Photographers
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
People, landscapes, merchandise, and other subjects are photographed in studio or on location, using flashes and reflectors to shape the light. Aperture, shutter speed, and focus are set for the light, the depth of field, and whether the subject is moving; tripods, filters, and flash attachments come out as needed. Finished pictures are transferred to a computer, then edited, retouched, and resized with specialized software before they are archived or sent on. What the picture should look like is decided first, then subjects, equipment, and lighting are adjusted to get it. Suits people who like hands-on camera work, detailed image editing, and photographing people face to face.
Typical education: Some College Courses
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$44'660
Median Wage Market Position
$44'660
What you might do
- Compose shots and choose camera settings
- Set aperture, shutter speed, and focus
- Light subjects with flashes and reflectors
- Photograph people in studio or on location
- Edit and retouch images on a computer
- Transfer photos for archiving and sending
Skills that matter
- Listening to what clients want photographed
- Setting aperture, shutter speed, and focus
- Shaping light with flashes and reflectors
- Guiding people during studio and location shoots
- Editing images with specialized software
- Composing shots of people and merchandise
AI & the future of this role
Generative image tools and automated editing may absorb much commercial and stock photography work done on screens. Sessions that rely on client trust, real locations, or specialized shoots could hold up better, yet overall exposure remains high.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details