Post job

Advertising photographer vs freelance photographer

The differences between advertising photographers and freelance photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an advertising photographer and a freelance photographer. Additionally, an advertising photographer has an average salary of $75,692, which is higher than the $42,949 average annual salary of a freelance photographer.

The top three skills for an advertising photographer include adobe photoshop, studio equipment and lifestyle. The most important skills for a freelance photographer are adobe photoshop, aperture, and adobe lightroom.

Advertising photographer vs freelance photographer overview

Advertising PhotographerFreelance Photographer
Yearly salary$75,692$42,949
Hourly rate$36.39$20.65
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs4,9161,766
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Advertising photographer vs freelance photographer salary

Advertising photographers and freelance photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Advertising PhotographerFreelance Photographer
Average salary$75,692$42,949
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $328,000Between $29,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between advertising photographer and freelance photographer education

There are a few differences between an advertising photographer and a freelance photographer in terms of educational background:

Advertising PhotographerFreelance Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Advertising photographer vs freelance photographer demographics

Here are the differences between advertising photographers' and freelance photographers' demographics:

Advertising PhotographerFreelance Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 75.9% Female, 24.1%Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between advertising photographer and freelance photographer duties and responsibilities

Advertising photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.

Freelance photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage HDR and PANO shots for greater Pittsburgh area.
  • Help manage a few bands Facebook pages and websites, including sharing and promoting shows and upcoming relate events.
  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Provide commercial photography to assist company advertising and promotion on social platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
  • Experience with Nikon D90 and relate equipment.
  • Experience with Nikon D50 D2100 SLR digital cameras
  • Show more

Advertising photographer vs freelance photographer skills

Common advertising photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 35%
  • Studio Equipment, 18%
  • Lifestyle, 10%
  • Graphic Design, 10%
  • Photo Shoots, 8%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
Common freelance photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 30%
  • Aperture, 14%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 5%
  • Portfolio, 4%
  • Music Videos, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs