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Photographers

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (27-4021)

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.

At a Glance

Photographers earns a median of $42,520/yr with +1.8% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Customer and Personal Service, Working with Computers, Thinking Creatively.

Median Annual Wage

$42,520/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+1.8%

Annual Openings

13

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (3)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.8
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.8
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.3

Knowledge (11)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.7
Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

4.5
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

4.2
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.9
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.7
Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

3.7
Fine Arts

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

3.6
Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

3.5
Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

3.5
Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

3.4
Economics and Accounting

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

3.3

Abilities (11)

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.9
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.9
Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

3.9
Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

3.9
Visual Color Discrimination

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

3.6
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.6
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.4
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.3
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.3
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.3

Technology (14)

Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Intuit QuickBooks

Category: Accounting software | Hot Technology

4.5
Apple macOS

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe InDesign

Category: Desktop publishing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Illustrator

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Creative Cloud software

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe After Effects

Category: Video creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
WordPress

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | In Demand

4.0

Work Activities (24)

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.7
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.6
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.5
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

4.3
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.2
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.1
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

4.1
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.1
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.1
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

4.1
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.0
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.8
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.6
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.6
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

3.6
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.6
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.5
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

3.4
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

3.4
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.4
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.4
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.3
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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