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Contract-photographer vs photography assistant

The differences between contract-photographers and photography assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a contract-photographer and a photography assistant. Additionally, a photography assistant has an average salary of $94,147, which is higher than the $37,986 average annual salary of a contract-photographer.

The top three skills for a contract-photographer include adobe photoshop, product photography and video production. The most important skills for a photography assistant are adobe photoshop, photo shoots, and video production.

Contract-photographer vs photography assistant overview

Contract-PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Yearly salary$37,986$94,147
Hourly rate$18.26$45.26
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs9,2826,155
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Contract-photographer vs photography assistant salary

Contract-photographers and photography assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contract-PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Average salary$37,986$94,147
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $80,000Between $17,000 And $503,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between contract-photographer and photography assistant education

There are a few differences between a contract-photographer and a photography assistant in terms of educational background:

Contract-PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Contract-photographer vs photography assistant demographics

Here are the differences between contract-photographers' and photography assistants' demographics:

Contract-PhotographerPhotography Assistant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 57.7% Female, 42.3%Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between contract-photographer and photography assistant duties and responsibilities

Contract-photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and publication quality images using digital input devices, photo-editing and graphic arts software.
  • Perform all photography and photo-editing/finishing/restoration of product.

Photography assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help manage facebook, youtube page for studios work.
  • Manage the company Facebook account (choosing, editing, uploading pictures, engaging clients, etc . )
  • Manage social media accounts including Instagram and Facebook.
  • Photograph food and field marketing social events used for social media inquiries such as Instagram, Facebook, and press release.
  • Well verse in photography and DSLR bodies
  • Aid students in learning basic DSLR photography skills in classroom and field.
  • Show more

Contract-photographer vs photography assistant skills

Common contract-photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 44%
  • Product Photography, 12%
  • Video Production, 10%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
  • Photo Shoots, 6%
  • Real Estate Properties, 3%
Common photography assistant skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 33%
  • Photo Shoots, 17%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Photographic Equipment, 5%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 4%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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