| Photographers may specialize in one field of | | | | Which field should you pursue? Ask yourself, why do |
| photography or they may generalize in a combination | | | | I want to be a professional photographer, for the |
| of two or more types of photography. Prior to | | | | love or the money? Most of us do it for the love of |
| selecting the photography school you are going to | | | | photography. If you do it for the love of |
| attend. Narrow down the specific fields of | | | | photography, consider combining your passion for |
| photography you are most interested in. The | | | | photography with other interests like chemistry, |
| differences between photographer specialties are in | | | | medicine, news, special events etc. Important things |
| the subject matter, work conditions and in the type | | | | to consider when choosing a specialized area of |
| of equipment used and required for design and | | | | photography: |
| composition of the photograph. | | | | - Working Conditions- If you want to work indoors in |
| Photographer fields of study for you to consider: | | | | an air conditioned office or outdoors in the elements |
| Wedding and Portrait Photographers pose their | | | | and on the move. |
| subjects and carefully set up lighting and use flash | | | | - Salary Range- The compensation you can expect |
| units to enhance the images. | | | | from each field of photography varies greatly. |
| - Fine arts photographers sell their images as fine | | | | Research pay ranges before you select your field of |
| artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, fine arts | | | | study. |
| photographers need artistic talent and creativity. | | | | - Educational Requirements- In some fields of |
| - Commercial Photographers shoot scenic | | | | photography like portrait and fine art, talent and |
| photography for advertising, stock image and print | | | | experience are enough for motivated individuals. |
| sales. They also photograph products like food and | | | | However additional education in areas such as |
| merchandise or buildings and architecture. | | | | engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry are |
| - News Photographers typically work on location at | | | | required for other fields. |
| news-worthy events. They take pictures that | | | | - Advancement Opportunities- Opportunities for |
| enhance stories used by the news media. | | | | advancement at a small photography studio are |
| - Industrial Photographers shoot photos of machinery, | | | | limited. Photographers in other industries such as |
| employees working, equipment, products, and | | | | media, medical and scientific photography can find |
| company officials. The images are typically done on | | | | room for moving up. |
| location and used for the analysis of engineering | | | | Careers in traditional photography like the media |
| projects, publicity, or company records. | | | | positions are highly competitive, since salaried jobs |
| - Medical Photographers specialize in more technical | | | | are extremely desirable. Some of the less crowded |
| forms of photography, such as Ophthalmic, Surgical | | | | fields in the photography profession are the aerial, |
| or Pathological photography. | | | | industrial and scientific fields of photography. In |
| - Freelance Photographers line up their own work and | | | | addition to photography skills, these jobs require |
| projects. Then they sell their photography directly to | | | | college degrees and specialized technical training. |
| clients. They must be highly motivated to become | | | | When you carefully consider all of the factors, I'm |
| successful. | | | | confident you will choose the right career path. |