Photographers create permanent visual images for an exceptionally wide range of creative, technical and documentary purposes. A professional photographer usually works to a brief set by the client or employer. Examples of image content include wedding, family and baby photographs, fashion, food, architecture, corporate photography, war zones and landscapes. Also see press photographer.
Most professional photographers specialise in one area, such as fine art, fashion, advertising, editorial or social photography. Around half of all professional photographers are self-employed. The remainder work for a wide range of employers, including creative businesses, publishers and photographic agencies, or in the education or public sector.

Tasks:

1. Marketing and networking to find new clients
2. Communicating with clients to understand their needs
3. Preparing for photo shoots (e.g. scouting locations, scheduling, renting equipment, etc.)
4. Setting up or taking down lighting, backgrounds, props and other equipment
5. Capturing images
6. Processing images
7. Creating final print images or digital files
8. Archiving images
9. Performing administrative tasks such as billing, etc.

Key skills for photographer:

• Creativity. Since photography is a branch of the wider field of art, you should strive to creatively send an artistic message through your photography. You should have the knowledge needed to properly frame a scene, select a background, and use focusing techniques to make your photos more interesting.
• Technical Prowess. To be an efficient photographer, you need to identify the different parts of the camera and the role that each technical component plays. You should have a basic understanding of different types of lenses and how to find an appropriate source of lighting for your photo shoot, be it natural light, flashbulbs or reflector screens. With the development of digital photography, many photographers are now responsible for using digital photo editing programs to tidy up or alter an image. Because of these trends, you may want to learn a software program like Adobe Photoshop or Corel PaintShop Pro.
• Knowledge of Your Subject. Depending on the type of photography career you'd like to have, you may also need to learn about the specific subjects you're photographing. For example, working as a fashion photographer would require you to know about the designers and models.

Average salary (2013):

The United Kingdom: £18,562 per year
The United States of America: $19,000 per year
Australia: AU$24.13 per hour

Qualifications and training required:

The extent of the education needed for a career in photography depends upon the individual's goals. Good technical abilities, knowledge of equipment and vocational training or an associate's degree might suffice for some positions at the outset of a career. A Bachelor of Arts in Photography provides more options for a career and for advancement; bachelor's degrees typically include art, business, marketing and other courses to round out one's education. A polished portfolio, which is often a requirement for graduation, is another benefit of a bachelor's degree program.