Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographer
I document and shoot long term photo projects for a variety of topics and news sources.
CAREER
Photographers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$41,280
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-3.6% (decline)
Most Common Level of Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Photographers Do
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.
Other Job Titles Photographers May Have
Advertising Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Graduation Photographer, Newspaper Photographer, Photo Editor, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer, Sports Photographer, Studio Photographer
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I have a very fast-paced work environment and things are constantly changing. I always have to be ready to adapt or change things up. I also do a lot of physical labor by setting up and moving equipment. I have to maintain a high level of energy throughout the day.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
- 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.
- 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Photographers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (43%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographer
Empathy is the key attribute needed for any journalist.
There are four skills everyone should know: the fundamentals of business, how to speak with people from different backgrounds, network to build relationships, and have patience with yourself and others. In photography, you need to have an attention to detail and a laid back personality so that people can relax in front of the camera.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Middle School Students
Shoot lots of photos and look at lots of photo websites/books.
Photographer/Artist/Teacher
Do some research on photography and graphic art. Talk to your art teacher, photographers and artists. Find out where they went to school, how they became artists and teachers. Ask them when they knew this was their passion. List your favorite things to do and then number 1,2,3 as your top choices. Select courses that relate to those top 3, Explore other areas in middle school and high school but be sure to select those favorite areas too.
High School Students
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
