Art Careers / Photographer
What Does a Photographer Do? An Art Career for Kids
Curious about this job? Here is what the work looks like, a typical day, the tools, where people do it and how to get started, plus a small activity so you can try it yourself.
What a photographer does
A photographer uses a camera, light and good timing to make pictures of people, places, events and products. Some sell photos as art, and others work for news, businesses or families.
Real-world examples: Ansel Adams, known for his black and white nature photographs; Dorothea Lange.
A day on the job
- Plan photo shoots and set up lighting
- Take many photos and choose the best ones
- Edit photos on the computer
- Book clients, send invoices and update their portfolio
Tools of the job
- Digital camera
- Lenses
- Lights and reflectors
- Photo editing software
- Computer
- Drones (with special certification for commercial use)
Where they work
- Photo studios
- Outdoors and on location
- News organizations
- Their own business (many are self-employed)
The path in 4 steps
Start now
- Take photos with a tablet or phone (with permission) and try different angles
- Do a color hunt: photograph 10 red things
- Look closely at photos in books and magazines
In your teens
- Take a photography class
- Shoot for the yearbook or school paper
- Learn basic photo editing
Training
A high school diploma is the typical entry requirement. Many photographers take classes or earn a certificate or degree in photography, and many start as assistants to experienced photographers.
Build a portfolio
Their best 15 to 25 photos in one or two specialties, like portraits, nature or products.
Skills that help
- Composition
- Understanding light
- Patience
- Editing
- Working with people
Try this job
A small taste of the real work, using things you already have.
Choose one ordinary object, like a shoe or a spoon. Take 10 photos of it, each one different: from above, from the floor, very close, in shadow, by a window, with a fun background. Pick your best two and explain why they work. Photographers make dozens of shots to find the one that sings.
Related art careers
Learn more
For pay, job outlook and training details, read the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook page for this kind of work.
Which art career fits you?
Answer a few quick questions and see which art jobs match what you love to do.
Take the Which Art Career Fits You quizQuestions teachers and parents ask
What does a photographer do?
A photographer uses a camera, light and good timing to make pictures of people, places, events and products. Some sell photos as art, and others work for news, businesses or families.
How do you become a photographer?
A high school diploma is the typical entry requirement. Many photographers take classes or earn a certificate or degree in photography, and many start as assistants to experienced photographers.
What skills does a photographer need?
Composition, Understanding light, Patience, Editing and Working with people.
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