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The differences between owner/photographers and 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 photographer. Additionally, an owner/photographer has an average salary of $39,992, which is higher than the $33,968 average annual salary of a photographer.
The top three skills for an owner/photographer include adobe photoshop, portrait photography and customer service. The most important skills for a photographer are adobe photoshop, customer service, and excellent time management.
| Owner/Photographer | Photographer | |
| Yearly salary | $39,992 | $33,968 |
| Hourly rate | $19.23 | $16.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 47,716 | 1,772 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.67 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An owner/photographer is responsible for developing digital photographic contents based on clients' needs and specifications by operating multiple photography equipment and photo editing software tools. Owner/photographers coordinate with the clients closely to update them with the progress of the project, ensuring that the deliverables meet the budget goals and the agreed timeframe. They also suggest the best places for the photoshoot for the client's approval. An owner/photographer must be highly creative and organized to achieve clients' satisfaction that would benefit their portfolios and attract more potential clients upon their former clients' recommendations.
A photographer is an individual who focuses on the art of taking images with the use of a digital or traditional film camera. They are knowledgeable in the proper utilization and care of high-end cameras. They generally work as a freelancer and often hired to capture memories of unique clients. Some are also in exclusive partnerships with event-related industries in such settings as weddings, graduation, corporate events, and even commercial shoots. Apart from taking pictures, they also may be required to edit and prepare photographs to submit to clients or for publication.
Owner/photographers and photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Owner/Photographer | Photographer | |
| Average salary | $39,992 | $33,968 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $55,000 | Between $22,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between an owner/photographer and a photographer in terms of educational background:
| Owner/Photographer | Photographer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Photography | Photography |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between owner/photographers' and photographers' demographics:
| Owner/Photographer | Photographer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% | Male, 38.3% Female, 61.7% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |