The Different Avenues of Photography

Fashion is only one branch of photography.

Photographers are creative professionals who fill the world with images that record human history. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those interested in a photography career will face stiff competition from the many people interested in the field. Fortunately, there are many avenues of employment for photographers to pursue.

Commercial and News Photography

Commercial photographers create images to sell products, including fashion, food and political candidates. Fashion photographers work with stores, fashion designers, models, fashion shows and catalogs. Food photographers create images of food for cookbooks, magazines, ads, cooking schools, restaurants and markets. Publicity photographers work with publicists, public relations firms and non-profit organizations to generate publicity about people, places and events. Stock image photographers create libraries of images that they rent for short-term use. Documentary photographers create images for governments, non-profit organizations and media outlets that inform the public about issues such as war, injustice, economic hardships and environmental problems. Photojournalists create visual records of current events, such as rallies, trials, accidents, wars and protests for news outlets, TV stations and websites.

Portrait

Portrait photographers create artistic representations of their clients. Baby and child photographers create photographs of infants and children for families and commercial interests such as advertising agencies, modeling agencies and casting agencies. Boudoir photographers create intimate photographs of both men and women for private use as gifts for their significant others as well as promotional pieces for actors and models. Pet photographers create both indoor and outdoor photos of pets for owners, breeders and animal shows.

Fine Art and Education

Photographers play several roles in arts and education. Fine art photographers use photography as a medium of creativity and self-expression. They work on both their own ideas and concepts commissioned by clients. Their images appear in museums, galleries, homes and offices. Museum photographers create images of individual museum pieces, whole displays and items in storage for museum archives, special events and publicity. Photography instructors help create interest in photography by educating students of all ages. They help students develop skills in shooting, developing film, creating prints and critiquing photos.

Scientific

Scientific photographers record scientific discoveries. Archaeological photographers photograph archeological finds, expeditions and artifacts for universities, publications and museums. They may work in the studio or travel to excavations around the world. Oceanographic photographers create images of the world's oceans and waterways for researchers, government agencies, the military and construction companies working on dams, bridges and other structures. They also create books and articles about sea life, the environment and related issues. Medical photographers create images of medical conditions for patient records, pamphlets, textbooks, scientific papers, educational films and presentations.

Movies and Television

Photographers are also active in film and video production. A cinematographer, also called a director of photography, helps movie and television directors create the artistic feel of motion pictures and television series by finding locations for shooting, selecting lighting, planning camera angles and camera movements, selecting equipment and creating compositions for each scene. Videographers create videos for weddings, parties, school graduations, government and business meetings, employee training, police and fire department records and other many other events. Television camera operators control the cameras that capture the visual images for TV series, news programs and sporting events.

References

• "Career Opportunities in Photography"; George Gilbert, Pamela Fehl; 2006
• "Professional Commercial Photography"; Lou Jacobs Jr.; 2010
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Photographers