Professional Photographer Salaries

[Mills]

Lots of talk about going Pro. How much do Pro's make? Many answers to this question. For example, what was Herb Rits or Ansel Adams worth, annual income? What about a Sports Illustrated, AP, New York Times. What about a local paper photographer. Then there are wedding and event photog's. As you can see, this could be a nice long discussion.

[Steveo31]

It's by the job of course. Weddings I have heard can be up to the low thousands, I guess people in Nat'l geo make about the same. Hard to say.

[robertwgross]

There is one guy I know who shoots weddings by himself. He has only one package deal. The bride and groom get three hours of time for $1000 even. This guy tries to book two per week, but he generally ends up getting two per month during wedding season.

Now, somebody will jump up and down and say "Geez, that is $333 per hour! I want to do that."

OK. Well, it is not as easy as that. The photographer has a lot of overhead time and expense. For every hour on the site, it takes 3-4 hours of backroom work or computer work. Camera equipment expenses are high. We all know that. Agreements, advertising, taxes, etc.

Unless you are very, very good, you won't get rich at it.

---Bob Gross---

[Persian-Rice]

A lot of the mags do assignment work. I have contacted National Geo, to ask if I was taking the right path to one day work for them, and maybe for some suggestions. I know they told me in one of their emails that they don't really do assignment work, you are pretty much a photographer for them as a full-time job.

I know some of our local papers in Toronto have full time guys and accept work from freelancers if they can find a better shot then they have or even something they don't have.

You can go and make your own studio, do wedding stuff. There is good money in that, if you make good images and build a good rep. I know a family friend who used to do this while he was studying medicine, he was making 4-5k a wedding.

Freelance work is probably the most common for what I see around. If you can build a good base of reliable contacts and get your name out there, there is money in it.

I'm a little confused with how AP/Getty and those guys work. I am under the impression they work sort of how newspapers do. They have full time photographers stationed in major cities around the world like New York, Tokyo, London etc etc. they also have contacts in other cities that they do assignment work with. Then they also have freelancers that submit work. Grr I really don't get it with them. I'm sure AP does it this way, I think Getty is fairly similar.

I know if you work full time for a company, most of them supply the equipment. This also means you don't need to buy all sorts of professional equipment every year that would burn a massive hole in your pocket.

The biggest potential is in assignment and freelance work from my research so far. If you have a good rep and plenty of contacts, word of mouth alone will pay a lot, not to mention returning clients.

[IndyJeff]

PR, to answer your question about how AP works, it is like this. They have basically 4 levels of photographers.

1. Staffers who are paid a salary and cover a wide range of stuff from press conferences to sporting events and major news stories, i.e. a Presidental visit etc. Their equipment is supplied by AP.

2. Contract photographers who are paid a day rate for covering basically the same thing the staffers would do. As with a staffer you must be very versatile and flexible in your schedule. Contractors supply there own equipment.

3. Freelancers who are paid for the shot they get. They may cover something and submit it to AP. If AP uses it they get paid, if not there is no paycheck for your time you spent on that shoot. Basically they shoot on spec.

4. Stringers are the low end of the food chain at AP. That is what I do for AP. Anyway they send you out to an event, i.e. the Indy 500 and station you somewhere, me I am in turn 3. Now if a crash happens they look at what everyone shot. So you figure for a typical crash they will look at the sequences from 15 photographers who each shoot 8- 14 shots of the crash, depending on where the crash happens. Now they will find the best shot each guy has, narrow that down to about 4 shots from 4 guys and pick the best one. They look for angle, background, flying parts, focus and exposure. The guy who gets the shot receives $150. The rest, well they are free to shop their shots around but, just about every news organization who would be interested has someone in that turn.

Getty from what I understand operates about the same way. I believe they use more freelancers tho and have less staffers than AP.

Shooting on spec is a no win situation really. If it is something they use then you get paid but if not, you have wasted your time. You may have a great shot but they may also have a guy there. Usually they are interested in something of national or international importance.
Lets say President Bush came to your town and was leaving via the back door. Now someone's daughter, about 4 years old is there with their parent, Bush sees her and stops to talk and signs an autograph for her. AP may very well pick that up but, you need to know who she is, her parent and be able to write a caption telling who, what, when and where. AP gets lots of submissions from local photographers everyday and I am not sure but I don't think they pay stringer rates for submissions.

