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What are the negative aspects of this job?

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What are the negative aspects of this job?

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You're not usually in many photos.
You’re picky with the quality of photo. And The Items cost a lot of money.

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Creativity.

Technical photography skills.

Patience and Concentration.

Attention to detail.

Strong networking skills.

Team working skills.

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Even though millions of people carry cameras around on their phones, the world still needs skilled professional photographers. Camera jockeys photograph weddings and fashion shows, take family portraits, create advertising and capture events for the news media. In an age when anyone can take a selfie, you need the right skill set to prove you can do a better job.

A Good Eye

Good photography does not just happen. A successful photographer must size up an event and know what will make a worthwhile photo. They also must frame each scene as effectively as possible: would a close-up of the subject be better or a shot showing them interacting with their surroundings? What shutter speed, what angle and what depth should the shot have? Does it need front, side or back illumination? There's no shortage of books and websites to explain the basics. A good photographer practices until the rules become second nature.

Technical Expertise

Photography has been a tech-heavy career field since its beginnings in the 19th century. Whatever camera you use, you will be a better photographer when you know and master all its options - shutters, lenses, flash, everything.

In the 21st century, photographic tech includes software. Editing and cropping photos have always been a way to turn ho-hum shots into something special. Mastering editing software is the way to make the photo you took into the one your customer wants. Like tutorials on how to take good photos, there is no shortage of free instruction on how to edit them. You will have to pay for a photo-editing program that is good enough for a pro.

If you have to print out photos, you will need to become familiar with how your printer translates digital images. It may take practice before you know whether an image that looks great as pixels will look equally cool in hard copy.

Legal Knowledge

You don't need to be a law-school graduate to take up photography, but photography does bring up a lot of legal issues.

Can you take a photo of someone and run it without their permission? Do you need them to sign a release?

Is it legal to take photos on private property?

Who owns the copyright in your photo?

When you allow a magazine or advertiser to publish your work, what rights are you giving up?

When does taking a photo violate someone's right to privacy?

Knowing the law will protect your rights in your own photos. It also protects you from getting sued by someone you happened to photograph.

About the Author

Fraser Sherman has written about every aspect of working life: the importance of professional ethics, the challenges of business communication, workers' rights and how to cope with bullying bosses. He lives in Durham NC with his awesome wife and two wonderful dogs. You can find him online at frasersherman.com

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What Skills Are Required of a Photographer?

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A photographer has to develop the eye that spots when an image or scene is worth capturing. They also need to master photographic technology, from camera lenses to editing and printing software. It doesn't hurt to know a little about photography law, either.

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What are the positive aspects of this job?

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What are the positive aspects of this job?

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Opportunities to be Creative.

Generalize or Specialize.

Travel Opportunities.

Job Satisfaction.

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Some vastly different jobs have similar important aspects.

Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Of the five most important aspects of a job, paycheck size comes in a surprising second. Address the other four job aspects that employees say matter to them and you will decrease turnover.

Aspect Number Five: Using Skills and Abilities

Opportunities to use skills and abilities held the number one position in 2012, but it has fallen to number five, according to the Society for Human Resource Management's 2017 Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement report. Give your employees a challenge suited to their strengths and help them figure out how to achieve it.

Aspect Number Four: Job Security

Job security held the number two slot in 2012 but has fallen to job aspect number four as of 2017. Part of the reason may lie in the gig economy and the increase in the number of self-employed workers.

Tip

Take a chance: discuss the gig economy versus a regular job with your employees. If they find the flexibility and self-direction of gig work appealing, you can remain competitive by offering job-sharing or flexible hours.

Aspect Number Three: Trust

Transparency prevents workers from leaving your company when rumors of upcoming layoffs or closings fly. Keeping pending changes under wraps only fuels speculation, and quashing a layoff rumor today only increases mistrust later when the layoffs take place.

Tip

Don't sugar-coat or deny bad news. Share news of mergers and layoffs as soon as possible so that employees can plan ahead. They will often reward your trust by sticking with you through the entire process.

Aspect Number Two: Pay and Compensation

Rising in importance from its number-three spot in 2012, this job aspect is the only salient aspect of the job with a bottom-line price tag. Employees understand that hard times for the company may limit potential raises and bonuses. When the company does well, though, so should the rank and file. Pay them more before you give bonuses to management, especially upper management.

Aspect Number One: Respect

Of the five aspects, respect carries the most weight with your employees. It costs nothing to show employees that you value respect as much as they do. Model respectful behavior and make sure middle managers do the same.

