Photography Careers Come Into Focus As Opportunities Increase Online

What do Photographers Do?

Professional photographers combine creativity, artistic vision and technical mastery to take photographs. People in this profession use a wide range of equipment, some of which is specific to certain career fields. Good photographers have a natural eye for composition and can often create an aesthetically appealing photograph out of anything. Some photographers make careers out of teaching photography, while others take pictures of architecture or document wars or weddings. Today, shooting and selling stock photography online is a growing niche.

Photography is an astoundingly wide-ranging field and it is possible to create a successful business in any photography career. Most photographers shoot and print in digital formats, especially where time is of the essence. Photojournalists, wedding photographers, events photographers and the like usually shoot using 35 mm DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex). Some shoot using both film and digital photographers. Fine arts photographers may use only film and silver-halide papers because of the aesthetic quality of silver film and paper.

Photographers often operate their own professional Web sites, which serve as indispensable marketing tools and online portfolios.

Competition is high in photography because so many people find the creativity and earnings potential so attractive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, photography careers are expected to grow 12 percent between now and 2018, which is about as fast as average for other occupations.

Work Environment

Work environments vary among fields. Some photographers work out of their own studios and work irregular hours, including holidays, evenings and weekends. Staff photographers for corporations or other institutions may have their own office or studio, provided by their employer, and work more regular hours: 40 hours a week with paid vacations/holidays and other benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of all photographers are self-employed- they are freelance. It is safe to say that most photographers, as with other creative careers, work irregular hours.
Some photographers work in perilous conditions. For instance, newspaper bureaus in war-torn countries may employ photojournalists. Photography careers may be solo or they can involve working with, assisting, teaching or supervising large numbers of people.

Salary & Earnings Potential

Earnings potential can vary with specific careers. If you have business acumen, you can create a financially successful career out of freelancing. Architectural photography is one of the highest-paying careers, while travel photography can be one of the lowest paying. Among staff photography jobs, photo curators have high earning potential, which increases with experience and education levels.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages of salaried photographers were $29,440 in May 2008. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,430.

Training, Advancements

The majority of photography careers require at least an undergraduate degree in photography in addition to field experience. Some careers, however, require only a working knowledge of 35 mm DLSR. For instance, wedding photographers, seasonal/holiday photographers and studio photographers need only to be able to operate a camera and use photo-editing software for minor touch-ups.

Photo curators, professors and archivists usually require a terminal degree in photography- a Master's degree. Photo archivists do not require certification, though there are programs that offer archival science certification. In addition, some institutions require archivists to be certified. Throughout their professional careers, photographers attend educational seminars and other programs to improve their craft. Photographic technology changes at a rapid pace and a professional photographer must keep abreast of any changes.

Regardless of what specific field you hope to enter, try to make as many contacts as possible. This is especially important for freelance photographers because your next job may come through word of mouth marketing or references. Take advantage of industry-specific organizations, which can offer invaluable resources and information.

Education

Many colleges, universities and schools offer specialized degree programs in photography. Programs typically teach a wide-variety of courses such as black and white printing techniques, large-format cameras, lighting and photo editing. Graduate programs offer programs that are even more specialized.

There are photographers who are self-taught and fell into their careers relatively successfully. However, keep in mind that some professions require do require educational backgrounds in photography.