Photographer
What the work is
Operates a still camera to take photographs.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Plans and prepares for photography sessions
- Organises, sets up and adjusts camera equipment, lighting and props
- Directs and guides individuals or groups for desired poses
- Composes and frames shots to capture subjects and emotions
- Edits and enhances photographs using software
- Maintains and organises photography equipment and studio
- May print, mount and present photographs in various formats
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a small photography studio that also travels to birthdays, weddings, school events and local businesses. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A shy grandfather finally laughs, and you catch it in a single frame
- A family sees their portraits on the wall and goes quiet for a moment
- Golden light, a good location and a client who trusts you to take your time
Hard days
- Hours of editing at night after a full day of shooting
- A client who wants a different photo from the one they said they wanted
- A memory card that will not read, with the event long over
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 391331, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.