[Persian-Rice]

PR, to answer your question about how AP works, it is like this. They have basically 4 levels of photographers.

1. Staffers who are paid a salary and cover a wide range of stuff from press conferences to sporting events and major news stories, i.e. a Presidental visit etc. Their equipment is supplied by AP.

2. Contract photographers who are paid a day rate for covering basically the same thing the staffers would do. As with a staffer you must be very versatile and flexible in your schedule. Contractors supply there own equipment.

3. Freelancers who are paid for the shot they get. They may cover something and submit it to AP. If AP uses it they get paid, if not there is no paycheck for your time you spent on that shoot. Basically they shoot on spec.

4. Stringers are the low end of the food chain at AP. That is what I do for AP. Anyway they send you out to an event, i.e. the Indy 500 and station you somewhere, me I am in turn 3. Now if a crash happens they look at what everyone shot. So you figure for a typical crash they will look at the sequences from 15 photographers who each shoot 8- 14 shots of the crash, depending on where the crash happens. Now they will find the best shot each guy has, narrow that down to about 4 shots from 4 guys and pick the best one. They look for angle, background, flying parts, focus and exposure. The guy who gets the shot receives $150. The rest, well they are free to shop their shots around but, just about every news organization who would be interested has someone in that turn.

Getty from what I understand operates about the same way. I believe they use more freelancers tho and have less staffers than AP.

Shooting on spec is a no win situation really. If it is something they use then you get paid but if not, you have wasted your time. You may have a great shot but they may also have a guy there. Usually they are interested in something of national or international importance.
Lets say President Bush came to your town and was leaving via the back door. Now someone's daughter, about 4 years old is there with their parent, Bush sees her and stops to talk and signs an autograph for her. AP may very well pick that up but, you need to know who she is, her parent and be able to write a caption telling who, what, when and where. AP gets lots of submissions from local photographers everyday and I am not sure but I don't think they pay stringer rates for submissions.

Thanks man, I really want to keep my options REALLY open. The only things that I have no interest following for a prolonged period of time are weddings and product photography. I definitely like any sport, nature/wildlife, landscape, journalistic/street (B&W being my favourite) and glamour/studio photography, but not basic portrait stuff. I'm also willing to move to anywhere in Europe, Canada or Japan after I graduate in photography and journalism in 3/4 years. I the contractor idea to build a good rep, gain experience and create a good reference for myself yet keep some time free for my own work.

Why would you be a stringer if you can be a freelancer, the way you explain it, they are almost the same thing. BTW, any chance you can PM with some info on what a speed filter does,?examples and where I can buy one? I heard you mention one a long time ago and I forget to ask you about it. Thanks.

Cheers!

[4walls]

I know a wedding photographer here in Canada who is shooting 40
weddings this year. He gets from $1800 to $3500 per wedding averaging
more towards the $3000 mark.

But as stated, there are lots of advertising costs, and printing costs, etc.
He has found going digital (about 2 years now) easily paid for itself in the
first year (doesn't hurt that he is great with the computer work).

But he has also expanded and does framing and matting for his clients as
well. He also makes a killer DVD album (looks really professional) and
charges $300 a copy for that. He found he was selling a lot of 4x6's to
the relatives at $3 each, so to rid himself of the nuisance, he doubled the
price to $6 each and sells just as many.

His biggest problem is holding on to a good assistant. They learn so much
from him that they branch out on their own and do well. He does book
weddings for his former assistants when he is busy, so he gets some
referral $'s for that too.

As you might have guessed...he is a clever businessman.

[blinking8s]

my father had a photo shoot on his horse farm for a magazine, it was like $2k a day and then fee's for film and equiptment rental...a magazine did the shoot, but the dude stayed like a week....thats AWESOME

more than i make in 8 months...haha...wait, closer to a year

college budget sucks :(

because i have such insane connections with the horse industry, if I pursue my photography degree my first goal would be to go travel the world as an apprentice to some of the people I grew up around, it would just be fun...or a small newspaper job so I can gain some experience

[Big_B]

I can't help thinking of all the tallented people I know who have tried to make a living through photography but have never made it pay (as a primary source of income).

[4walls]

Blinking8s, were you the one who was going to shoot that construction
crane? If not, does anyone remember that? Wonder how that went
and if there was money in that?

