Photographer Salary

The profession of photography is a much-loved art form, which most people pursue with creativity and intensity. A good photographer is able to see things differently than most observers. It is not necessary to use expensive equipment to capture spectacular moments; it just requires a skillful eye and lots of practice. Careers exist for the amateur and experienced photographer, and it is wise for people who want to make money in the profession to take as many classes and workshops as possible to improve their skills.

There are many types of photography jobs; some require more experience and are more lucrative than others. Let's take a look at three careers in photography and learn about the photographer salary:

• When most people think of jobs in fashion photography, they picture images of the fashion industry. Photos of models, clothes, and accessories are used to showcase the latest designers, clothing, and trends. Many times, these pictures appear in magazines, on billboards, in posters, and in portfolios. Fashion photography is one of the most sought-after professions, promising high paychecks, glamor, and international lifestyles. While few people actually become successful in the profession, there are many other opportunities in fashion advertising or celebrity portraiture. To succeed in the industry, a fashion photographer needs superb artistic detail, a good eye for fashion, knowledge of photo editing, and the ability to work well with models, art directors, and agents.

  To begin in the industry, a person needs to set up a portfolio. A portfolio of work may be showcased on the web; however, it is suggested that new photographers have their images maintained in a book, with a theme linked to the type of jobs they would like. Send work to magazine picture editors or photo agencies to market your work. If you are lucky to get the attention of a top magazine, an unknown photographer salary can be about $350 a day up to $130,000 for a full fashion spread. On average, though, most annual incomes are between $50,000 and $100,000.

• Event photography is another area with which many people are familiar. Event photography deals with important events in people lives, such as weddings, birthdays, and christenings. The more successful event photographers have varied styles in capturing their subjects, using still photography or black-and-white images or using a variety of techniques that involve lighting, angles, and tones. Still photography involves the capturing of individuals together in an effort to form a composition. A collage of sorts, still photography is an art form that the most skillful eye and photographer is capable of creating. Some photos are captured in a studio, while others are less posed and taken in a natural environment. This type of candid photography does not include staged situations and captures the most fun, spontaneous moments of an event. Once again, not every photographer has this capability; it requires time, patience, and persistence to get the best images. The best people in the industry are familiar with all types of imaging, such as digital media and night photography.

  Some photographers offer packages, depending on the size of the event, while others charge by the hour. A photographer salary for an event package can be between $2,500 and $10,000 depending on the expectations and agreement with the client. Photographers, who charge by the hour, usually charge between $50 and $500.

• Nature photography is what most people see in magazines like National Geographic, which showcase the work of creative geniuses in landscape, underwater, and wildlife. It is no wonder that these photographers have a love for the pictures they take, whether it is of the wilderness, animals, or the deep sea. In recent years, opportunities in seascape photography, pictures capturing the moods of the sea, and cloudscape photography, images of cloud formations, have emerged. The average nature photographer salary range is about $34,000 to $45,000 per year, with many people earning more money depending on the publications their pictures appear in.