Photography is a very flexible career. You can work in different places and settings based on your specialty. Some photographers focus on taking pictures of people, while others specialize in landscapes, wildlife, or other subjects.
Choosing the right niche is important because it matches your interests, strengths, and long-term goals. By learning about the different options and what they involve, you can pick a career with a photography degree that fits your passion and increases your chances for success and satisfaction in the field.
As a photographer, you can take pictures of any subjects and settings. However, you can also choose to focus on one specific area of photography. You have the freedom to choose.
If you love animals, you might focus on wildlife photography. If you prefer staying indoors, you can work on studio photography with models while practicing lighting and composition. You can also explore jobs similar to photography, like being a videographer, graphic designer, or visual artist.
1. Photojournalist
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $51,899/year
A photojournalist tells stories through pictures to report news and events. Their photos appear in newspapers, magazines, websites, and TV news to share stories with the public. They might cover sports games, political rallies, court cases, or local and national events. They often work in a busy environment and need to make quick decisions about how to take their photos.
2. Portrait Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $35,777/year
A portrait photographer focuses on taking photos that show the true character and personality of individuals or groups. Their pictures are often used for personal memories, professional profiles, and art projects.
3. Wedding Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $53,308/year
A wedding photographer takes photos of the special moments and emotions during a couple's wedding day. They take both candid and posed pictures to capture the whole event. This freelance career with a photography degree can be quite profitable, especially in the summer when many weddings take place.
4. Photo Editor / Retoucher
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $45,978/year
If you love photography but prefer not to be out taking pictures all day, photo editing might be a good fit for you. Photo editors use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to fix contrast, colors, and composition, remove marks, and add effects. It’s a great job for freelancers with a photography degree because you can work from home using your computer.
5. Commercial Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $37,027/year
A commercial photographer focuses on taking pictures for businesses to help promote their products, services, or brands. They create photos for ads, catalogs, websites, and other marketing materials, covering things like products, food, fashion, and corporate events. This career with a photography degree requires a good knowledge of lighting, composition, and branding.
6. Fashion Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $55,485/year
A fashion photographer takes pictures of clothing, accessories, and models to show off fashion in magazines, ads, and online. They create high-quality images that emphasize the details and design of clothes, often in creative settings. Fashion photographers work closely with designers, stylists, and models.
7. Fine Art Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $68,557/year
A fine art photographer takes pictures that are meant to be seen as art, not for commercial use. They capture images that express their vision, emotions, and ideas, often concentrating on unique views, compositions, and subjects. Fine art photographers work on projects that include abstract images, landscapes, portraits, or creative concepts, and they often display their work in galleries or exhibitions.
8. Events Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $36,327/year
An events photographer takes pictures at parties, business functions, concerts, and gatherings. They try to capture the vibe, important moments, and interactions between people, creating images that show the true energy of the event.
9. Product Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $38,000/year
A product photographer takes clear photos of products for ads, catalogs, and online stores. They focus on showing the features, textures, and colors of items. Product photography is often done in a studio with special lighting to make the products look their best.
10. Architectural Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $50,153/year
An architectural photographer takes photos of buildings and structures, showing their design and function. They photograph both the inside and outside of buildings, paying attention to lighting, angles, and composition to highlight the architectural details and overall look.
11. Travel Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $62,430/year
A travel photographer creates pictures of places, cultures, and experiences worldwide, highlighting landscapes, landmarks, and local life. To become a travel photographer, you need to be good at adapting to different lighting and settings. Many travel photographers also earn money by sharing photos of interesting places on their blogs.
12. Pet Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $36,280/year
A pet photographer takes pictures of animals, highlighting their personalities and how they interact. This career with a photography degree includes taking portraits of pets, either in natural settings or in a studio, and sometimes they also capture pets playing or with their owners.
13. Aerial Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $86,823/year
An aerial photographer takes pictures from high up, usually using drones or aircraft. They capture images of landscapes, cities, and events from above, presenting unique views that show patterns, structures, and geographic elements. In real estate, this type of photography is particularly useful, because it can help show properties from above.
14. Sports Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $54,431/year
A sports photographer focuses on capturing exciting moments during athletic events. They take action shots and key plays to show the intensity of the competition. Working in fast-moving situations, they shoot both individual athletes and teams. To be good at this career with a photography degree, you need quick reflexes, good technical skills, and the ability to predict movements to get the best shots.
15. Celebrity Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $52,101 /year
Celebrity photographers are usually hired to take pictures for magazines or other media at request. Their jobs often include taking both formal and casual photos indoors and outdoors. They take portraits, candid photography, and event photos of celebrities, often in well-known locations.
16. Documentary Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $50,093/year
Documentary photographers take pictures to record important events or places, showing their significance in everyday life or history. Like photojournalists, they capture real moments to share messages about the world. A documentary photographer needs to be able to tell a story through just a few photos.
17. Stock Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $62,338/year
A stock photographer takes photos that people can buy and use through stock photography sites. They create different high-quality images of various subjects, like landscapes, people, and everyday things, which can be used in ads, media, and design. Stock photographers usually work as freelancers.
18. Food Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $59,821/year
This career with photography includes taking engaging pictures of food and drinks for cookbooks, menus, ads, and social media. A food photographer highlights the textures, colors, and presentation of dishes to make them look tempting. Restaurants, food magazines, and cookbook publishers usually hire them.