[blinking8s]

Blinking8s, were you the one who was going to shoot that construction
crane? If not, does anyone remember that? Wonder how that went
and if there was money in that?

nah, not me...I remember the thread though, I told him I would do it if he wouldnt :)

[4walls]

Wow, that was a fast reply... almost like using an IM. :lol:

[blinking8s]

im a forum professional ;)

[Big_B]

It was timmyQ. His pics are here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=35593&highlight=crane+dad

[4walls]

Thanks for the link.

[koalah]

I have an interview coming up for a big company who is looking for a photographer to shoot their product images and images for their website. It will be a full time job with them.

My question is how much should I expect to be paid yearly? This would be my first 9-5 type job as a photographer as all my other work has been freelance and full day contract.

Another question I'm wondering is if they will supply the equipment or would I have to rent what they may need? Would they supply the camera as well or would I use my own?

Any advice would be appreciated. :)

[Karl Johnston]

Salaries? What is this "salary" thing you speak of?:lol: A lot of newspaper/journalists blend journalism with photography - not just photography. I think sometimes they may contract out but for the smaller ones there isn't a dedicated photographer. Typically I'd estimate about 30-40 odd thousand, maybe, for a photojournalist on a newspaper who doesn't also do freelancing.

[bohdank]

I hate to say this but competent photographers are really a dime a dozen these days. The ones that make a (good) living will tell you it's 90% business savy and 10% photographic skill that will put money in your pocket.

[Naturalist]

I hate to say this but competent photographers are really a dime a dozen these days. The ones that make a (good) living will tell you it's 90% business savy and 10% photographic skill that will put money in your pocket.

Very true! How many times have you seen a photograph and thought, "I could have done a lot better than that!"

Perfect example of they are marketing and selling, and making the bucks, while you are not.

[PhotosGuy]

My question is how much should I expect to be paid yearly? This would be my first 9-5 type job as a photographer as all my other work has been freelance and full day contract. It's not that easy. Where? NY, or Albania? Benefits? Vacation? Size of the company? Etc...
Salary Calculators (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=Salary+Calculator&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images) Another question I'm wondering is if they will supply the equipment or would I have to rent what they may need? Would they supply the camera as well or would I use my own? Ask.

[airfrogusmc]

Lots of talk about going Pro. How much do Pro's make? Many answers to this question. For example, what was Herb Rits or Ansel Adams worth, annual income? What about a Sports Illustrated, AP, New York Times. What about a local paper photographer. Then there are wedding and event photog's. As you can see, this could be a nice long discussion.

Adams was one of the few that could make a living with his fine art photography and he still had to take some commercial work.
His estate is probably doing better than he did when he was alive.

I have a good friend that shoots high end weddings and makes over 500K a year.

If your in advertising/commercial 150k +

When I worked as the staff photographer for a hospital full time when I left to start my open business almost 10 years ago it was 45K

If you work for yourself full time I would thing you would have to be bringing in close too 70K min to maintain any standard of living.

If you working for a corporation as a staff photographer they are picking up health insurance, you're getting vacation pay and other benefits but if you work for yourself thats all on you.

Also I think what a lot of people that aren't doing it everyday full time is you are only as good as your last shoot and you have to reach a very high level of consistency. Its not as hard when you have the freedom to create at your own pace and much different when you have to do it on demand.

[koalah]

It's not that easy. Where? NY, or Albania? Benefits? Vacation? Size of the company? Etc...
Salary Calculators (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=Salary+Calculator&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images) Ask.

It's for a very huge retail company. The location is in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
I have three years experience as a photographer and meet their requirements. As for benefits and vacation, I have no idea what they will offer.

I'd be taking photos of their products as well as supply images for their website and blog.

Like I said, it's my first full time job of this nature so I'm just looking for some guesstimates on what salary range may be offered to me.

Thanks again!

[hooookup]

Shooting on spec is a no win situation really. If it is something they use then you get paid but if not, you have wasted your time. You may have a great shot but they may also have a guy there. Usually they are interested in something of national or international importance.


Shooting on spec is hardly a no win situation. As a celebrity photographer in Los Angeles, I shoot on spec everyday of the week and make a decent living doing it. I'm able to send my pictures to several news outlets and have more people pushing my work than some of my colleagues who shoot for day rate.


