|
Average Salary & Job Outlook
Photographer Median wages (2006) $38,730 annual
U.S. Minimum Wage
$10,712 Annually
*Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
The average yearly salary of photographersin the United States was $26,170 in May 2006. The top 10 percent of photographers earned more than $56,640.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job prospects for photographers are expected to increase about as fast as the average for all other industries. Photography is an attractive career path for many, so job seekers can expect keen competition. There will be a need for more portrait photographers, as magazines, newspapers, and journals continue to develop online versions of their work. People interested in becoming commercial or news photographers will be challenged since the number of openings is normally less than the number of people interested.
|
Photography touches almost every aspect of our lives. Open a magazine or turn on the television. You are immediately bombarded by pictures and images that are designed to influence the way you think and feel. You can find photographs on the side of a bus, on a billboard on the highway, or on the front of your t-shirt. No matter where you go, you just cannot avoid pictures!
Besides the occasional (or not so occasional) embarrassing childhood picture, there are lots of practical ways to use photography in the real-world. Remember, humans are highly visual creatures. We make assumptions and important decisions based on what we see, so the power of photography cannot be underestimated!
If you enjoy taking pictures and possess an artistic flair, you might want to consider becoming a professional photographer. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it takes a lot more than artistic skill to be successful in the competitive field of photography—you need to a degree to set you apart from all the other people who are wielding cameras!
With a photography degree, you will be able to learn from professionals who are knowledgeable about the latest digital technology and can help you learn the business tricks that are necessary to stay ahead.
So, what exactly does a photographer do? Photographers use all different types of cameras to take aesthetically-pleasing pictures, and then develop the images. Since pictures are used to convey important messages to the public, photographers are in high demand in almost every field—whether they work for a marketing company or a clothing designer.
Here are some exciting photography jobs that are available to graduates:
- Photojournalist – these types of photographers take pictures for newspapers and magazines. Their pictures help to tell a story about important current events.
- Portrait photographer - this individual takes pictures of families and people for special occasions.
- Medical photographer- takes pictures of patients at hospitals and physicians’ offices. Their photographs help doctors to diagnose and treat a particular condition
- Special events photographer – you’ll frequently find these types of photographers documenting events like weddings and family reunions
|
© 2009 Top Colleges LLC.
Affiliate Program
