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Writer's pictureGeorge Arun A

A Career in Photography

George Arun A

04-03-23



Peter Sakes


A career as a photographer opens many different doors for you and gives you the options for a whole variety of different photography careers. You can work in the world of journalism, big business, science and art. You can decide to run your own business, or you can work for a salary.


Many people think of studio photography when they consider a photography career, producing studio portraits and other similar work. However, there are many more options that this. Journalism is a great area of photographers, who can specialize in news photography, or maybe sports photography. Some photographic journalists specialize in magazine photography, recording fashion and the lives of the famous. There is also a very venerable tradition of news photographers who became war correspondents, documenting war and other world crises through the lens.


Photographers can also work in business, documenting processes and events that concern large corporations or working with the publicity and media departments. You can have a photography career as a science photographer, recording visually the effects of research and development, or you can do similar work specializing in medicine. The career options are wide for a professional photographer, making this a popular career.


If you want to be a photographer, you will need to go through an education in order to acquire the skills and knowledge you need to do the job properly. However, you will also need other personal qualities to be a good photographer, including: -

  • Artistic ability in order to be able to see the photo opportunities around you.

  • An eye for composition, allowing you to create a picture with the right elements in the right place to send the message you wish.

  • Attention to detail - it is often the details of a picture that can make it or break it.

  • Patience - sometimes you will have to wait for hours, days or even weeks for the right images to arrive.

  • Practical abilities to be able to "finish" a photograph using development or digital techniques.

  • An ability to be able to read the market for the style and type of photographs that are acceptable and in demand.

For many people, being a photographer is not just a career, it is also a way of looking at the world, and in order to be able to do this well, you need to develop the right traits.


32 careers in photography


As a photographer, you get to take photos of various subjects or objects in different environments. However, you can also narrow your scope and focus on a particular photography niche. If you're interested in pursuing a career as a photographer, consider the following types of photography jobs:


Portrait photographer


Portrait photographers aim to capture a person's personality through the use of proper lighting and backdrops. They may take portraits of a child on their first day of school or take headshots of a company's employees for use on the company website. Apart from taking photos, they also make appointments, bill their clients and process images. Portrait photographers can either work on location or in their studio. In addition, they're either self-employed or work for a business.


Commercial photographer


Commercial photography aims to market a client's products or services. Commercial photographers can take pictures of buildings, merchandise or a company's employees.


Scientific photographer


Scientific photographers document subjects for scientific experiments, to illustrate technical information, for record-keeping purposes or to show something in an image that you can't see with the naked eye. Scientific photographers often work in a research facility or for a government agency.


Photojournalist


Also known as news photographers, photojournalists take photos of people and events for use in news publications like newspapers or magazines. They may cover sports events, political rallies, court proceedings or local and national events. Photojournalists tell a story and help share breaking news with the public through their images. As skilled storytellers, they often work for newspapers, either on staff or on a freelance basis.


Freelance photographer


Freelance photographers work for themselves rather than for a studio, company or publication. You can become a freelance photographer in a variety of industries, depending on availability. Though freelance photographers don't have a steady income compared to other photographers, this type of career allows you to work in many fields, ensuring you don't get bored.


Photo editor


Photo editors lead a team of photographers, coordinate their assignments and approve their images. They also select and edit photos for color correction or other purposes. In addition, photo editors negotiate photo fees and rights and make sure they have permission to shoot in a particular location.


Wedding photographer


Wedding photographers take photos at a wedding ceremony and reception. Not only do wedding photographers take portraits, but they also use their event photography skills to document various settings and groups of people. As opposed to other photography careers, you often don't get the chance to recreate a shot as a wedding photographer. Therefore, you have to move and think quickly while wandering around the reception and wedding ceremony. In addition, you have to adapt to changing weather conditions and lighting changes.


Event photographer


Event photographers work in a fast-paced environment, taking photos in a variety of settings such as a live concert or corporate event. They typically use both their photojournalistic and portraiture skills when shooting at various events. While some companies use their event photos for publicity and marketing, others use them as keepsakes.


Product photographer


Product photographers take photos of a company's products or items manufactured for sale. Though you often take photos of a particular product, you may also take photos of models with a product. The photos you take often get published online or in print catalogs. You may also find product photos on a company's labels or brand packaging. Product photographers often work in a studio where they have greater control over the lighting, shadows and background. Some types of product photography include food photography and jewelry photography.


Fine art photographer


Fine art photographers essentially create art without any set rules. They attempt to capture an emotional response and communicate a message to an audience. You can often find a fine art photographer's art in art shows and inside art galleries. Typically, these shows and galleries sell framed fine art photography to their customers. While this type of photography doesn't have a particular subject in mind, many fine art photographers take photos of landscapes or shoot portraits.


Fashion photographer


Fashion photographers take photos of models wearing the latest styles and trends. With this job, you can take cover shots for fashion magazines or photograph models on the runway. Fashion photographers work in a variety of settings such as in a studio or on location. Apart from taking fashion photos, they also help models get the right pose. In addition, they direct the models and their assistants to ensure they get the right shot for the publication.


