Professional photographers use either traditional film or digital technology to capture images on camera. They could work for a newspaper or another media outlet, photographing news events, or they could work in a portrait studio, photographing people. Some professional photographers specialize in commercial photography, such as advertising photography, while others specialize in fine art photography. Photographers spend time developing and editing photographs after they have been taken.
A professional photographer working for a news organization, such as a newspaper, may photograph anything from a local car accident to a far-off war. Being a news photographer, or photojournalist, can be dangerous, as the photographer may be dispatched to insecure, dangerous locations or to cover explosive events. Professional photographers in the media and news may not work a traditional 40-hour week. Instead, they may be required to be on call whenever a breaking news event occurs.
People portraits are a specialty of some professional photographers who work on location or in a studio. A portrait photographer may be hired to photograph students for a school yearbook or to photograph a wedding. Many portrait photographers also own a studio and must be able to manage the business side of things, such as advertising, paying taxes, and managing employees.
Commercial photographers work in a wide range of fields. Models may be photographed for fashion catalogs, or food may be photographed for menus. Professional photographers who work in the commercial sector are frequently tasked with photographing print advertisements as well. Photographs of professionals may also be taken for use in a company’s brochure.
Fine-art photography is another specialty that photographers can pursue. Being a fine-art photographer necessitates both creativity and camera proficiency. The majority of fine-art photographers sell their work as individual prints to art collectors. Some of them may be displayed in galleries or museums. Making a living as a fine-art photographer may be more difficult than making a living as a photojournalist, portrait, or commercial photographer.
Professional photographers must know how to use editing software if they use digital film and how to develop traditional photo film in addition to being able to use a camera. As a professional photographer, you’ll need to put together a portfolio to show potential employers or clients. Many photographers have portfolios on their websites, and others may have hard copies of their portfolios.