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Lead photographer vs sports photographer

The differences between lead photographers and sports photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a lead photographer and a sports photographer. Additionally, a lead photographer has an average salary of $35,976, which is higher than the $27,958 average annual salary of a sports photographer.

The top three skills for a lead photographer include adobe photoshop, photographic equipment and portrait photography. The most important skills for a sports photographer are adobe photoshop, camera equipment, and kids.

Lead photographer vs sports photographer overview

Lead PhotographerSports Photographer
Yearly salary$35,976$27,958
Hourly rate$17.30$13.44
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs6,6446,917
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Lead photographer vs sports photographer salary

Lead photographers and sports photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead PhotographerSports Photographer
Average salary$35,976$27,958
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $57,000Between $22,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CitySyracuse, NY-
Highest paying stateNew York-
Best paying companySyracuse University-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between lead photographer and sports photographer education

There are a few differences between a lead photographer and a sports photographer in terms of educational background:

Lead PhotographerSports Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityHarvard University

Lead photographer vs sports photographer demographics

Here are the differences between lead photographers' and sports photographers' demographics:

Lead PhotographerSports Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 48.2% Female, 51.8%Male, 62.7% Female, 37.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between lead photographer and sports photographer duties and responsibilities

Lead photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage different operating processes and goals for photography team, creating success for office and limiting inaccurate paperwork and improve product.
  • Run and upkeep the business' Facebook page.
  • Resolve operational problems of camera lens, tripods and external flash units.
  • Advance knowledge of photo management and editing software, DSLR cameras and relate equipment.
  • Light social media work also perform on various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter/HootSuite, Lookbook, etc.
  • Operate DSLR cameras and photography equipment.
  • Show more

Sports photographer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and publication quality images using digital input devices, photo-editing and graphic arts software.
  • Mount cameras on tripods or stands, and load prescribe types and sizes of film in cameras.
  • Photograph children, families and pets with holiday backgrounds, on Santa's lap, with elves, etc.
  • Provide news/sports reports and play-by-play announcing for football and basketball games
  • Create and execute station's college basketball coverage including play-by-play.
  • Show more

Lead photographer vs sports photographer skills

Common lead photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 23%
  • Photographic Equipment, 20%
  • Portrait Photography, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 4%
  • Digital Photography, 4%
Common sports photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Camera Equipment, 14%
  • Kids, 8%
  • School Administration, 8%
  • Digital Photography, 8%
  • Youth Sports, 6%

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