Career Opportunities in Photography



Career Opportunities in Photography

Photojournalist

Degree in photography and a portfolio displaying skill in capturing The

Moment, telling the whole story in one image, and being able to shoot in any lighting situation. Apply to newspapers and news magazines.

School pictures photographer or Children’s sport teams photographer

Usually hired by a company. Don’t necessarily need a portfolio or experience since training is often provided. Must be willing to shoot on location and be good at setting up lighting and coaxing smiles or attractive expressions out of children.

Portrait photographer

Can be an employee of a company or be freelance. Will need a portfolio

of excellent examples of portrait photography. Can be in a studio or on

location with lights or available lighting. Subjects can be families, individuals, couples or employees. Need to advertise services in the phone book or other places where your desired subjects will see.

Wedding photographer

Usually freelance. Need to have a portfolio or album to show couples,

that shows you can shoot all the moments of a wedding. Need to be able to shoot fast, be where the action is and shoot in different lighting situations.

Sports photographer

Usually on staff for a newspaper or magazine, but can also be freelance

with steady assignments from different publications or can be on staff for a sports team or stadium. Need a portfolio that shows you can capture the important moments and can shoot any sport in an interesting way. Need to be able to shoot fast to capture the action moments. Also need to be able to shoot good portraits of the athletes or teams. Travel often involved.

Wildlife photographer

Can be freelance or on staff for a magazine that uses wildlife images.

Need a portfolio of stunning wildlife photographs. Need to be good at being quiet and blending in with the surroundings and at being patient to wait for the animals. Travel often involved.

Fashion photographer

Usually freelance, hired by clothing lines, magazines or ad agencies.

Need a portfolio that shows either that you can highlight the selling points of a garment or outfit with good lighting and poses, or that you can evoke a mood that the clothing brand is trying to promote. Shoot on location and in the studio.

Product photographer

Can be freelance, shooting for different companies, or employed by one

company to shoot only their products. Need to have a portfolio that shows you know how to create all different lighting styles and highlight the selling points of the product, making it look attractive to the consumer. Products can range from pencils to cars, etc…

Food photographer

Can be freelance or employed by a food production company. Can shoot

for these companies or for magazines or cookbooks. Need to have a portfolio that shows different kinds of food looking delicious and perfect with appropriate and attractive props. Usually work in the studio.

Documentary photographer

Usually employed by a magazine or a news agency. Need to have a

portfolio that shows you can shoot in any lighting situation, can capture The moment and are not afraid to get close to your subject or the action. Subjects range from man-on-the-street stories to War. On location with travel often involved.

Event photographer

Can be freelance or employed by an event coordination company. Need

to be skilled with using a flash and be able to talk with people. Subjects typically include people receiving awards and mingling at functions.

Cruise ship photographer

Employed by a cruise line to photograph cruise-related events and

portraits of the passengers. Experience sometimes not necessary, training is provided. Need to be good at shooting with a flash. Travel involved.

Film Still Photographer

Usually freelance. Need a portfolio of photographs taken on a film set,

can be acquired by volunteering to do so on a student or low-budget film. Usually shoot with the camera in a soundproof box so that the shutter sound does not get recorded on the audio track of the film. Shoot the film scenes while they are being filmed or restage scenes without the film camera there. Need to be good at staying out of the way, capturing the story-telling moments, and at shooting portraits. Travel often involved.

Stock Photographer

Freelance with a contract with one or more stock agencies. Need a

portfolio to show the stock agencies to get the contract, showing that you can shoot a certain style or subject matter that they are in need of. Set up shoots with models at different locations, telling different stories. Submit images from shoots to stock agency where the chosen ones are kept to be leased for usage by ad agencies, magazines and graphic design firms. Receive quarterly checks based on sales of your images. Agency usually splits sales with you 50-50.

Photography professor

Bacherlors and masters degrees in photography or fine arts. Apply to

schools with resume, portfolio and transcripts. Teach 2-4 courses a semester as a full-time professor or fewer as an adjunct or part-time.

Camera supply salesperson

Work in a camera supply store. Knowledge of cameras, film and

equipment is needed along with good customer service.

Photography lab technician

Work in a photography lab, running the film-processing equipment.

Experience sometimes not necessary, will be trained.

Digital Retoucher

Work at a photography lab. Need experience and skills with retouching

photos, using programs like Photoshop. Need to be detail-oriented.

Artist

Pursue exhibitions by showing your portfolio to galleries and museums.

Submit photographs to contests and magazines. Sell your photographs at craft fairs and art shows or in a shop or booth. Need to be good at shooting images that people will want to buy, often travel or landscape photography. Travel often involved.

Photography Archivist or Restorer

Works at a historical society or museum. Catalog or restore old

photographs, using special chemicals.

Photographer’s Assistant

Can be freelance or work for one photographer or studio. Need a resume

and sometimes a portfolio, preferably of the same type of work as the photographer(s) does. Helps the photographer with anything and everything including: setting up lights and equipment; loading film; running errands; cleaning up the studio or location; standing in as a model; ordering lunch, charming the clients; carrying heavy equipment; taking light meter readings…

Military Photographer

Work for the military, shooting portraits of higher-ranking soldiers,

images of wars, photographs of ships or airplanes, etc…Travel often involved.

Photographic Equipment Technician

Can have own company or work for a repair company or photo supply

store. Repair or tune-up or clean photo equipment. Must be knowledgeable about equipment and different brands.

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