Architectural photographer


Architectural photographers take photos of buildings. Whether they work for an architectural agency or as a freelancer, they aim to capture the building's essence and form, from building to completion. Architectural photographers capture both the interior and exterior of a building while pointing out subtle details that accentuate the building's unique design. They use various techniques to help avoid distortion and ensure their images capture the right perspective and angles.


Travel photographer

As a travel photographer, you get paid to go to unique locations and photograph what you see. This type of photography allows you to blend a variety of photography styles. For example, you can photograph the people and their lifestyles, the landmarks you visit, the food you eat or the wildlife you encounter. Whether you photograph a tropical beach or the icebergs in Antarctica, you have the opportunity to take your audience around the globe without the need for luggage or a passport.


Advertising photographer


Advertising photographers take photos for use on billboards, magazine advertisements and other related signage or platforms. As an advertising photographer, you work with different subjects and get to shoot everything from fashion to products. While some advertising photographers work on a freelance basis, others work for advertising agencies. Depending on your particular assignment, you may take photos for a print advertising campaign one day and shoot photos for an internet advertisement the next.


Pet photographer


Pet photographers take photos of an individual's animals. While pet photographers take photos of a variety of animals, they may have to offer them a treat to ensure they stay in place for the right shot. Pet photographers work in a variety of conditions, whether it's inside a studio or in an outdoor or outdoor location.


Sports photographer


Sports photographers take photos of athletes during practice sessions or sporting events. Working from the sidelines, they use long lenses to zoom in on the action and capture big plays or winning shots. Sports teams often use this type of photography for their publicity materials or other marketing or advertising purposes. In addition, news outlets and publications use sports photography for their online or print sports news sections.


Aerial photographer

Aerial photography involves taking images of landscapes from high above in the sky. While planes and cameras were long used for this type of photography, drones have since helped aerial photographers capture the perfect shot without having to leave the ground. To use these unmanned aerial vehicles, you often need a proper license.


Documentary photographer


Documentary photographers take photos to chronicle events or environments that hold historical or everyday significance. Similar to photojournalists, they capture real-life moments and help convey a message about the world at large.


Stock photographer


Stock photographers sell the rights to their images to websites and catalogs. While they can work on a freelance basis, many have agencies handle their photography sales. Though they don't make much from each sale, they aim to create a large catalog of photos that they can frequently sell. Once they sell their images and they're uploaded to a website, they create ongoing passive income.


Commercial/industrial photographer


Commercial and industrial photographers shoot images for books, catalogs and other forms of media. As a commercial and industrial photographer, you have the opportunity to photograph a variety of subjects and objects. Industrial photographers, for example, get to take photos of machinery and blue-collar employees on site.


Abstract photographer



Abstract photographers depict visual images or concepts that don't immediately associate with the object world. To create abstract images, you use a variety of photographic equipment, materials or techniques. Typically, you focus on a specific fragment of a natural scene, taking you away from the greater context. When you do this, it showcases the scene's lines, shapes, geometry or other elements.


Adventure photographer


Adventure photographers take pictures of their various excursions and travels, often in the great outdoors. Adventure photography often includes images with beautiful landscapes and lively people. As an adventure photographer, you often have to prepare for continuously changing shooting conditions.


Food photographer


Food photographers use their still-life photography skills to create attractive images of food. As a form of commercial photography, you can find food photography in magazines, advertisements, cookbooks and websites.


Glamour photographer


Unlike fashion photographers, glamour photographers don't focus on a model's clothes or the shoot's location. Instead, they take photos that focus on the beauty of a person—typically a female. They often shoot images that focus on the model's body.


Landscape photographer


Landscape photographers capture images that show the great outdoors. While some of their images show vast landscapes, others show microscopic elements found in nature. Landscape photographers aim to capture nature's presence, though they may also take photos of man-made features or a landscape's disturbances.


Real estate photographer


Real estate photographers capture images of real estate property. They often shoot homes and office locations for use in advertisements or publications. Real estate photographers shoot both the interior and exterior of a building or home, showing the audience different rooms, features and angles.


Newborn photographer


Newborn photographers take photos of a family's new infant. Oftentimes, these newborns are less than two weeks old. They aim to capture beautiful images of newborns before they grow up.


Still-life photographer

Still-life photographers capture images of inanimate objects. They essentially apply photography to the still-life artistic style. Still-life photographers often use common items for their photographs such as vases, fruits and flowers.


Cityscape photographer


Cityscape photographers take images of a city's physical aspects in its urban or metropolitan areas. Photographing during the day and night, they use a variety of techniques to capture different perspectives and angles.


Wildlife photographer


Wildlife photographers photograph a variety of animals in their natural habitat. If they're photographing dangerous animals, they use their stalking skills and knowledge of the species to better conceal themselves and stay away from danger while taking photos. Apart from capturing wildlife, wildlife photographers also show life in the wild in general.


Family photographer


Family photographers capture images of a family in a portrait-type situation. Whether staged or posed, these images show the relationships and dynamics within a family. Typically, families ask for these photos for their own enjoyment or to include on a greeting or Christmas card.


Concert photographer

Under the umbrella of event photographers, concert photographers take images at a live music event. While they may shoot at a small club, you can also find them at larger arena events. Concert photographers often have to deal with large crowds, dark lighting and constantly moving subjects.

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