Getty pays contributors, in LA at least, a $200 buyout. No sales, nothing. So if you make a really beautiful picture of Brad and Ange on the carpet, you are SOL buddy. At the end of the day I don't give a crap who i'm shooting for or where the picture goes, it all comes down to the paycheck.

[usukshooter]

I know some portrait/wedding photographers who bring in more then $100,000 USD a year. But this really depends on your location - they planted themselves in areas where their target clients make something like $600,000 to even a mil a year and are willing to pay high sums for portraits of their kids or weddings.

[chauncey]

I have an interview coming up for a big company who is looking for a photographer to shoot their product images and images for their website. It will be a full time job with them.

My question is how much should I expect to be paid yearly? This would be my first 9-5 type job as a photographer as all my other work has been freelance and full day contract.

Another question I'm wondering is if they will supply the equipment or would I have to rent what they may need? Would they supply the camera as well or would I use my own?

The fact that you're asking these questions on this website tells me that you're kinda new to the interview/bargaining process.
A quick google type search led me to these sites http://www.dogpile.com/dogpile/ws/results/Web/how%20to%20job%20interview/1/417/TopNavigation/Relevance/iq=true/zoom=off/_iceUrlFlag=7?_IceUrl=true

Just remember that when you bargain...he who opens his mouth with a number first, is the loser in the process. And when you really must give an answer...just say "whatever is standard at the company, taking my skills into consideration".
You should get/have these answers, somehow/someway, before the interview.

[yogestee]

I hate to say this but competent photographers are really a dime a dozen these days. The ones that make a (good) living will tell you it's 90% business savy and 10% photographic skill that will put money in your pocket.

I'm going to pass this onto my colleagues at the newspaper I used to work for and see their reaction.. In a department of nine photographers with the least experienced having 12 years of service there must be someone who is competent..

BTW,,one guy has 35 years of continuous service..

[bohdank]

It doesn't conflict with anything I have said.

[yogestee]

I believe it does.. You are saying most professional photographers aren't competent.

[airfrogusmc]

I believe it does.. You are saying most professional photographers aren't competent.

I can tell you like yogestee has stated if you don't have the skills to deliver a high quality product CONSISTENTLY you won't be in business long no matter how good of a business man you are. You need business skills but most of it is just common sense.

Most of the photographers I know that have been at it 15 years plus are all good and very consistent. And I've seen those that ain't come and go.

[yogestee]

I can tell you like yogestee has stated if you don't have the skills to deliver a high quality product CONSISTENTLY you won't be in business long no matter how good of a business man you are. You need business skills but most of it is just common sense.

Most of the photographer I know that have been at it 15 years plus are all good and very consistent. And I've seen those that ain't come and go.

Amen brother..

When I was studying commercial photography (four year course) natually most subjects had emphasis on photographic practises and a large darkroom component.. But in the final year there were subjects like business practises and also camera maintenance with a little electronics thrown in for good measure..

[usukshooter]

I believe it does.. You are saying most professional photographers aren't competent.

Wouldn't be the first elitist photographer.

[chauncey]

Again, to quote my good friend Mitch, "good photographers are like ants at a picnic", there's a ton of them out there.

[airfrogusmc]

Again, to quote my good friend Mitch, "good photographers are like ants at a picnic", there's a ton of them out there.

So the key would be to figure out how to separate yourself from all the other ants or else you'll just be another ant.

[chauncey]

So the key would be to figure out how to separate yourself from all the other ants or else you'll just be another ant
Maybe institute some sort of a quality rating system like...good, better, best. Any more that that would be confusing to us. :lol:

[RDKirk]

I know some portrait/wedding photographers who bring in more then $100,000 USD a year. But this really depends on your location - they planted themselves in areas where their target clients make something like $600,000 to even a mil a year and are willing to pay high sums for portraits of their kids or weddings.

Even then, "bring in" can be a far cry from what goes into the personal bank account. The annual surveys of the membership of the Professional Photographers of America indicates the median net income to be only $20,000 USD. This is, as I said, the median--but I suspect it's close to the modal.

[airfrogusmc]

Maybe institute some sort of a quality rating system like...good, better, best. Any more that that would be confusing to us. :lol:

Just concentrate on what you do really well and do it. KNOW in side and out the area you are going to be using those skills in and make CONNECTIONS. DON'T TRY TO BE EVERTING TO EVERYBODY. In my opinion its the kiss of death.

