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Media producer vs freelance photographer

The differences between media producers and freelance photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a media producer, becoming a freelance photographer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a media producer has an average salary of $57,433, which is higher than the $42,949 average annual salary of a freelance photographer.

The top three skills for a media producer include instagram, training videos and twitter. The most important skills for a freelance photographer are adobe photoshop, aperture, and adobe lightroom.

Media producer vs freelance photographer overview

Media ProducerFreelance Photographer
Yearly salary$57,433$42,949
Hourly rate$27.61$20.65
Growth rate8%9%
Number of jobs17,8271,766
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4039
Years of experience122

What does a media producer do?

A media producer is an individual who is involved in the production of audio and video content used for commercials, movies, online channels, or other mediums. Media producers are given tasks such as creating animation, editing, and arranging videos or developing program materials. They must have excellent skills in using software editing programs such as Final Cut Pro, AVID, and After Effects to create visual pieces. Media producers are also required to work closely with the production crew and directors, sound engineers, videographers, and producers.

What does a freelance photographer do?

A freelance photographer produces photos while under a specific short-term contract. They are primarily responsible for coordinating with the client to learn any requests or preferences, bringing necessary devices and lighting equipment, securing the best location and setting, handling any obstruction during the photoshoot, and delivering high-quality results in a short amount of time. Moreover, a photographer must maintain a healthy working environment with clients or models by building rapport, which will also help establish a client base.

Media producer vs freelance photographer salary

Media producers and freelance photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media ProducerFreelance Photographer
Average salary$57,433$42,949
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $79,000Between $29,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityFarmington, CT-
Highest paying stateConnecticut-
Best paying companyAltice USA-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between media producer and freelance photographer education

There are a few differences between a media producer and a freelance photographer in terms of educational background:

Media ProducerFreelance Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorCommunicationPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Media producer vs freelance photographer demographics

Here are the differences between media producers' and freelance photographers' demographics:

Media ProducerFreelance Photographer
Average age4039
Gender ratioMale, 67.1% Female, 32.9%Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage14%11%

Differences between media producer and freelance photographer duties and responsibilities

Media producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and track media clips regarding the U.S. Senate race.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions, proofread and edit marketing materials, manage magazine inventory.
  • Organize media management system for archival footage, photography, and animations.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations incorporating charts, scans, photographs and graphics.
  • Act as the sole video consultant for all videos publish to Facebook and YouTube.
  • Lead marketing strategy & implementation, social media, SEO, & new business development.
  • Show more

Freelance photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage HDR and PANO shots for greater Pittsburgh area.
  • Help manage a few bands Facebook pages and websites, including sharing and promoting shows and upcoming relate events.
  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Provide commercial photography to assist company advertising and promotion on social platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
  • Experience with Nikon D90 and relate equipment.
  • Experience with Nikon D50 D2100 SLR digital cameras
  • Show more

Media producer vs freelance photographer skills

Common media producer skills
  • Instagram, 11%
  • Training Videos, 9%
  • Twitter, 8%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Video Content, 5%
  • YouTube, 5%
Common freelance photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 30%
  • Aperture, 14%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 5%
  • Portfolio, 4%
  • Music Videos, 4%

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