Photographers

27-4021.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
• Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
• Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
• Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
• Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
• Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
• Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
• Enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
• Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
• Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.
• Perform general office duties, such as scheduling appointments, keeping books, and ordering supplies.
• Review sets of photographs to select the best work.
• Set up, mount, or install photographic equipment and cameras.
• Determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs by studying assignments and consulting with clients or advertising staff.
• Perform maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment working properly.
• Select and assemble equipment and required background properties, according to subjects, materials, and conditions.
• Direct activities of workers setting up photographic equipment.
• Engage in research to develop new photographic procedures and materials.
• Mount, frame, laminate, or lacquer finished photographs.
• Send film to photofinishing laboratories for processing.
• Develop visual aids and charts for use in lectures or to present evidence in court.
• Load and unload film.
• Photograph legal evidence at crime scenes, in hospitals, or in forensic laboratories.
• Write photograph captions.
• Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose of displaying and selling work.
• Produce computer-readable, digital images from film, using flatbed scanners and photofinishing laboratories.
• Employ a variety of specialized photographic materials and techniques, including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro photography, photogrammetry and sensitometry.
• License the use of photographs through stock photo agencies.
• Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touch-up tools, and developing and printing equipment.

Technology Skills

• Accounting software - Blinkbid; Intuit QuickBooks 🔥
• Calendar and scheduling software - Genbook
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Google Drive
• Data base user interface and query software - Cradoc fotoBiz; HindSight InView; Light Blue Software Light Blue; Microsoft Access 🔥; ShootQ photography studio management software; ShootZilla; Simplifi pixifi; Simply Studio System; StudioCloud; StudioPlus Spectra; SuccessWare service management software; Tave Studio Manager
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe InDesign 🔥
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Email software
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software 🔥; Adobe Illustrator 🔥; Adobe Photoshop ; Adobe Photoshop Lightroom; SmugMug Flickr
• Instant messaging software - Twitter
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Operating system software - Apple macOS 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Video creation and editing software - Adobe After Effects 🔥; Apple Final Cut Pro; WeVideo; YouTube
• Web page creation and editing software - Facebook 🔥; WordPress 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical 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.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• 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.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
• Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
• Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
• Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
• Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
• Apply finishes to artwork, crafts, or displays.
• Maintain records, documents, or other files.
• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Review art or design materials.
• Confer with clients to determine needs.
• Maintain recording or broadcasting equipment.
• Select materials or props.
• Coordinate activities of production personnel.
• Research new technologies.
• Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.
• Write informational material.
• Arrange artwork, products, or props.
• Obtain copyrights or other legal permissions.