What does a Photographer do?
Photographers capture images using technical and creative skills. They take artfully composed professional images for a variety of activities and events. Some Photographers take family pictures or work predominantly at weddings, while others provide yearbook picture services to schools or work in a portrait studio at a mall or shopping centre. Photographers usually work either as contractors or freelancers.
Photographer skills and qualifications
A successful Photographer candidate need various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their job effectively, these include:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Good communication and people skills, with the ability to discuss complex artistic concepts in layman’s terms
- Detail-oriented, with the ability to work according to various schedules, timelines and deadlines
- Computer knowledge
- Ability to convert film to computer-readable images
- Expert in digital and film cameras and video cameras
- Skilled at composition, colour and light
- Knowledge of innovative editing software
Photographer experience requirements
Photographers should have several years of experience working with a variety of equipment including digital and film cameras, with lighting and microphone setups. They must also have experience using various image and video editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere. Experience in scheduling and setting up locations and subjects such as people or products in a photoshoot is key Knowledge of layout and design is a plus.
Photographer education and training requirements
The level of education needed for a Photographer varies by employer or type of freelance work. Regardless of education, a professional portfolio is required. Education includes a certificate or Foundation Degree associate degree in the field of the related industry. University or higher education college courses, as well as apprenticeships in photo imaging or creative and digital media, are valuable.
Some types of photography work require a Foundation Degree, National Diploma or Degree in Photography, Visual or Fine Arts or Commercial Photography. For management positions, such as Art Director or Senior Photographer, the candidate must have a Master’s Degree.
Photographer salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Senior Photographer is £110 per day. This figure varies depending on factors, such as experience, location and company.
Photographer job description samples for similar positions
If a Photographer is not quite what you are looking for, here are a few related sample job descriptions: