Photographers

Overview

Photographers has a national median salary of $44,660 per year, with -0.7% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Independence
• Relationships
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.
• Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
• Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
• Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
• Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Thinking Creatively
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Selling or Influencing Others
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Scheduling Work and Activities
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Photographers:

Video Resources