Photography employment includes a number of different job titles. To be a successful photographer, a person needs to have a good balance between technical expertise and creativity.
Photography Equipment
Most modern photographers use digital cameras instead of the film variety to capture images, although some of them do switch between the two. In addition to using a good quality camera, a photographer also needs to know how to use filters and camera lenses to achieve the effect they are looking for. Photographers also need to be familiar with how to use a tripod and lighting equipment to perform their job duties well.
Digital Cameras
A digital camera works by capturing the image the photographer has shot electronically. Once the images have been uploaded to a computer, they can be edited in a number of ways. The image can be resized, changed, or modified by adding color to it. Once the editing process has been completed, the image can be printed, e-mailed to another person, or posted online.
Photography Employment: Career Options
Photographers often specialize in certain areas, such as
- Portraits
- Commercial and Industrial
- News
Portrait Photographers
If you like taking images of people, then you may want to consider becoming a portrait photographer. You can choose to focus on one type of event to photograph, such as weddings or school photographs.
Many portrait photographers work from their own studios; if this area of photography is something that interests you, taking some business courses along with your photography training makes a lot of sense. This combination of courses will help you be able to arrange for advertising, budget, hire and train employees, etc.
Commercial and Industrial
Another form of photography employment is in the commercial and industrial realm. If you choose to specialize in commercial photography, you may be asked to take photos of buildings, landscapes, products, and/or models. Once the pictures have been edited, they may be used for advertising campaigns, catalogues, reports, or books. Industrial photography involves capturing images of machines, equipment, and products. Company officials and employees may be photographed, depending on the project. You will likely be asked to go to the company's office, factory, or work location to perform your duties.
News Photographers
If you decide to specialize in the area of news photography, you may be working for a newspaper, a magazine, or a television studio. Some photojournalists choose to specialize in certain niches, such as sports, celebrities, political events, or community happenings.
Freelance Photographers
Freelance photographers are self-employed. They generally specialize in a certain type of photography and take on assignments given to them by clients. They may also take photographs and sell them to magazines, such as in the case of a celebrity photographer. The freelance photographer may also be contracted to a stock-photo agency; the agency agrees to pay the photographer a commission on the photos that it sells to magazines and other buyers.
Education for Photography Employment
To prepare for work as a professional photographer, consider signing up for a course at a technical school, vocational school, or college. You might want to pursue a degree program in business and take photography courses to prepare you for the challenges and rewards of being self-employed.
It's also a good idea to join a local photography club to meet other people who share your passion for photography and possibly help you find work when you are ready to seek employment. Looking for part-time and/or summer work in the photography field will give you some practical experience to put on your resume, as well.
