About Photographers

Photographers put pictures to stories, preserve memories and also shape the public sentiment about social and political issues. There is no officially recognized training course for photographers, no licensing exam and no certification that separates the professionals from the amateurs. Photographers rely on their skills, their abilities to be in the right place at the right time and the marketability of their portfolios. Read on and learn more about this profession.

Job Description

In simplest terms, photographers take pictures that capture current events. Since their venues of employment vary, so do job descriptions. For example, photographers who work in photo studios at major department stores are help families and children pose for pictures, decide on backgrounds and props and highlight optional photo enhancement to the customers. On the other hand, photographers who work for magazines receive assignments. This includes getting hard-to-obtain shots of celebrities, attending press conferences and also researching photo opportunities for stories that reporters are currently working on.

Employability

Photographers find work in portrait studios, at newspapers and in the wedding industry. Some photographers work as freelancers and try to get the best shots and then sell them to magazines. Some are known as paparazzi, who stake out celebrity hangouts and homes, while others listen intently to breaking news alerts and then head to the scene of the events to take pictures. Other freelance photographers work as artists who take photos of nature and then sell the photo as artwork.

Skills Needed

A background in commercial or fine art is a definite plus for photographers. In addition to good equipment, photographers also need artistic talent for recognizing the perfect shot, the patience to wait until conditions are right for taking a shot and also meticulous accuracy when it comes to documenting the location of a photo and the day and time when it was taken. Photographers who work with their subjects need to have the ability to help people feel less self-conscious in front of the lens. Freelance photographers need to add business skills---such as record keeping, marketing and an understanding of legal issues---to their portfolios.

Job Outlook

With the advent of camera phones, vigilante journalism is on the rise and professional news photographers find they are being pushed aside. Moreover, the arrival of freelance paparazzi makes it harder for photo journalists to find employment. Commercial photography and art photography, however, still offer plentiful employment. The same holds true for portrait photography.

Misconceptions

Federal and state laws provide some boundaries when it comes to photographing private and also public citizens. Moreover, municipalities also enact legislation with respect to paparazzi activity. It is a common misconception that photographers exercise their first amendment right when taking pictures of a venue, and that there should be no rules or regulations.

Resources

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics Publishes a Mixed Outlook for Photographers
• DigiPhoto.ThePodCastNetwork.com: Podcasted About Photographers' Rights