Details Report for:
27-4021.00 - Photographers
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.
Sample of reported job titles: Advertising Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Newspaper Photographer, Owner/Photographer, Photo Editor, Photographer, Photojournalist, Portrait Photographer, Sports Photographer
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Category | Task |
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95 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
94 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
93 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
91 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
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Core | |
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Core | |
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Core | |
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Core | |
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Core | |
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Core | |
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Core | |
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Core | |
75 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
74 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
74 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
72 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
53 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
92 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
69 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
63 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
54 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
54 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
52 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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34 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
29 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental |
Technology Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Accounting software — Blinkbid; Intuit QuickBooks
- Calendar and scheduling software — Genbook
- Data base user interface and query software — Cradoc fotoBiz; HindSight InView; Microsoft Access
; Tave Studio Manager (see all 12 examples)
- Desktop publishing software — Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Development environment software — Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
- Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Electronic mail software — Email software
- Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
; Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
; SmugMug Flickr
(see all 5 examples)
- Instant messaging software — Twitter
- Internet browser software — Web browser software
- Office suite software — Google Drive
- Operating system software — Apple macOS
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Video creation and editing software — Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
; Apple Final Cut Pro; WeVideo; YouTube
(see all 5 examples)
- Web page creation and editing software — Facebook
; WordPress
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Atmospheric effect apparatus — Fog machines
- Bubble machine — Bubble machines
- Camera controllers — Wireless flash triggers
- Camera enclosures or covers — Sound blimps
- Camera flashes or lighting — Camera flash attachments; Focus assists; Softboxes; Studio strobe flashes (see all 5 examples)
- Camera lens — Macro lenses; Telephoto lenses; Zoom lenses
- Camera lens cleaners — Camera cleaning brushes
- Camera lens filter — Graduated neutral density GND filters; Haze filters; White balancing lens filters; Wide angle lenses (see all 6 examples)
- Camera tripods — Camera positioning tripods
- Compact disc CD or labeling printers — Optical media printers
- Contact printer — Contact print frames; Negative proofers
- Digital cameras — Digital still cameras
- Digital image printers — Digital photo printers
- Digital pen — Digital pens
- Dimmers and accessories — Dimmers
- Dye sublimination printers — Dye sublimation printers
- Electronic viewfinder — Optical viewfinders
- Film driers — Film drying cabinets
- Film washers — Force film washers
- Flash memory storage card — Flash memory data storage devices
- Global positioning system GPS receiver — Global positioning system GPS devices
- Graphics tablets
- Handheld thermometer — Darkroom thermometers
- Inkjet printers — Computer inkjet printers
- Label making machines — Label printers
- Laser printers — Computer laser printers; Large format printers
- Lightmeters — Incident light meters; Reflected light meters
- Loupes — Magnifier loupes
- Multimedia projectors — Special effects projectors
- Notebook computers — Laptop computers
- Personal computers
- Photo print dryer — Electric print dryers
- Photo print washer — Rapid photo print washers
- Photographic enlargers — Image enlargers
- Photographic timer — Darkroom timers
- Photography light reflector — Board reflectors; Lamp reflectors; Snoots
- Scanners — Film scanners; Flatbed scanners
- Still cameras — Film cameras
- Tablet computers
- Wireless network interface cards — Mobile adapters
Knowledge Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Knowledge |
|
---|---|---|
84 ![]() ![]() |
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80 ![]() ![]() |
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71 ![]() ![]() |
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67 ![]() ![]() |
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55 ![]() ![]() |
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37 ![]() ![]() |
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31 ![]() ![]() |
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29 ![]() ![]() |
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25 ![]() ![]() |
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9 ![]() ![]() |
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6 ![]() ![]() |
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3 ![]() ![]() |
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2 ![]() ![]() |
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1 ![]() ![]() |
Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Skill |
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69 ![]() ![]() |
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63 ![]() ![]() |
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53 ![]() ![]() |
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53 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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16 ![]() ![]() |
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16 ![]() ![]() |
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13 ![]() ![]() |
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6 ![]() ![]() |
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6 ![]() ![]() |
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0 ![]() |
Abilities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Activity |
|
---|---|---|
91 ![]() ![]() |
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88 ![]() ![]() |
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80 ![]() ![]() |
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79 ![]() ![]() |
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79 ![]() ![]() |
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71 ![]() ![]() |
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63 ![]() ![]() |
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29 ![]() ![]() |
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26 ![]() ![]() |
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23 ![]() ![]() |
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16 ![]() ![]() |
Detailed Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
- Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
- Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
- Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
- Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
- Confer with clients to determine needs.
- Review art or design materials.
- Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
- Maintain records, documents, or other files.
- Select materials or props.
- Coordinate activities of production personnel.
- Maintain recording or broadcasting equipment.
- Apply finishes to artwork, crafts, or displays.
- Research new technologies.
- Write informational material.
- Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.
- Arrange artwork, products, or props.
- Obtain copyrights or other legal permissions.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Job Zone Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Title | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
Education | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
Related Experience | Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
Job Training | Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
Job Zone Examples | These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants. |
SVP Range | (6.0 to < 7.0) |
Education
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
---|---|---|
83 ![]() ![]() |
||
61 ![]() ![]() |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. ![]() |
|
39 ![]() ![]() |
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22 ![]() ![]() |
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17 ![]() ![]() |
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6 ![]() ![]() |
Work Styles Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Style |
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91 ![]() ![]() |
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88 ![]() ![]() |
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87 ![]() ![]() |
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86 ![]() ![]() |
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81 ![]() ![]() |
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77 ![]() ![]() |
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72 ![]() ![]() |
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65 ![]() ![]() |
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63 ![]() ![]() |
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59 ![]() ![]() |
Related Occupations Save Table (XLS/CSV)
25-3021.00 | Self-Enrichment Teachers ![]() |
27-4031.00 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film ![]() |
27-4032.00 | Film and Video Editors ![]() |
39-7011.00 | Tour Guides and Escorts ![]() |
39-7012.00 | Travel Guides ![]() |
41-2031.00 | Retail Salespersons ![]() |
43-4081.00 | Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks |
51-5111.00 | Prepress Technicians and Workers |
51-9151.00 | Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wages (2019) | $17.44 hourly, $36,280 annual |
State wages | |
Local wages | |
Employment (2019) | 133,500 employees |
Projected growth (2019-2029) | ![]() |
Projected job openings (2019-2029) | 10,900 |
State trends | |
Top industries (2019) | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (21% employed in this sector)
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 wage data
and 2019-2029 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2019-2029). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- American Photographic Artists
- American Society of Media Photographers
- American Society of Photographers
- National Press Photographers Association
- North American Nature Photography Association
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Photographers
- Professional Photographers of America
- Society of Professional Journalists