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Advertising photographer vs staff photographer

The differences between advertising photographers and staff 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 staff photographer. Additionally, an advertising photographer has an average salary of $75,692, which is higher than the $37,094 average annual salary of a staff photographer.

The top three skills for an advertising photographer include adobe photoshop, studio equipment and lifestyle. The most important skills for a staff photographer are product photography, adobe photoshop, and event coverage.

Advertising photographer vs staff photographer overview

Advertising PhotographerStaff Photographer
Yearly salary$75,692$37,094
Hourly rate$36.39$17.83
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs4,91669,695
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Advertising photographer vs staff photographer salary

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

Advertising PhotographerStaff Photographer
Average salary$75,692$37,094
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $328,000Between $21,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between advertising photographer and staff photographer education

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

Advertising PhotographerStaff Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Advertising photographer vs staff photographer demographics

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

Advertising PhotographerStaff Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 75.9% Female, 24.1%Male, 61.8% Female, 38.2%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between advertising photographer and staff 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.

Staff photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Operate specialized camera equipment, including DSLR cameras and lenses, as well as video lighting.
  • Contribute to website and Facebook pages, keeping followers inform about local news and events between weekly papers.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.

Advertising photographer vs staff photographer skills

Common advertising photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 35%
  • Studio Equipment, 18%
  • Lifestyle, 10%
  • Graphic Design, 10%
  • Photo Shoots, 8%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
Common staff photographer skills
  • Product Photography, 33%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 28%
  • Event Coverage, 5%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 4%
  • Photo Shoots, 2%
  • Art Directors, 2%

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