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Owner/photographer vs lead photographer

The differences between owner/photographers and lead photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an owner/photographer and a lead photographer. Additionally, an owner/photographer has an average salary of $39,992, which is higher than the $35,976 average annual salary of a lead photographer.

The top three skills for an owner/photographer include adobe photoshop, portrait photography and customer service. The most important skills for a lead photographer are adobe photoshop, photographic equipment, and portrait photography.

Owner/photographer vs lead photographer overview

Owner/PhotographerLead Photographer
Yearly salary$39,992$35,976
Hourly rate$19.23$17.30
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs47,7166,644
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Owner/photographer vs lead photographer salary

Owner/photographers and lead photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/PhotographerLead Photographer
Average salary$39,992$35,976
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $22,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Syracuse, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Syracuse University
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between owner/photographer and lead photographer education

There are a few differences between an owner/photographer and a lead photographer in terms of educational background:

Owner/PhotographerLead Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Owner/photographer vs lead photographer demographics

Here are the differences between owner/photographers' and lead photographers' demographics:

Owner/PhotographerLead Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 37.5% Female, 62.5%Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.2% 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, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between owner/photographer and lead photographer duties and responsibilities

Owner/photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Set up multiple Profoto lighting and tether DSLR camera equipment.
  • Develop Facebook posts to ensure social interactions with customers.
  • Do stylize commercial photography for fellow business owners for products and portfolio building.
  • Obtain permits, insurance and responsible for acquiring any and all documentation need for photography productions.
  • Perform all photography and photo-editing/finishing/restoration of product.

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

Owner/photographer vs lead photographer skills

Common owner/photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 25%
  • Portrait Photography, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 8%
  • Photo Shoots, 4%
  • Lifestyle, 2%
Common lead photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 23%
  • Photographic Equipment, 20%
  • Portrait Photography, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 4%
  • Digital Photography, 4%

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