Explore unit group

Version:
NOC 2011 Version 1.0

5221 – Photographers

Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects. Photographers are employed by photographic studios, newspapers, magazines, museums and government, or they may be self-employed.

Profile

Index of titles Example job titles

  • Aerial photographer
  • Chief photographer
  • Commercial photographer
  • Evidence photographer - forensic
  • Fashion photographer
  • Finish photographer
  • Forensic photographer
  • Industrial photographer
  • Medical photographer
  • Multimedia photographer
  • News photographer
  • Photographer
  • Photography supervisor
  • Photomicrographer
  • Portrait photographer
  • Racetrack finish photographer
  • Retoucher - photography
  • Scientific photographer
  • Still photographer
  • Street photographer
  • Supervisor, photography
  • Wildlife photographer
  • Aerial photographer
  • Commercial photographer
  • Forensic photographer
  • Industrial photographer
  • Photographer
  • Portrait photographer
  • Scientific photographer

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Photographers perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used
    • Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject
    • May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
    • May operate computers to manipulate photographic images
    • May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/newmedia products
    • May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
    • May process exposed film
    • May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives
    • Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators.

    Photographers may specialize in areas such as portrait photography, commercial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism.

Employment requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in visual arts with specialization in photography or Completion of specialized training in photography in high school, college or specialized training schools or Extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of a photographer is required.
  • Experience in, or knowledge of computerized photography or digital imaging may be required.
  • Creative and technical ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.

Additional information

    Exclusions

    • Film and video camera operators (5222)

    Breakdown summary

    Broad occupational category
    5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
    Skill level
    B – Occupations usually require college education or apprenticeship training.
    Major group
    52 – Technical occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
    Minor group
    522 – Photographers, graphic arts technicians and technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
    Version
    NOC 2011 Version 1.0