Bella Vista Apartments, a senior living community in Mesa, Arizona, uses the motto, "Open the DOOR to Customer Service." The letters stand for "Delight, Offer, Own, and Respond." Every day, each employee strives to delight and inspire one resident at a time. This concept is easy to apply to your employees.
Examples:
Before the shift begins: make sure your employees have any passwords, supplies, equipment or data needed to perform the day's tasks.

Greet employees by name as they arrive.

Avoid yawning when an employee speaks with you.

Do not eat while talking with employees, especially if they are not eating as well.

Put what you are doing aside when employees approach you.

Make eye contact and turn toward employees to further emphasize your respect.

Take employees aside when you have to correct them or discuss something that might embarrass or upset them.

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Of the five most important aspects of a job, paycheck size comes in a surprising second. Address the other four job aspects that employees say matter to them and you will decrease turnover.

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What computer or technological skills do you need for this?

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What computer or technological skills do you need for this?

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Editing software knowledge, Mac/PC Experience, And Printing Awareness.

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Looking to start a photography business? With so many outlets available for photographers these days, there won't be a shortage of platforms where you can sell your images. First however, there's some equipment you need to start a photography business.

Starting a photography business requires a wide set of skills and talent to make it work. If you are a photographer it means acquiring the skills for the operational side of the business and vice versa if you're not a photographer.

Starting a Photography Business

It is important to note this is not a tutorial on how to start a photography business, instead it focuses on the equipment you need to start a photography business. But some of the tools also include the license, insurance, financial software and more required for establishing and running your photography business.

There are plenty of potential photography niches out there for small business owner. But no matter what you plan to actually photograph, there's some essential equipment you need to start a photography business. Here a list to get your started.

Equipment You Need to Start a Photography Business

A Good Camera

The first piece of equipment you need to start a photography business is a good camera. There are plenty of options out there to consider. Some work better in certain situations than others, so you'll want to do a lot of research on what models will work best for your particular niche.

Tripod

A tripod is also an essential piece of equipment, since it can help you keep your camera steady and allow you to take many pictures of each subject without moving the camera around.

Camera Bag

When you're transporting your camera from place to place, you need to make sure it's protected. So invest in a good camera bag that you can use to keep your camera from getting broken or damaged.

Lighting

Lighting is an essential element of any good photograph. And while natural lighting is usually preferred, you'll also likely want to invest in some studio lighting for when there isn't sufficient sunlight.

Lenses

There are plenty of different lenses you can use to get different types of images on your camera. So it can be a good idea to invest in some different lenses to improve the quality of your photos.

Backdrops

Depending on what types of photos you plan on taking, you might find it necessary to purchase or create some backdrops that you can use for studio or portrait photographs.

Props

It can also be a good idea to have a variety of different props on hand. The types of props you choose can depend on your niche. For example, if you're a wedding photographer, you probably won't want the same props that a pet photographer uses. But having a few different options can be a good idea.

Studio Space

You might also find it necessary to rent or purchase some studio space for your photography business, especially if you plan on having clients travel to you for photos.

Reliable Transportation

Alternatively, you might be more interested in starting a photography business where you travel to clients. In that case, you'll need some reliable transportation in order to get to and from your shoots.

Smartphone with a Good Camera

While you aren't likely to use a smartphone or mobile device as your main camera for your photography business, it can still be a good tool. Since social media can be a great tool for sharing photos and behind the scenes shots, it can be useful to have a smartphone that can take decent photos for those purposes.

Editing Software

Once you've taken your photos, you'll also need a software program that lets you edit and fine-tune those images. Programs like Photoshop and Lightroom can be good investments for photographers.

Computer

That also means that you need a computer you can use to actually edit and store those digital photos.

Mobile Photography Apps

In addition, when you take photos on your mobile device, it can be helpful to download some photography apps that you can use to improve your mobile photos.

Social Media Channels

You should also sign up for some social media accounts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram so that you can share your photos and updates with potential customers.

Domain Name

A professional website can also be a helpful tool for a photography business. So purchase a domain name that fits with your business and branding.

Online Portfolio

It can also be beneficial to showcase your photography work on your website or in other locations online. So you'll need to work to build up a portfolio of images over time.

Business Cards

When you go to jobs or interact with clients, business cards can be a great way to showcase your brand and give potential clients an easy way to get in touch.

Accounting Program

You'll also need a way to manage and keep track of your finances. So you can invest in a professional accountant or accounting program.

Payment Platform

And you also need a way to collect payments from clients. So you can set up a payment system online or have a mobile payment platform to offer clients.

