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Owner/photographer vs product photographer

The differences between owner/photographers and product 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 product photographer. Additionally, an owner/photographer has an average salary of $39,992, which is higher than the $37,701 average annual salary of a product photographer.

The top three skills for an owner/photographer include adobe photoshop, portrait photography and customer service. The most important skills for a product photographer are adobe photoshop, photograph products, and product images.

Owner/photographer vs product photographer overview

Owner/PhotographerProduct Photographer
Yearly salary$39,992$37,701
Hourly rate$19.23$18.13
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs47,71657,109
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

What does an owner/photographer do?

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.

What does a product photographer do?

Product photographer careers require skills in product lighting, production photography, product image editing, communication, management, and organization. As someone who photographs products, you will need to produce quality images of a wide variety of products in order to market goods to consumers. Product photographers may work on a freelance basis or for a company.

Owner/photographer vs product photographer salary

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

Owner/PhotographerProduct Photographer
Average salary$39,992$37,701
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $23,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between owner/photographer and product photographer education

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

Owner/PhotographerProduct Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityHarvard University

Owner/photographer vs product photographer demographics

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

Owner/PhotographerProduct Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 37.5% Female, 62.5%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
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 product 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.

Product photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage post and add editorial photos to the company Facebook page.
  • Manage assistants and stylist teams to ensure timely completion of brand-appropriate studio photography.
  • Photograph products for catalog using studio lighting, DSLR and background.
  • Table top, fashion models, jewelry, furniture, etc.
  • Film scanners used include those make by Imacon, Nikon, and Epson.
  • Photograph new and used vehicles for Motorwerks of Barrington using DSLR camera and equipment.
  • Show more

Owner/photographer vs product photographer skills

Common owner/photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 25%
  • Portrait Photography, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 8%
  • Photo Shoots, 4%
  • Lifestyle, 2%
Common product photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Photograph Products, 11%
  • Product Images, 6%
  • Quality Images, 6%
  • Color Correction, 4%
  • Art Direction, 4%

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