A photographer’s job description is to take photographs of people, places, and things, but photographers can specialize in different types of photography, such as event photographers, wedding photographers, travel photographers, and so on. Within those divisions, photography necessitates a variety of skill sets, processes, and job details, making it a versatile job with numerous opportunities for growth and creativity. Regardless of the photo’s subject, photographers must capture the image clearly, often in a fast-paced or high-stress environment, which can make getting the best shot difficult.
Wedding photographers are hired to photograph not only the wedding ceremony and reception, but also the events leading up to it. Because the bride is typically the focal point of a wedding, most wedding photographers make it a point to follow her as closely as possible throughout the day; he must also take pictures of guests, decorations, and other memorable aspects of the day. Wedding photography is a fast-paced, high-stress form of photography with few opportunities for retakes; if a photographer misses a shot, he does not get a second chance to recreate the scene and try again.
Some photographers travel the world, capturing landscapes and location shots. Photographers like these frequently sell their work to magazines and websites, and a photojournalist might use the images to accompany a story, editorial, or other type of article. Travel photography necessitates a significant amount of travel, and work is difficult to come by unless the photographer is well-versed in the field and has a solid reputation. Such photography may require the photographer to travel to hostile environments in order to document wars, political strife, or social decay; it may also require the photographer to travel to exotic, beautiful, or remote locations.
Another popular job for photographers is portrait photography. Typically, such shooting takes place in a studio or other carefully chosen locations. It necessitates the use of a substantial amount of expensive equipment, such as backdrops, light stands, and lights, as well as make-up artists and other assistants. Photographers in this field may specialize in senior portraits, family portraits, or baby portraits. Glamour photography is a type of portrait photography that focuses on fashion and modeling; such images are typically sold to magazines or fashion companies who are putting together an ad campaign. The most difficult type of portrait photography is glamour photography.