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

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.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/media-and-communication/photographers.htm

http://asmp.org/

https://www.upaa.org/