19. Abstract photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $68,557/year
An abstract photographer takes pictures that emphasize shapes, colors, and patterns instead of showing things realistically. They use close-ups, unusual angles, and creative lighting to create interesting images that evoke feelings and interpretations.
20. School photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $46,103/year
A school photographer takes pictures of students, teachers, and school events. They take individual portraits, class photos, and candid shots of activities like sports and performances. School photographers need to handle large groups and know how to communicate with children for the best results.
21. Landscape Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $70,883/year
A landscape photographer takes pictures of natural scenes like mountains, forests, and oceans. They aim to show the beauty of nature and often shoot at different times of day to capture different lights and weather. Landscape photographers might work on their own, sell their prints, or work with travel and outdoor brands.
22. Newborn Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $49,920/year
A newborn photographer takes pictures of babies, usually in their first two weeks of life. They create soft, artistic portraits, often placing the babies in creative poses and settings. Newborn photographers can work on their own or in a studio.
23. Family Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $50,585/year
This career with a photography degree includes taking special photos that show the relationships and connections within a family. Family photographers usually do photo sessions for holidays, special events, or to capture family milestones. Their work is often shown in photo albums, framed prints, and online galleries.
24. Real Estate Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $62,338/year
A real estate photographer’s job is to show off a property’s features and design to attract buyers or renters. They need to be good at using wide-angle lenses, lighting, and editing to make property photos look their best. They work with real estate agents, property managers, and architects.
25. Wildlife Photographer
A wildlife photographer takes pictures of animals in their natural environments, focusing on how they behave and interact with their surroundings. Wildlife photography can be thrilling because it often involves traveling to different places like forests, deserts, and jungles.
27. Boudoir Photographer
Boudoir photographers take photos of people, usually women, in poses that are often sensual. This style mixes fashion and intimacy, and the photos usually create a romantic feeling.
28. Scientific Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $73,296/year
A scientific photographer takes pictures to show and study scientific events, experiments, and observations. They often work in labs, during field research, or at schools to provide visual information that helps with scientific research and communication.
29. Still-Life Photographer
Average salary (2023 US statistics): $56,139/year
A still life photographer takes pictures of non-moving objects arranged to look nice. This photography career includes creating detailed, artistic photos of things like food, flowers, or everyday items.
Build a strong portfolio. Show different styles and subjects to highlight your skills and versatility. Update your portfolio with new and relevant work to keep it fresh and attractive to potential clients. Keep learning. Attend workshops, take online photography courses, and read different publications to stay updated on new techniques and trends in the industry. Regularly review your work and be open to constructive criticism.
Invest in good equipment. Get a reliable camera, lenses, and lighting gear. As your skill grows, you can add more gear. Stay updated with the latest technology to make sure your equipment meets industry standards.
Develop your own style. Focus on a type of photography you love, like portrait, landscape, or product photography. Keep trying new techniques and styles to improve and change your personal aesthetic.
Network and collaborate. Go to photography workshops, exhibitions, and trade shows to meet other professionals and potential clients. Work with other photographers, models, and creatives to get more experience.
Build an online presence. Create a professional website to show your portfolio, offer services, and share your contact information. Share your work on social media for photographers, like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, to reach more people.
Market yourself. Create a clear brand that shows your style and professional values. Optimize your website and online content for search engines to boost your visibility.
Manage your finances. Freelance photographers should use accounting software, such as QuickBooks. This can help invoice clients, get paid, and track income.
Protect your work. Have clear agreements with clients to protect your rights and set expectations. Regularly back up your digital files to prevent loss from technical problems or accidents.
Students interested in a photography degree can choose from a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or Bachelor of Science (BS) program. BS and BFA degrees focus more on professional and technical photography courses. A BA degree includes more general arts and humanities courses. The BA is a flexible degree that can prepare graduates for various careers or further studies.
Many bachelor's degrees in photography teach you to use technical equipment and understand visual images. They also provide professional knowledge about the photography industry. The main courses usually include photography principles, digital photography, and the history of photography. Many programs let you specialize in fine arts photography, professional photography, and film.
Some universities that offer photography degrees include Brigham Young University-Provo, Spelman College, State University of New York at New Paltz, Rhode Island School of Design, and SUNY at Purchase College. When choosing a degree, think about your career goals, interests, and the skills you want to learn.
Videographers film and edit videos for movies, documentaries, ads, and events.
Graphic designers make visual content for print and online media, integrating pictures, text, and other elements to share messages with the public.
Visual artists and illustrators create pictures by hand or on a computer for books, ads, and digital media.
Art directors manage the visual side of projects, making sure everything looks consistent and fits the overall style and message.
Social media content creators make visual posts for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. They often use photography and video skills to create engaging content.
Fashion stylists pick out clothes for photo shoots, ads, and events.
Interior designers create indoor spaces that are both functional and visually pleasing. They know how to use color, lighting, and layout, similar to taking a well-composed photo.
Film and video editors put together video clips to tell a clear story. This career with a photography degree includes working closely with videographers and need a good sense of timing, layout, and visual storytelling.
Animators and motion graphics artists make moving visuals for movies, games, and ads.
Cinematographers work in the film industry, capturing the visual feel of a movie.
Architects design buildings, focusing on how they look, how they work, and how sustainable they are.
Magazine art directors are in charge of the overall visual style and layout of a magazine.
