Photographer
Work Activities
Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
Select and set up camera equipment to frame the subject.
Arrange subject material in the desired position.
Compose background and lighting to create the desired effect.
Focus camera and adjust settings for light, subject, distance, and film speed.
Shoot photos with traditional or digital cameras.
Develop film and print photos.
Use scanners to digitize photos for computer use.
Enhance and change digital images with special computer software.
Review photos to select the best work.
Test equipment before use to make sure it is working properly.
May use special equipment such as electron microscopes to photograph microscopic items.
Research and develop new photographic techniques and materials.
Direct the activities of workers helping with photo sessions.
May purchase supplies, keep records, and bill clients, if self-employed.
Think creatively
Use computers
Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
Establish and maintain relationships
Get information needed to do the job
Update and use job-related knowledge
Make decisions and solve problems
Communicate with people outside the organization
Perform for or work with the public
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Perform activities that use the whole body
Develop goals and strategies
Schedule work and activities
Handle and move objects
Perform administrative tasks
Monitor and control resources
Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
Coordinate the work and activities of others
Document and record information
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Identify objects, actions, and events
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Working Conditions
Interpersonal Relationships
Have a very high level of social contact. Many photographers work directly with clients or subjects.
Communicate on a daily basis by telephone and e-mail. They also speak with others through face-to-face discussions, but less frequently.
Are responsible for the work done by assistants.
Often work with a team of assistants.
Physical Work Conditions
May work indoors or outdoors, but are more likely to work indoors.
May work physically near their subjects.
Work Performance
Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact. Errors could result in dissatisfied clients.
Make some of their decisions independently. They often confer with clients.
Set some of their daily tasks and goals independently, but usually cooperate with client schedules and goals.
Must meet weekly deadlines.
Hours/Travel
May work part time or full time.
May work long, irregular hours, or on short notice. This is more often true for news photographers.
May travel to take photos at a client's location.
May travel overnight on assignments. May travel to distant places for long periods of time. This is more often true of news and commercial photographers.
Physical Demands
Photographers frequently:
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Stand for long periods of time.
It is important for photographers to be able to:
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Understand the speech of another person.
It is not as important, but still necessary, for photographers to be able to:
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Determine the distance between objects.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Skills and Abilities
Communicate
Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Understand written information.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Reason and Problem Solve
Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
Think of new ideas about a topic.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Manage Oneself, People, Time, and Things
Manage the time of self and others.
Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Work with People
Be aware of others’ reactions and understand the possible causes.
Look for ways to help people.
Change behavior in relation to others’ actions.
Teach others how to do something.
Perceive and Visualize
Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
Knowledge
Photographers need knowledge in the following areas:
Customer and Personal Service: Providing special services to customers based on their needs.
Sales and Marketing: The methods for selling products and services.
Computers and Electronics: Computer hardware and software.
Fine Arts: The methods and concepts needed to create visual, music, or dramatic arts.
English Language: The meaning and use of the English language.
Communications and Media: How to produce written, spoken or visual media.
Psychology: People, their actions, and mental processes and how to treat problems.
Administration and Management: How to run a business or group.
Interests and Values
Photographers typically have the following interests:
Have artistic interests. They like work activities that deal with artistic forms, designs, and patterns. They prefer work which allows for self expression.
Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
Values
Photographers typically have the following work values:
Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.