Career Advice on How to Become a PhotographerPhotography Careers, General Information |
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Many, many people love to take photos. As a result, there is intense competition in the field for jobs for photographers. This competition is heightened by the fact that quite literally anyone can buy a camera, slap a large lens on the front of it, and proclaim, “I am a photographer.” And they are correct, but it doesn’t mean they are a professional photographer, nor does it mean they are a good photographer with skills that can lead to careers in photography.
A good photographer is at least a competent artist who understands how to use light, shadow and darkness and how to frame a shot. Unlike many artistic endeavors, one can learn to become a decent photographer with photography career training and effort.
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Photography Careers, Career Facts: |
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Many photography jobs will require a degree in photography. This is especially true in photojournalism, scientific photography or industrial photography. In general, a degree in photography along with a nice, preferably impressive, portfolio of work, is needed to land a photography job. Many universities, technical schools and community colleges offer degrees or course work in photography, which can be very beneficial to a career in photography.
If you are looking to be self-employed, then it is tough to beat choosing a photography career. About half of all photographers are, in fact, self-employed. They work for all sorts of clients, ranging from magazines to advertising agencies, to portrait studios. When one considers the variety of photos that are taken every year, it becomes obvious why there were over 122,000 people employed in the United States in 2006, working careers in photography. |
Careers in Photography, Opportunities and Job Outlook-Fair: |
| The job growth for photography careers from 2006 to 2016 is expected to be about ten percent. This translates to 13,000 new photography jobs being created for photographers by 2016, which means a roughly average rate of photography career growth. |
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Photography Jobs, A Day in The Life: |
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Few jobs can vary as much as photography jobs. Since every aspect of life and human existence is covered, cataloged and photographed by the individual working a career in photography, it is no real surprise that the job of photographer can vary more than most. The day in the life of a photography career in a war zone is much different than a wedding photographer or a photojournalist taking snap shots at a small town’s first Starbucks. Regardless, a professional photographer is definitely under pressure to take, at the very least, a solid photo on most occasions. A blurred or poorly framed shot will usually not be tolerated too often.
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Photography Careers, Average Salary: |
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In 2006, the average person working a career in photography earned about $26,000, with the top ten percent earning about $56,000. The high rate of competition, no doubt, keeps overall salaries on the low side.
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$26k - $56k |
Careers in Photography, Training and Qualifications: |
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It is possible to enter the field, and begin a photography career without a college degree or associates degree in photography, especially if one proves that he or she can do exceptional work. But there is little doubt that a degree in the field of photography can be of immense assistance when it comes time for your photography job search and photography career planning.
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