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Director of photography vs photographer

The differences between directors of photography and photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director of photography has an average salary of $105,236, which is higher than the $33,968 average annual salary of a photographer.

The top three skills for a director of photography include video projects, DP and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a photographer are adobe photoshop, customer service, and excellent time management.

Director of photography vs photographer overview

Director Of PhotographyPhotographer
Yearly salary$105,236$33,968
Hourly rate$50.59$16.33
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs5,7461,772
Job satisfaction-4.67
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age3739
Years of experience-2

Director of photography vs photographer salary

Directors of photography and photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of PhotographyPhotographer
Average salary$105,236$33,968
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $153,000Between $22,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyGap Inc.Jacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between director of photography and photographer education

There are a few differences between a director of photography and a photographer in terms of educational background:

Director Of PhotographyPhotographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityHarvard University

Director of photography vs photographer demographics

Here are the differences between directors of photography' and photographers' demographics:

Director Of PhotographyPhotographer
Average age3739
Gender ratioMale, 79.7% Female, 20.3%Male, 38.3% Female, 61.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%11%

Differences between director of photography and photographer duties and responsibilities

Director of photography example responsibilities.

  • Manage all photography assets for a slate of Showtime original series, documentaries and sports programming.
  • Coordinate and manage show production, including budget creation, scriptwriting and booking guest for on camera interviews.
  • Act as the gaffer and grip.
  • Provide services for YouTube album music releases.
  • Organize camera, electrical and grip crews.
  • Direct the gaffer to meet establish lighting strategy.
  • Show more

Photographer example responsibilities.

  • Help manage and post to their Instagram as well.
  • Lead monthly NPPA critique group on storytelling with photographers.
  • Manage multiple social media profiles for community promotion on YouTube and Instagram.
  • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
  • Assist with a family member s photography business while gaining knowledge of DSLR camera systems and various photography computer software programs.
  • Initiate full photography staff membership to NPPA.
  • Show more

Director of photography vs photographer skills

Common director of photography skills
  • Video Projects, 28%
  • DP, 20%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Sony, 5%
  • Video Production, 3%
  • Cinematography, 3%
Common photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Excellent Time Management, 8%
  • Photographic Equipment, 8%
  • Professional Demeanor, 5%
  • Event Photography, 4%

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