What is a Photographer?
A photographer is a trained professional who records images using a camera, special lights, and other tools to enhance their subject. Photographers tend to fall into one of four categories: commercial, fashion, journalistic, and fine art. Commercial photographers work for businesses and often take photographs of products for use in catalogs, on websites, or other purposes. They might also have businesses that focus on portraiture or wedding photography.
Fashion photographers are much like commercial photographers in that they capture images for the sole purpose of product promotion. However, they spend much more time working with human models with the goal of creating a glamorous image. Photojournalists work for newspapers or magazines and capture images that pertain to news stories. Some travel the world and photograph war scenes, while others take photographs for hometown daily newspapers. Some also specialize in sports photography, or even hunt celebrities as paparazzi.
Fine art photographers are often off-duty commercial, fashion, or journalistic photographers who capture images that are intended to evoke emotion or tell a story that has a wider social application than commerce. They still offer their work for sale, but in fine art galleries. They are not commissioned to photograph a product, but their work is valued based on its compositional and artistic merit alone.
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Step 1: Find a passion for photography
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Step 2: Academic Training
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Step 3: Create a Portfolio
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Step 4: Internship
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Step 5: Job Opportunities
Step 1: Find a passion for photography
Many photographers discover a love for their art and craft as youngsters. If you've ever been intrigued with capturing new or unusual images, you might have a spark of what it takes to build a career in photography. You might also be fascinated with the character of light through a window or at certain times of day.
Many photographers have interests in other art forms, as well. Film and cinematography might be an early passion, as well as drawing and painting. Photography has much in common with these expressive forms. No matter what sort of photography you pursue, you must have a passion for capturing an image in a way that best expresses its essence.
Step 2: Academic Training
Once you've established that you are driven to be a photographer, you might decide to seek out formal training. In an academic environment you will learn to have discipline in your art form. Classroom assignments might seem boring or mundane at times, but you'll be learning key skills that you can apply later. During the course of your schooling, you will learn the technical aspects of your camera, the properties of light, and how to manipulate and print your photographs in the most effective way possible.
In an academic setting you will have access to experts in your field who will give you the benefit of their experience and knowledge. You will also be given the latitude to experiment in ways that the working world does not. A degree can show that you know the basics and help you obtain roles that you might not otherwise have access to.
Step 3: Create a Portfolio
A strong portfolio is crucial for showcasing your skills and attracting clients or employers. It acts as a visual resume, highlighting your best work and unique style. Choose a variety of your top photos that demonstrate your abilities across different settings and styles, focusing on quality over quantity.
If you're just starting out, you can include personal projects, practice shots, and any work for friends or clients. As you gain experience, tailor your portfolio to the niche you want to pursue: weddings, fashion, commercial photography, etc. Keep the layout clean and easy to navigate, presenting your photos clearly. You can use online platforms like Squarespace, Adobe Portfolio, Behance, or create a printed version for in-person clients or galleries.
If applicable, consider including before-and-after shots to demonstrate your editing skills. This will highlight your ability to enhance photos using software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Lastly, remember to update your portfolio regularly as you gain new experience and refine your skills. A polished, up to date portfolio will help you stand out and give you confidence when approaching clients or applying for photography jobs.
Step 4: Internship
There is no substitute for experiential learning and that applies to photography, too. By the time you are ready to work as an intern, you’ll likely have enough experience to know in what direction you wish to push your work. You could seek out an internship with a commercial photographer who spends their days shooting products for catalogs, a photojournalist for a local paper, or a fashion photographer. The work might be mundane, such as setting up lighting or adjusting clothing on a human (or not) model, but this sort of experience will allow you to observe the inner workings of the profession.
Step 5: Job Opportunities
Once you have completed formal training and a period of experiential learning, you can strike out into the professional world. The main concern you might have starting out is with your equipment. While cellphone cameras have undoubtedly come a long way, most professional commercial photographers still use much of the equipment that has been in use since the mid-20th century. They use standard cameras, known as DSLRs, with detachable lenses, tripods, and large lighting rigs. You’ll need to make your best decision based on your knowledge of the technology and your intended use.
You might then go to work as an independent businessperson who focuses on commercial, portrait, fashion, or photojournalism. You might find work as an employee for a newspaper, magazine, or marketing firm. You could also strike out as a freelance photographer and seek the shots that magazines pay big money for, such as celebrity sightings.
Photographer Careers and Salary
Where Might You Work?
Photographers generally work for smaller independent businesses and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that up to 60% work as independent contractors or are otherwise self-employed. Commercial and fashion photographers might be part of a studio that employs as many as ten people, but it's often fewer. Portrait photographers also work in studios, but a large part of their business might involve on-site work such as taking school photos, corporate portraits, or weddings.
Journalistic photographers work in the outside world, tracking down images to fit certain stories. They might accompany a writer or reporter. Some journalistic photographers even work for travel magazines and spend their time traveling the world to photograph exotic holiday locations.
The only photographers who work in a typical office environment are photographic editors. In fact, they probably spend much of their time in darkened rooms examining and enhancing photographs. They use their trained eyes and editorial sensibility to select the right image to accompany stories. They also use photo enhancement tools such as Photoshop to put the finishing touches on an image.