To the OP. In a situation like yours if you can get into an industry as a staff photographer its a great way to learn that industry and build relationships inside that industry. A good deal of industries are very incestuous in the way managers, directors move around inside those industries. They'll stay in one place for a couple years and then move on to move up.

If you've built good working relationships with these people when they move on they could be thinking of using you to photograph on a freelance basis for them and if you ever start your own business those contacts will be SO VALUABLE. So sometimes it can be worth it to take a small salary to learn the industry from the inside and make the right kind of connections.

[yogestee]

To the OP.. Beginning out as a self-employed photographer is very, very difficult unless you have a huge networking base and your work is different or just knock-your-socks-off briiliant.. Be prepared to live off two minute noodle soup and beans at times, if you do make the jump into self-employment..

I was working as a staff photographer for eight years before I ventured into self-employment.. During those years as a staffy I made a lot of contacts which helped me heaps.. Many clients I worked with as a staff photographer followed me into self employment.. I had four years being self-employed and the first three were brilliant but the final year was terrible due to a down turn in the Australian ecconomy in the late '80s.. In 1990 I was offered a job with a newspaper as a staffy which I took,, it was the third job they offered me and stayed with them for 17 years until July 2007..

I all fairness,,I made a good and satisfying living out of photography..

[airfrogusmc]

To the OP.. Beginning out as a self-employed photographer is very, very difficult unless you have a huge networking base and your work is different or just knock-your-socks-off briiliant.. Be prepared to live off two minute noodle soup and beans at times, if you do make the jump into self-employment..

I was working as a staff photographer for eight years before I ventured into self-employment.. During those years as a staffy I made a lot of contacts which helped me heaps.. Many clients I worked with as a staff photographer followed me into self employment.. I had four years being self-employed and the first three were brilliant but the final year was terrible due to a down turn in the Australian ecconomy in the late '80s.. In 1990 I was offered a job with a newspaper as a staffy which I took,, it was the third job they offered me and stayed with them for 17 years until July 2007..

I all fairness,,I made a good and satisfying living out of photography..

As have I but the first couple of years were VERY LEAN and I had connections.:D

[S.Horton]

Well........ I don't know if this is accurate....... but.......
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Photographer/Hourly_Rate

[DreDaze]

I believe it does.. You are saying most professional photographers aren't competent.

i'm pretty sure you misunderstood bohdank...saying that competent photographers are a dime a dozen...means that there are many competent photographers, in fact a whole bunch so it's pretty much the opposite of what you thought he meant

To the OP..

the o.p. posted this over 5 years ago...i'm sure he's gotten it figured out by now...i'd be interesting to know how it went for him...but his last post here was in january of 08...:D

[yogestee]

i'm pretty sure you misunderstood bohdank...saying that competent photographers are a dime a dozen...means that there are many competent photographers, in fact a whole bunch so it's pretty much the opposite of what you thought he meant

My apologies go out to Mr bohdank :) .. Misunderstood and misread :oops: ..

[usukshooter]

Even then, "bring in" can be a far cry from what goes into the personal bank account. The annual surveys of the membership of the Professional Photographers of America indicates the median net income to be only $20,000 USD. This is, as I said, the median--but I suspect it's close to the modal.

Well, the way they spoke of it, it sounded like this is what was going into their personal bank account. Not surprising when you can charge $1,000 USD for one framed print. Don't remember the exact size but of course it was a very large print. Still... a grand... I just remember him talking about "the first time I decided to raise my prices to a grand, I was so nervous my client would freak out - but she didn't blink an eye, just took out her cheque book and started writing." Like I said, we're talking about an area of clients with very, very high incomes themselves.

[airfrogusmc]

Well, the way they spoke of it, it sounded like this is what was going into their personal bank account. Not surprising when you can charge $1,000 USD for one framed print. Don't remember the exact size but of course it was a very large print. Still... a grand... I just remember him talking about "the first time I decided to raise my prices to a grand, I was so nervous my client would freak out - but she didn't blink an eye, just took out her cheque book and started writing." Like I said, we're talking about an area of clients with very, very high incomes themselves.

Most members of PPA are wedding/portrait photographers and there are a good deal of weekend warriors so I guess $20,000 net would be about right. Where you live can have a good deal to do with how much you make also. It would be very hard to live on 20,000 net a year in this area if that was total net income. ;)