Photographer

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Photographer
O*NET-SOC: 27-4021.00
Creative Arts
Captures images using digital or film cameras for commercial, editorial, portrait, or artistic purposes, handling lighting, composition, post-processing, and client relations.
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$43K
Median Salary
+4%
Stable
Bachelor's Degree
Min. Education
Moderate Balance
Work-Life Balance
About This Role

Photographers capture images that tell stories, preserve moments, or convey visual messages for clients, audiences, or personal artistic expression. The work is remarkably diverse - a photographer might spend one day in a corporate office taking executive portraits for an annual report, the next day documenting a wedding from ceremony through reception, and the third working in a studio perfecting product shots for an e-commerce catalog. Success requires both technical mastery and creative vision: understanding precisely how light, composition, and camera settings interact to create the desired mood or message, while also possessing the artistic sensibility to see compelling images others might miss. Photographers must be adaptable problem-solvers who work well under pressure, since they cannot reshoot a wedding ceremony or expect perfect weather during an outdoor shoot. The role suits creative people who are also detail-oriented, patient with both technology and people, and driven by the desire to create images that resonate visually. Their days blend technical work - adjusting lighting rigs, managing camera settings, dealing with equipment challenges - with interpersonal work, since photographing people requires the ability to put subjects at ease and communicate clearly about the vision. What makes photography rewarding is seeing a perfectly executed image come together, receiving feedback that a photo captured something meaningful, or building a body of work that reflects your artistic perspective. Challenges include managing client expectations, dealing with unpredictable conditions, investing constantly in expensive equipment, and competing in an increasingly crowded field where technical skill alone is no longer sufficient - business acumen and marketing savvy are essential for a sustainable career.
A Day in the Life

9:00 AM
Scout location and test lighting
Arrive at an outdoor venue for an afternoon client shoot. Walk the space, assess natural light quality at different times, and identify optimal shooting angles and backgrounds.
10:30 AM
Studio equipment setup and testing
Return to studio to prepare for a product photography session. Set up lighting rigs, test camera and lens combinations, and review client specifications for the shoot.
12:00 PM
Lunch and client communication
Grab lunch while reviewing emails from clients about upcoming projects and confirming final details for this afternoon's session regarding specific product angles and styling requirements.
1:00 PM
Product photography session
Photograph a series of products, adjusting lighting, props, and angles for each item. Capture multiple variations to give the client options for their needs.
3:30 PM
Image review and culling
Download session files to computer, review images for technical quality and composition, and select the best shots to present to the client.
4:30 PM
Post-processing and editing
Apply color correction, adjust exposure and contrast, retouch images as needed, and prepare edited files in the formats clients have requested.
5:30 PM
Equipment maintenance and business tasks
Clean lenses and camera equipment, back up all image files, and handle administrative work like invoicing recent clients and updating portfolio with newly completed projects.
Tools & Technologies

Graphics & Design

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Flickr

Web & Social Media

Facebook
WordPress

Databases & Data Tools

Microsoft Access
Cradoc fotoBiz
HindSight InView
Light Blue Software Light Blue
ShootQ photography studio management software

Video Editing

Adobe After Effects
Apple Final Cut Pro
WeVideo
YouTube

Accounting

QuickBooks
Blinkbid

Document Management

Adobe Acrobat

Salary Details

Salary Distribution

Salary distribution for Photographer: 10th percentile $30K, 25th $35K, median $43K, 75th $62K, 90th $95K Median $30K $35K $43K $62K $95K
Most professionals earn between $35K and $62K
Photographer salary percentile distribution Percentile Salary 10th $30K 25th $35K 50th (Median) $43K 75th $62K 90th $95K
Salary by State

Photographer salary by state map
Photographer salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range District of Columbia $111K $37K - $141K Massachusetts $61K $38K - $103K New York $58K $35K - $124K Oregon $56K $36K - $104K Minnesota $55K $32K - $91K New Jersey $51K $34K - $95K California $51K $36K - $131K Delaware $50K $29K - $69K Rhode Island $50K $33K - $75K Louisiana $50K $27K - $107K Connecticut $48K $37K - $87K New Hampshire $48K $21K - $73K Utah $48K $31K - $76K Hawaii $45K $31K - $71K Maryland $45K $33K - $89K Mississippi $45K $29K - $63K Maine $45K $34K - $76K Washington $45K $36K - $80K Colorado $44K $32K - $79K Virginia $43K $29K - $94K Kentucky $42K $21K - $64K New Mexico $42K $31K - $146K Georgia $40K $20K - $82K Wyoming $40K $30K - $64K Pennsylvania $40K $29K - $73K Wisconsin $39K $31K - $80K Nebraska $39K $28K - $72K North Carolina $38K $28K - $76K Florida $38K $30K - $93K Arizona $38K $31K - $97K Oklahoma $38K $20K - $60K Missouri $37K $29K - $84K Indiana $37K $27K - $60K Idaho $37K $30K - $76K Texas $37K $21K - $61K Iowa $36K $15K - $74K Alaska $36K $35K - $52K Montana $36K $23K - $121K Tennessee $36K $28K - $64K Kansas $36K $29K - $58K Nevada $36K $27K - $68K West Virginia $35K $28K - $48K South Dakota $35K $31K - $58K Alabama $35K $24K - $71K North Dakota $35K $31K - $55K South Carolina $35K $19K - $64K Illinois $35K $29K - $62K Ohio $34K $29K - $62K Arkansas $34K $24K - $59K
Lower ($34K-$72K)Middle (~$72K)Higher ($72K-$111K)
Highest Paying States

1.District of Columbia$111K
2.Massachusetts$61K
3.New York$58K
4.Oregon$56K
5.Minnesota$55K
Lowest Paying States

1.Arkansas$34K
2.Ohio$34K
3.Illinois$35K
4.South Carolina$35K
5.North Dakota$35K
Certifications, Training & Memberships

Essential

Adobe Creative Cloud Certification - Lightroom and Photoshop
Adobe
Course
Training on industry-standard post-processing and image editing software. Essential for modern photographers working with digital images.
Recommended

Professional Photographer Certification (PPA Certification)
Professional Photographers of America
Certification
Demonstrates advanced technical and creative competency in photography. Requires submission of work samples and passing examinations covering composition, lighting, and technical expertise.
Business of Photography Course or MBA specialization
Various online platforms
Course
Covers essential business skills for photographers including pricing, contracts, marketing, and financial management. Increasingly important for photographers building independent practices.
Professional Memberships

Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Membership
Professional Photographers of America
Membership
Provides access to industry resources, networking with other professionals, continuing education, and business guidance for running a photography business.
Work Environment

Remote Work Hybrid (Remote + Office)
Work Setting Mixed indoor / outdoor
Physical Activity Moderate physical activity
Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction
Schedule Extended hours common
Your Skills & Attributes

Skills & Competencies Matches (41)
Persuasion
Moderate Match
Instructing
Moderate Match
Negotiation
Partial Match
Operations Analysis
Partial Match
Management of Personnel Resources
Partial Match
Frequently Asked Questions

Is Photographer a good career?
Photographer can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $43K and job outlook is stable (4% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.
What degree do you need to become a Photographer?
The typical education requirement for a Photographer is a Bachelor's Degree. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.
How long does it take to become a Photographer?
Becoming a Photographer typically requires about 4 years of undergraduate study. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.
What is the work-life balance like for a Photographer?
The work-life balance for a Photographer is moderate, with some periods requiring extended hours or flexibility. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.
What is the job outlook for Photographer?
The job outlook for Photographer is stable. Employment is projected to grow by 4% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.
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