Photographer Job Description

A photographer produces images that communicate a specific message to the viewer. Their purpose may be artistic, commercial or editorial and their content can represent anything, for example:

• a moment of happiness;
• a scene of war;
• a plate of food;
• a spectacular landscape.

There is no such thing as a general 'photographer'; most professional photographers specialise in one area, e.g. 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, photography agencies, or in the education or public sector.