Photographer?

Question

Aorund how much does a Photographer make? What schooling does one need to become a photographer?

Answer 1

Too many variables for 1 answer. Decide what your specialty will be, and go from there.

Answer 2

A lot has to do with if and how good you do weddings. That is an independents bread and butter. You might get on as an assistant to learn the business-then branch out on your own.

Most Professionals love to teach as well.

You charge by the hour so let's say that you limit your work to 30 hours a week and you want $100.00 hr... That is $3,000 a week
or around $150,000 .00 a year.

Get a positive reputation and you can move up to $500-$1000 a day. This puts you into a 6 figure income, without the hassels of being a Dr. or a lawyer.

Cheaper education... trade scool or self taught.

Major investment to do it right. Major! you will need at least 2 good camera, possibly a 3rd.A minimum of a 3 light kit that is portable. Backdrops and a location to set all this stuff up.

Then the business software such a Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign... the workflow from concept to reality. The graphics computer.

There is an advantage to being a pro... but if you are going to be a photographer keep your camera (s) around your neck wherever you go. Be "that photographer guy".

Sign your work even as a novice... lay claim to your creativity right away.

beaux

Answer 3

I applied for a position as a production photographer, $12.00 per hour and was up against 40 applicants, I don't want to say the name of the company, but basically it was a small company in Maine that sells antiques. However, that job was the exception to the rule, atleast in our area. If you are lucky enough to land a job as an assistant, you might make $10.00 per hour. I have decided to supplement my income as a freelance photographer. I don't have any schooling in photography but I honestly don't believe that was the reason I didn't get the job. That's not to discourage someone from going to college but at this point in my life I need to save money and not spend it, so that I can buy better equipment, which I believe has alot to do with it. I mean, there are alot of talented people living on the coast of Maine and then there are those getting by on their good looks and charm that have all the latest technology. I certainly don't believe that I am better than anyone else but I am at a disadvantage with a low-grade digital camera. So I would say save every penny that you can...That is my advice to you. Good luck.

Answer 4

As a photographer myself who knows a lot of other photographers, some famous, most of them not, photography is not a good way to become rich. If photography were a money making endeavor there would be far fewer lawyers and doctors in this world. This is a career path based upon passion, not money. In terms of money. Well there are just so many fields of photography from fine art photography to commercial photography. In terms of schooling, again it depends on the field you are involved in. In many fields of commercial photography a degree isn't so much as critical as the quality of your portfolio,your reliability and most important your reputation. As for other fields like fine art photography and photo journalism, a degree is much more critical. Especially for modern fine art photography in the age of post modernism, having a higher level degree such as an MFA or higher is almost mandatory to even be looked at by a museum or a reputable gallery. Again these fields will not make you rich, though if you are smart, you will not live a miserable life either. For my friends who are in fine art photography, many of them teach at major art colleges, or universities, but these jobs are few and far between, and the quality of work that these people produce aren't something which is acquired as easily as reading a how to book on photography. The richest photographer that I know of personally clears around $400,000 a year, and is a product photographer hired by various electronic companies. He is sort of an anomalie, as most photographers that I know of are just struggling to keep the lights on in the house and keep the bill collectors from repossesing their car.

Answer 5

Depends on what company you work for. Pca starts you out a $9.00 hr in some places but its not the greatest company to work for. Picture people in the mall starts you out at minimum wage and you cant get a raise for 2 years but the bonus are suppose to be really good. Jcpennys again minimum wage and Sears the same They all offer you the bonus package. But I know photographers who bounce form one company to another but they all tell you the same thing once you leave and work for the competitor you cant come back. Freelance work is risky but always seems to to pay more

Answer 6

How much you make depends on if you are going to work for a company or if you are going to do freelance work. I know my son is going to college and he is getting a degree in Photojournalism. Your first step should be to check out the local colleges in your area.

Answer 7

As in any profession, if you are good, you make money

Answer 8

Go here, it will explain a lot
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos264.htm