External Hard Drive

Digital photos can take up a lot of space on your computer. So it can be a good idea to invest in an external hard drive you can use to store all of those large files when not in use.

Business License

It may also be necessary to register your business with your local or state government. Look into any business licenses that might be required for photography businesses in your area.

Insurance

In addition, you might consider purchasing some business insurance or a policy that protects your equipment in case it gets lost or damaged.

Client Contracts

When you get new clients, you'll likely want to get them to sign a contract so both sides understand what is expected. You can create or find contract templates to use with each new client.

PPA Membership

The Professional Photographers of America is a group that provides resources to professional photographers like contract samples and industry data. You can pay to join in order to take advantage of those resources.

Photo Printer

When printing out proofs or marketing materials, you'll want to make sure that your photos are high quality. So invest in a good photo printer that will make your images really stand out.
Smartphone Photo via Shutterstock

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25 Things You Need to Start a Photography Business

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Looking to start a photography business? With so many outlets available for photographers these days, there won't be a shortage of platforms where you can sell your images. First however, there's some equipment you need to start a photography business. Starting a photography business requires a wide set of skills and talent to make it work.

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A photographer.

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$14,878 - $92,757.

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Find out your worth. Get a free personalized salary report to view salary ranges, and bonus and benefits information for Photographer jobs in the United States or search by specific US and Canadian cities and towns.

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Where is the best place to live to do this job?

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Where is the best place to live to do this job?

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Utah, Oregon, Washington State, And Tennessee.

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You carry a camera everywhere because you just never know when something or someone worthy of having its picture taken will appear. You also work plenty of weddings and events, or you may be a photo journalist for a newspaper. You are a photographer, and are always on the lookout for beauty. But what makes a city good for a working photographer? While it's important that there are plenty things to photograph, these statistics are equally relevant as well.

Here's How We Ranked Them

We started with a list of the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. and ranked them from one to 100 in each of the following categories:

Cost of Living - As a photographer, you may not have a lot of disposable income, so it's good to know which cities are affordable. We sourced Area Vibes for this information.

Annual Salary - To compare with cost of living, we took the average salary of photographers from each of these cities and applied it here because higher paying jobs mean an opportunity for better living. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Photographer Job Openings - In order to secure some of that disposable income, a photographer needs a job. This only included full time jobs, and not freelance work or anything related. Numbers from Indeed.com.

Working Photographers - Your ability to network is increased the more photographers there are. This metric was also used to gauge relative demand for photographers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics website was used here as well.

After establishing a ranking for each of those categories, we assigned a score to each city for those categories as well. Once those were added up, we divided the sum into an average; the lower that average was the better.

1. Jersey City, NJ

The Katyn Memorial, which was erected in 1991 as an homage to the victims of the Katyn Massacre in 1940, overlooks New York City's downtown area, which resides just across the Hudson River. A plaque was added to commemorate the victims of the September 11th attacks as well. Jersey City vaulted itself to number one on our list by ranking second or better in the amount of full time photographer job openings, and the working photographers categories. This shows that even though many jobs are taken, there are still plenty more to be had.

2. Saint Paul, MN

Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi, Saint Paul is the first of the Twin Cities to appear on this list. The mighty River and the park nearby provide excellent views of the skyline, and many photography opportunities. The city ranked in the top 20 in three categories, including fifth in annual salary. Of the cities that made the top ten, they were fourth best in cost of living, making the city affordable as well.

3. Houston, TX

You might think in the oil rich state of Texas wouldn't provide a good environment for a working photographer. But Houston proved to be an exception by being consistent in all categories. While they didn't crack the top 15, they also ranked no worse than 43rd, something no other city was able to do. And the above photo of Hermann Park is an example of the plethora of artistic picture opportunities the city has.

4. New York, NY

In a city that is brightest at night, along with an eclectic mix of neighborhoods each with their own personality and so much happening in America's biggest city, it makes sense that New York would appear on this list. Perhaps no park on the planet provides more opportunities for wedding, sports, event or nature photography than Central Park. Strawberry Fields is no exception. The city ranked in the top five in three categories, and if not for its cost of living rank could very well have been number one on this list.

5. Los Angeles, CA

Despite the stereotypical jokes about smog, Los Angeles turned out to be a very friendly city for photographers. They were sixth or better in three categories, but also befallen by the cost of living category. However, ranking second in annual salary helped to even that out. Kenneth Hahn State Park provides a stunning backdrop of the skyline and the mountains beyond.

6. Minneapolis, MN

Highlighting the natural, or man-made, beauty of each of these cities has been a way for us to show that in order to be a successful photographer, it's not all about the numbers. Minneapolis embodies that philosophy. The second of the Twins to make this list appears because it ranked sixth in annual salary, as well as 13th in the amount of full-time job openings for photographers it has.

