How To Become An Assistant Manager And Photographer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an assistant manager and photographer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Jennifer Little

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an assistant manager and photographer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $34.23 an hour? That's $71,188 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 9% and produce 11,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an assistant manager and photographer?

Jennifer Little

Associate Professor of Photography, University of the Pacific

If you want to maximize your salary potential, it is good to have multiple specialties, or sub-specialties within Photography and Media. However, it is also critical to understand your audience and tailor the portfolio you submit to a specific type of job, client, or audience, just as you would your résumé. The type and style of photographs you would include in Fine Art, Documentary, Editorial or Commercial Photography Portfolios are very different. Commercial Photography also has many subspecialties, including Portrait Photography, Fashion Photography, Wedding Photography, Product Photography, and Architectural Photography, among others. Most photographers set up completely different web sites featuring their portfolios in these and other specialties because potential clients want to see that they have in-depth knowledge and previous work in the type of photography that they need. For example, if you have a portfolio of gritty documentary photojournalism, you will usually not want to show that to possible clients for your wedding photography, and you should keep these portfolios on different web sites. It is important to know that most Photographers are freelancers now, unless you teach Photography at an academic institution. You will need to learn how to promote yourself and your work as a freelance small business. Many people get started in this area by working as assistants for more established photographers who already have a large studio and freelance client base.

ScoreAssistant Manager And PhotographerUS Average

Salary

5.6

Avg. Salary $71,188

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.5

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 6.99%

Black or African American 6.29%

Hispanic or Latino 15.05%

Unknown 5.68%

White 65.76%

Gender

female 66.12%

male 33.88%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress level

4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

1.9

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an assistant manager and photographer

Explore assistant manager and photographer education requirements

Most common assistant manager and photographer degrees

Bachelor's

50.3 %

Associate

21.3 %

High School Diploma

17.2 %

Start to develop specific assistant manager and photographer skills

Skills	Percentages
Adobe Photoshop	32.45%
Photographic Equipment	17.72%
Customer Service	14.01%
Photo Shoots	7.42%
Scheduling Appointments	3.72%

Complete relevant assistant manager and photographer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New assistant managers and photographer learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an assistant manager and photographer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real assistant manager and photographer resumes.

Research assistant manager and photographer duties and responsibilities

Manage studio space and darkroom.
Manage company Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat accounts.
Manage photographic operations and darkroom facility.
Manage different operating processes and goals for photography team, creating success for office and limiting inaccurate paperwork and improve product.

Prepare your assistant manager and photographer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your assistant manager and photographer resume.

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