Photography

A photography professional takes photographs of people, landscapes, activities, and more in order to preserve memories, record an event, or tell a story. When taking photos, a photography expert must select the proper camera for the occasion and set it to the proper settings in order to achieve the best results. The photography expert must also consider other factors, including the use of light and selecting the proper angle, to achieve the desired effect.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income of photography experts was $26,170 in 2006. The Bureau further reports that photography experts who are employed full time and receive a salary tend to earn more per year than those who are self-employed. This is largely because self-employed photography experts must purchase their own equipment and must incur the expenses associated with maintaining that equipment.

In order to obtain a photography position, you generally need to earn a college degree in photography while also demonstrating your abilities with a portfolio. Many photographers start off as an assistant to someone who has experience working in the photography field.

A good candidate for a career in photography is someone who is creative and imaginative and has a "good eye" for photos. Those who have good hand-eye coordination and an aptitude using cameras to capture special moments are particularly well suited to this career.