7. Cincinnati, OH

With the stadiums for their football and baseball teams residing downtown, and being located along the banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati gives photographers of all trades the opportunity to use their skills. The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which separates Cincy and Covington, is a staple of the city. Beyond that, they ranked ninth in annual salary while having a low cost of living, ranking 26th in that category.

8. San Francisco, CA

From sports to art, nightlife to history and everything in between, San Francisco is a melting pot of opportunity for photographers. From the outside looking in (or the inside looking out, depending on your view) Alcatraz Island combines much of what makes the city great. Despite ranking last in cost of living, they ranked third in annual salary, and fourth in job openings.

9. Washington, DC

The US Capital has more to offer than politics. Washington, DC is also a fantastic city to live and work as a photographer. It ranked seventh in the annual salary category, and if you are looking to move there, it ranked seventh in the job openings category as well. And with the blooming cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, it's easy to see why people line the bank to snap their own photo.

10. Dallas, TX

Rounding out the top ten, Dallas is also the second Texas city to appear on the list. They snuck into the top ten by ranking eighth in working photographers, and 24th in full-time job openings. The Arts District allows the city to be captured in a calming way, outside of the hustle of downtown. Combined with a low cost of living, this city was able to show that they are a good home for photogs.

Looking Beyond the Numbers

Having jobs available is great, as well as the potential to make a good wage, but something that also stood out about each of these cities is their aesthetic prowess. They proved themselves in the numbers, and the reason for that could be that there is so much natural beauty about each city's landscape that draws many photographers in. Whether it be the concrete jungle of NYC or the vast amount of green and water of the Twin Cities, the top ten revealed that in order to be a great city for a photographer, it must also be photogenic.
About the author: Christian Neeser is the director of SEO at MyLife.com. This article was republished with kind permission from MyLife. The original can be found here.

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10 Best Cities for Working Photographers in the US

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You carry a camera everywhere because you just never know when something or someone worthy of having its picture taken will appear. You also work plenty of weddings and events, or you may be a photo journalist for a newspaper. You are a photographer, and are always on the lookout for beauty.

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What are the best colleges that will help you prepare for this job?

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What are the best colleges that will help you prepare for this job?

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Virginia Commonwealth University.

Massachusetts collage of Art and Design.

University of Arizona.

Maryland Institute collage of Art.

Arizona State University.

Columbia collage (IL)

California collage of the Arts.

University of California(Los Angeles)

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You'll find a number of schools that offer undergraduate majors in photography; more intensive photography training is typically available at the graduate level. Three of the top schools that offer photography programs are Providence College, John Brown University, and Central Washington University, all of which are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Students in these schools' programs learn techniques like lighting, composition, equipment use, and image processing. After learning more about these three schools, we'll briefly look at additional schools with good photography programs.

For 2017, Providence College was ranked #1 among regional universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report for 2017. The Providence College Studio Arts program offers a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in photography. Students learn the technical side of photography through hands-on training, and they receive extensive classmate and faculty critiques. They're also given the chance to publicly exhibit their work.

John Brown University (JBU) was ranked #18 among regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report for 2017, and #23 among best value schools in the South. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Photography program take classes in design, darkroom, social documentary, and commercial photography. Students from John Brown have gone on to careers in such fields as fashion, event, and crime scene photography.

Central Washington University was ranked #44 by U.S. News & World Report in its 2017 listing of best regional universities in the West, and #11 in the listing of top public schools. Undergraduates can earn a bachelor's degree in art or studio art with a photography emphasis. Graduate students can pursue a Master in Fine Arts in photography. The school features studio facilities for traditional black and white, digital and studio lighting, and 19th-century processes. Students must own either a 35mm film camera or a digital SLR camera, depending on what is appropriate for their program. Graduate students have 24-hour access to their own art studios.

Here's a list of 7 additional schools that offer programs with a photography major:

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL

Ranked #44 among all national universities, according to U.S. News & World Report in 2017

The top photography schools are often nationally or regionally ranked and have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for photography students. Depending on your interests, you may be able to explore numerous photography specialties, including commercial photography and photojournalism.

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best colleges with a photography major: list of schools

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Best Colleges with a Photography Major: List of Schools

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You'll find a number of schools that offer undergraduate majors in photography; more intensive photography training is typically available at the graduate level. Three of the top schools that offer photography programs are Providence College, John Brown University, and Central Washington University, all of which are highly ranked by U.S.