4 Careers That Deal With Photography

Photographers work in a diverse number of fields.

People entering the field of photography choose from a wide variety of career paths. You can work for yourself, do commercial photography, be in journalism or work as a fine artist. To enter the field, you can complete a bachelor's degree in photography at a college and on-the-job training by working as a photographer's assistant.

Portrait Photographer

Portrait photographers catch special moments on film.

In this role, you can work for a company or be self-employed. You shoot pictures for weddings, special family events, church functions and for schools. You sometimes also work with individual clients who need family photos or senior pictures. A portrait photographer uses a variety of equipment, including high-end digital cameras, lighting equipment and computer software to alter and print the photos. You must also handle the affairs of your business, including advertising, billing, training of other employees and scheduling sessions. The work environment can be at a certain location or in a personally owned studio. You must interact well with people and be self-motivated to handle business affairs.

Commercial Photography

Commercial photographers shoot landscapes for book illustrations.

Commercial photographers shoot a broad range of subjects for businesses and industries. Their subject matter includes natural landscapes, buildings and project models. These photographs are used as illustrations in books, for advertising purposes or for a company catalog. They also can be used to make a record of how a project changes over time. You are often sent out on location to do the shooting, whether at a national park or on a building site. This involves working in various climates and types of weather. You need to have strong technical knowledge to work with the necessary equipment.

Photojournalism

Photojournalists use their cameras to capture a story. They work primarily on location, shooting pictures of various events for magazines, newspapers and other media. Their work also appears on websites. You need a base of technical knowledge to use the equipment necessary for the job. This includes digital camera equipment and computer software that is used to improve the quality of the pictures taken. You can receive training through a college or university that offers a photojournalism program. A photojournalist deals with people in a wide variety of contexts and situations, so taking courses in sociology, psychology and economics can be helpful. You can get hands-on training by taking part in an internship where you will work with experienced photojournalists.

Fine Art Photographer

Fine art photographers focus on a certain subject matter for their work.

As a fine art photographer, the photos that you take are done as an expression of your vision of the subjects used. The pictures are sold to individuals who display them in a home, business or other location. They might be put on display in the gallery, or you might sell them through your own website. Some photographers use digital camera equipment and computer software to process the pictures, while others use film and a developing lab. These artists are mostly self-employed and must have a strong technical knowledge of the equipment they are using. Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor of fine arts degree in photography. You also need to build up a portfolio of your best work to show to clients and galleries.

References

• United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: Photographers
• National Press Photographers Association: Getting Started in Photojournalism
• Ithica College: Film, Photography, and Visual Arts (B.F.A.)

Resources

• Career Services: Arts
• Professional Photographers of America