Jackson_career



For this project, I'll be researching the job of photographer because photography is what I plan to go to school for and pursue as a career. A photographer is someone who creates permanent visual images for an exceptionally wide range of creative, technical and documentary purposes. A photographer's image content can include weddings, family portraits, baby photographs, senior photographs, fashion, food, architecture, corporate photography, war zones, and landscapes. Most photographers specialize in one area though, such as fine art, fashion, advertising, editorial or social photography. The skills required to be a photographer are equipment skills, so knowing how to use the camera to take the photo, understanding how to choose the right angle for the photograph, and understanding the lighting needed for the picture. Editing skills are also required, such as knowing how to use Photoshop, Lightroom, Creative Suite, and any other editing program the photographer chooses to use. Marketing skills are also another skill that is useful for photographers, because they need to know how to build their clientele, market their work, and promote their work through social websites/business and community functions/blogs. They also need to know how to caption the photo correctly, so good written and verbal communication skills are useful. And lastly, people skills are extremely important for a photographer to have. Because, they need to know how to photograph people and be able to relate to a client and offer pose instruction. If they are shooting a wedding, then the photographer will be working with large crowds and have to coordinate posing an entire wedding party. Also patience is key when working with children. Photographers also need to be good listeners and understand what the customer is wanting in the final product. The schooling requirements to be a photographer are very minimal. Most employers require at least a high school diploma for photography jobs. In certain industries, a bachelor's degree is required. Some educational programs offer an associate's or bachelor's degree in photography. Many vocational schools, community colleges, and art schools offer photography truanting. You can also find training at a university/college, I'll be attending UW-Milwaukee to major in art with a focus in photography. Photography isn't necessarily a job that you do for the money, because from a financial stand point, photographers do not make much money. On average, a photographer can make $55,000 a year. That is the average salary for a typical photographer in the United States. Certain wedding photographers in the United States thought, have made up to $100,000 a year. Photographers who work in the high end fashion/magazine industry can make up to $122,000 a year. The way to get started as a photographer is to build your portfolio and build a strong resume, then apply to many different companies. You could always start off as an intern in the fashion industry for photography, if that is the route you were wanting to pursue. A typical day in this field will consist of going to work and finishing editing any projects you have left to do. Or having a meeting with your upcoming client about what they are wanting at your shoot with them, so figuring out the theme, the color scheme, outdoor or studio work, how many people you will be shooting, the time and place, ect. Or you could be on the set of a shoot whether it be indoors or outdoors. It could be for a wedding, a magazine, a family photoshoot, ect. And that could take up your whole day, especially if it is a wedding. For my self-promotional piece, I plan to make a postcard with my pictures on it, and have the address and contact information on the back. So it will be a business card, but in a postcard form. I also may want to make a packaging item, for how I will present my clients with their final pieces. This idea illustrates this career, because I can show off my artwork and also give my clients and number and address to reach me at. And the postcard idea is different from typical business cards. Also the packaging idea, even the package design is a different career it is still important in a photographers career. When I am giving my clients their final products, I don't want to just hand them their pictures in a cardboard box. That is dull, boring, and typical. My company will not be any of those. I want an elegant package to give my clients. I want them to walk out with their pictures and have people ask them, "what company is that?" Because now your client is advertising your company, just by carrying around their pictures. The box/bag needs to catch everyones attention.

http://work.chron.com/education-required-photographer-13212.html

http://work.chron.com/skills-required-photographer-10256.html

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=High+End+Fashion+Photographer&l1=

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/photographer_job_description.htm