Information on Photographers

Nature of the Work: Photographers and camera operators produce images that paint a picture, tell a story, or record an event that will be remembered long after the event. Making commercial quality photographs and movies requires technical expertise and creativity. Producing a successful picture includes choosing and presenting a subject to achieve a particular effect and selecting equipment to accomplish the desired goal. For example, photographers and camera operators may enhance the subject’s appearance with lighting or draw attention to a particular aspect of the subject by blurring the background. Most photographers specialize in portrait, commercial, or news photography. Others specialize in areas such as aerial, police, medical, or scientific photography, which typically requires additional knowledge in areas such as engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry. A growing group of photographers are providing digital images directly for use on the Internet. Photography is also a fine art medium, and a small portion of photographers sell their photographs as artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, photographic art requires great emphasis on self-expression and creativity. Portrait photographers take pictures of individuals or groups of people and often work in their own studios. Some specialize in weddings or school photographs. Portrait photographers who are business owners arrange for advertising, schedule appointments, set and adjust equipment, develop and retouch negatives, and mount and frame pictures. They also purchase supplies, keep records, bill customers, and may hire and train employees. 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 mediums, including books, reports, advertisements, and catalogs. Industrial photographers often take pictures of equipment, machinery, products, workers, and company officials. The pictures then are used for analyzing engineering projects, publicity, or as records of equipment development or deployment, such as placement of an offshore rig. Companies also use these photographs in publications, in reports to stockholders, or to advertise company products or services. This photography frequently is done on location. News photographers, also called photojournalists, photograph newsworthy people; places; and sporting, political, and community events for newspapers, journals, magazines, or television. Some photojournalists are salaried staff; others work independently and are known as freelance photographers. Self-employed photographers may license the use of their photographs through stock photo agencies. These agencies grant magazines and other customers the right to purchase the use of a photograph, and, in turn, pay the photographer on a commission basis. Stock photo agencies require an application from the photographer and a sizable portfolio. Once accepted, a large number of new submissions usually are required from a photographer each year. Photographers frequently have their photos placed on CD’s for this purpose.

Working Conditions: Working conditions for photographers and camera operators vary considerably. Photographers and camera operators employed in government, television and commercial studios, and advertising agencies usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. On the other hand, news photographers and ENG operators often work long, irregular hours and must be available to work on short notice. Camera operators working on a motion picture production also may work long, irregular hours. Portrait photographers usually work in their own studios but also may travel to take photographs at the client’s location, such as a school, a company office, or a private home. News and commercial photographers and ENG operators frequently travel locally, can stay overnight on assignments, or may travel to distant places for long periods of time. Camera operators filming television programs or motion pictures may travel to film on location.

Employment: Photographers and camera operators held about 161,000 jobs in 1998. More than one-half was self-employed, a much higher proportion than the average for all occupations. Some self-employed photographers contracted with advertising agencies, magazines, or others to do individual projects at a predetermined fee, while others operated portrait studios or provided photographs to stock photo agencies. Most salaried photographers worked in portrait or commercial photography studios. Newspapers, magazines, advertising agencies, and government agencies employed most of the others. Most camera operators were employed in television broadcasting or at motion picture studios; relatively few were self-employed. Most photographers and camera operators worked in metropolitan areas.

Training and Education: Employers usually seek applicants with a "good eye," imagination, and creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of photography or camera operation. Formal education may be a requirement for many positions. Entry-level positions in photojournalism, or in industrial, scientific, or technical photography, for example, are likely to require a college degree in journalism or photography, with additional courses in the specific field being photographed. Camera operators usually acquire their skills through formal post-secondary training at vocational schools, colleges, universities, photographic institutes, or through on-the-job training. Both photographers and camera operators need good eyesight, artistic ability, and hand-eye coordination. They should be patient, accurate, and enjoy working with details. Photographers should be able to work alone or with others, as they frequently deal with clients, graphic designers, and advertising and publishing specialists. Camera operators also should have communication skills, and, if needed, the ability to hold a camera by hand for extended periods of time. Commercial photographers must be imaginative and original. Portrait photographers need the ability to help people relax in front of the camera. Photojournalists not only must be good with a camera, but also must understand the story behind an event so their pictures match the story. They must be decisive in recognizing a potentially good photograph and act quickly to capture it.

Job Outlook: Keen competition is expected for photographer and camera operator job openings because they attract so many people. The number of individuals interested in positions such as commercial photographer, photojournalist, and movie camera operator, is usually 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 adept 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 or camera operators. Often, new job entry requirements emerge, because employers can pick and choose among the most qualified and the most experienced applicants. For example, most photojournalists enter the field with a degree in journalism and are held to the same ethical standards as reporters and journalists.

Earnings: Median annual earnings of photographers in 1998 were $20,940. The middle 50 percent earned between $15,250 and $30,820. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12,490 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $43,860. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest number of photographers in 1997 were: Radio and television broadcasting  $27,400 Newspapers  24,100 Photographic studios, portrait  16,800 Median annual earnings for television, motion picture, and video camera operators were $21,530 in 1998. The middle 50 percent earned between $15,330 and $34,200. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,790 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,470. Median annual earnings of television, motion picture, and video camera operators in the radio and television broadcasting industry in 1997 were $17,000. Most salaried photographers work full time and earn more than the majority of self-employed photographers, many of whom work part time, but some self-employed photographers also have high earnings. Many camera operators who work in film or video are freelancers; their earnings tend to fluctuate each year. Unlike photojournalists and commercial photographers, few fine arts photographers are successful enough to support themselves solely through their art.

To read more on becoming a Photographer and for information on other career choices go to Occupational Outlook Handbook. Go here to see past Careers of the Month!