More Information About Photography

What should I know when considering a degree in Photography ?

Photographers see the world through their camera lens and literally capture their surroundings for a living. A photography degree can take you anywhere depending on your specialty, your experience and, most importantly, your desire.

Photography encompasses many different careers, salary earnings and expected education. Apart from having higher education, a photographer must possess an aesthetic eye, an imaginative mind and a creative outlook on life. The long list of careers in the field of photography includes portrait photographers, photojournalists, scientific photographers, commercial and industrial photographers and freelance artists.

Earning Potential

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, photographers made an annual wage of $34,000 in 2007. However, this includes all types of photographers from freelance artists to commercial photographers. The top 10 per cent of all photographers made nearly $60,000 in 2007 while, as reported by the California Employment Development Department, a few photographers make well over $100,000 a year.

Career Opportunities
Commercial Photographer

Commercial photographers work in a variety of industries and take photos of buildings, models, merchandise, artifacts and landscapes for commercial use in media, advertisements, and reports. Industrial photographers take photos of equipment, machinery, products, and company officials for analysis, publicity and proposals. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, commercial and industrial photographers account for most of the career prospects in photography and the average salary ranged from $31,000- $58,000 in 2007.

Scientific Photographer

Scientific photographers take images for scientific or medical data including fields relating to engineering, medicine, biology or chemistry. This type of photography has a promising future and one of the highest salary prospects in the field with an average of $58,000 in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

News Photographer

News photographers, also called photojournalists, work in the media and focus on people, places, sporting, political, community and other newsworthy events for newspapers, magazines and television. Those in photojournalism made an annual wage of $40,000 in 2007.

Other careers that exist in photography include fine art photography and portrait photography. Most photographers in these industries are self-employed or work on a contract or freelance basis which allows for freedom and flexibility in their careers. Portrait photographers capture the moments of wedding, religious ceremonies, school photographs and many other camera-worthy celebrations. Fine art photographers sell their artwork to various art galleries and art enthusiasts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that independent photographers averaged $38,000 in the 2007 year.

Education in the Art of Photography

There is no right way to obtain an education in photography. Because there are so many vocational opportunities for photographers, there are several different educational paths you can take, depending on what you are passionate about.

For those wanting to break into news photography, a degree in photojournalism or journalism is probably best. However, the National Press Photographer Association suggests that a degree related to government, politics, international relations, sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, English, foreign languages or any number of other subjects will prepare you to work out in the world.

This is true for several other careers in photography as well. The most important education you can gain is that directly related to your field. Of course, no matter which career path you choose, combining a number of photography courses with your bachelor's or master's degree is essential for a career in photography.

For scientific photographers, this could include forensics, engineering, medicine, chemistry or biology. For commercial or industrial photographers, the best education would relate to architecture, landscaping or engineering. For freelance photographers a degree related to the Visual Arts or Fine Arts is a great educational move.

Online photography courses will teach you the skills needed to make a career out of your passion in photography. These include various techniques, art appreciation theory and technical proficiency. Furthermore, an online photography school will also help you perfect your writing and research skills, further enhance your knowledge on marketing, copyright, business law and contracts, and prepare you for the changing technical development photographers are constantly faced with.

The Future of Photography

Photographers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, can expect a 10 per cent increase in the various fields relating to photography. To further their career opportunities, many aspiring photographers look into internships, volunteer work and online photography classes to enhance their knowledge of the always-changing technical advances in photography.

As explained by the National Press Photographer Association, a career in photography is an exhilarating and fulfilling experience. However, a desire to be out in the world, a keen sense of storytelling, technical proficiency, a commitment to ethical standards and a level of persistence are all essential for any aspiring photographer. When it comes to a career in photography, the camera lens is your tool, the world is your office and the sky is the limit.

Article Resources

Bureau of Labour Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274021.htm

California Employment Development Department
http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/Photogra.htm

National Press Photographers Association
http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/students/entering_the_job_market/index.html

What are the leading schools offering programs in Photography ?