Description
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
Interests
- Realistic
- Artistic
Work Values
- Independence
- Relationships
- Achievement
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Concern for Others
- Self-Control
Tasks
- Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
- Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
- Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Thinking Creatively
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Selling or Influencing Others
Detailed Work Activities
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Video creation and editing software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Accounting software
- Web page creation and editing software
Abilities
- Near Vision
- Far Vision
- Oral Expression
- Originality
- Visualization
Skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Communications and Media
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Adobe Certified Associate - Adobe PhotoshopCertifying Organization
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
Adobe Lightroom 3 PhotographyCertifying Organization
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
Total Body Photography CertificationCertifying Organization
BioCommunications Association, Inc. - Board of Registry
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Digital Imaging - Certified Digital DesignerCertifying Organization
American Design Drafting Association/American Digital Design Association
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $32,605 |
| Median (50%) | $45,032 |
| High (90%) | $68,544 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $42,157 |
| Mid Level | $60,113 |
| Senior Level | $72,588 |
| Expert Level | $108,918 |
Employability
There are currently 151,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 156,900 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 4%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 4%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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