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Photographer Training and Qualifications
Employers usually seek applicants with a “good eye,” imagination, and
creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of photography.
Photojournalists or industrial or scientific photographers generally need a
college degree. Freelance and portrait photographers need technical proficiency,
gained through a degree, training program, or experience.
Education and training. Entry-level positions in
photojournalism or in industrial or scientific photography generally require a
college degree in photography or in a field related to the industry in which the
photographer seeks employment. Entry-level freelance or portrait photographers
need technical proficiency. Some complete a college degree or vocational
training programs.
Photography courses are offered by many universities, community and junior
colleges, vocational-technical institutes, and private trade and technical
schools. Basic courses in photography cover equipment, processes, and
techniques. Learning good business skills is important and some bachelor’s
degree programs offer courses focusing on them. Art schools offer useful
training in photographic design and composition.
Photographers may start out as assistants to experienced photographers.
Assistants acquire the technical knowledge needed to be a successful
photographer and also learn other skills necessary to run a portrait or
commercial photography business.
Some photographers enter the field by submitting unsolicited a portfolio of
photographs to magazines and to art directors at advertising agencies; for
freelance photographers, a good portfolio is essential.
Individuals interested in a career in photography should try to develop
contacts in the field by subscribing to photographic newsletters and magazines,
joining camera clubs, and seeking summer or part-time employment in camera
stores, newspapers, or photo studios.
Other qualifications. Photographers need good eyesight,
artistic ability, and good hand-eye coordination. They should be patient,
accurate, and detail-oriented and should be able to work well with others, as
they frequently deal with clients, graphic designers, and advertising and
publishing specialists. Photographers need to know how to use computer software
programs and applications that allow them to prepare and edit images, and those
who market directly to clients should know how to use the Internet to display
their work.
Portrait photographers need the ability to help people relax in front of the
camera. Commercial and fine arts photographers must be imaginative and original.
News photographers must not only be good with a camera, but also understand the
story behind an event so that their pictures match the story. They must be
decisive in recognizing a potentially good photograph and act quickly to capture
it.
Photographers who operate their own business, or freelance, need business
skills as well as talent. These individuals must know how to prepare a business
plan; submit bids; write contracts; keep financial records; market their work;
hire models, if needed; get permission to shoot on locations that normally are
not open to the public; obtain releases to use photographs of people; license
and price photographs; and secure copyright protection for their work. To
protect their rights and their work, self-employed photographers require basic
knowledge of licensing and copyright laws, as well as knowledge of contracts and
negotiation procedures.
Freelance photographers also should develop an individual style of
photography to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Advancement. After several years of experience, magazine and
news photographers may advance to photography or picture editor positions. Some
photographers teach at technical schools, film schools, or universities
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
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Photographer Job
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