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.