Photographer

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Become a Photographer

If you enjoy taking pictures at family functions, packing your iPod with digital photographs of scenic vacations or if your friends don't recognize you unless there's a lens in front of your face then you might consider a career as a photographer.

Photography in a Nutshell

Becoming a photographer isn't just a snap. There are several different careers for aspiring shutterbugs to consider.

Technical and industrial photographers

Medical and forensic photographers

Press photographers and photojournalists

Freelance photographers

Portrait and fashion photographers

Industrial photographers work for manufacturers, taking pictures of workers on the job, the products they make and the conditions in which they are made. Their images improve facilities and productivity.

Medical photographers must have a rudimentary knowledge of science and medical terms.

Science photographers usually specialize in one area, such as aerodynamics. Besides working for the government, science photographers work for private foundations and companies.

Press photographers work for newspapers or wire services like WireImage. Their photographs feature a society event or prominent people in the news. Some of these photographers are part of the ubiquitous "paparazzi," the photographers who take candid photos of celebrities, socialites and politicians and sell their wares to the highest bidder.

Magazine photographers are usually freelancers and they submit ideas for stories to the magazine's editor. Some large magazines keep photographers on staff.

Portrait photographers take pictures of weddings, anniversaries, families, schools and any other event that features people.

Advertising photographers take pictures that sell a product; one high profile example is the fashion photographer who takes pictures of models, clothing and makeup and is on assignment from a magazine or trade journal.

Education Requirements for Photographers

Photography courses are offered at two-year technical colleges and four-year colleges and some colleges have programs that surpass the associate or design degree and offer a bachelor's or a master's degree in photography.

Day in the Life of a Photographer

Once you are a photographer you can expect to be kept busy, scurrying from one place and assignment to the next. Most photographers are self-employed so you'll be responsible for not only your creative vision but your bookings and recordkeeping as well. Photojournalists can face significant danger in their news careers depending upon where they are assigned. One thing is certain: as a photographer, you'll rarely be bored and quite often challenged by the demands of your job. You will also have interactions with lots of different people, depending upon your area, so being social is a plus in your profession.

Job Growth

Digital technology has radically affected the field of photography. Photographers will be needed to provide digital images to the growing number of online magazines, journals and newspaper sites though the greatest demand for photographers is still expected to be in technical fields.