Photographers held about 124,900 jobs in 2014. In 2014, about 3 in 5 photographers were self-employed.
The work environment for photographers varies considerably with their specialty.
Portrait photographers may work in studios, but they also often travel to take photographs at a client's location, such as a school, a company office, or a private home.
News photographers and commercial photographers may travel locally or internationally. News photographers often work long, irregular hours in uncomfortable or even dangerous surroundings and must be available to work on short notice. For example, a news photographer may be sent to a war zone to capture images.
Aerial photographers often work in planes or helicopters.
Most photographers stand or walk for long periods while carrying heavy equipment.
Work Schedules
About 3 in 10 photographers worked part time in 2014. Hours often are flexible so that photographers can meet with current and potential clients or visit the sites where they will work. Demand for certain types of photographers may fluctuate with the season. For example, the demand for wedding photographers typically increases in the spring and summer.