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Photographer Job Outlook
Employment of photographers is expected to grow
about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. Photographers can
expect keen competition for job openings because the work is attractive to many
people.
Employment change. Demand for
portrait photographers should increase as the population grows. Moreover, growth
of Internet versions of magazines, journals, and newspapers will require
increasing numbers of commercial photographers to provide digital images. The
Internet and improved data management programs also should make it easier for
freelancers to market directly to their customers, increasing opportunities for
self-employment and decreasing reliance on stock photo agencies. As a result,
employment of photographers is expected to grow 10 percent over the 2006-16
projection period, about as fast
as the average for all occupations.
Job growth, however, will be constrained somewhat
by the widespread use of digital photography and the falling price of digital
equipment. Improvements in digital technology reduce barriers of entry into this
profession and allow more individual consumers and businesses to produce, store,
and access photographic images on their own. Photojournalists may be adversely
affected by the increase in “citizen journalism”—when newspapers buy images
taken by non-professionals who happen to be at the scene of an event. Declines
in the newspaper industry also will reduce demand for photographers to provide
still images for print.
Job prospects. Photographers can
expect keen competition for
job openings because the work is attractive to many people. The number of
individuals interested in positions as commercial and news photographers usually
is much greater than the number of openings. Salaried jobs in particular may be
difficult to find as more companies contract with freelancers rather than hire
their own photographers. Those who succeed in landing a salaried job or
attracting enough work to earn a living by freelancing are likely to be adept at
operating a business and to be among the most creative. They will be able to
find and exploit the new opportunities available from rapidly changing
technologies. Related work experience, job-related training, or some unique
skill or talent—such as a background in computers or electronics—also improve a
photographer’s job prospects.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
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Photographer Income
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