How to hire a Photographer

How to hire a photographer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step photographer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a photographer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new photographer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Photographer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the photographer you need to hire. Certain photographer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A photographer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, photographers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of photographers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type Of Photographer	Description	Hourly Rate
   Photographer	Photographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that tell a story or record an event.	$10-25
   Audio Visual Technician	An audiovisual technician is responsible for operating and monitoring audiovisual equipment and systems used for various events such as live public events and business conferences. Audiovisual technicians' duties include repairing technical issues, running diagnostic tests before actual use, identifying and resolving malfunctions immediately, assembling system components, installing and arranging equipment on their proper positions, instructing clients on how to operate the systems, and ensuring the safety of the equipment... Show More	$13-31
   Camera Operator	A camera operator is responsible for operating various technical equipment to support technical operations, such as media productions and live events. Camera operators must have extensive knowledge of different camera features to select the appropriate device and manage the production's overall visual presentation... Show More	$12-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Adobe Photoshop
   • Customer Service
   • Excellent Time Management
   • Photographic Equipment
   • Professional Demeanor
   • Event Photography
   • Camera Equipment
   • Digital Photography
   • Portrait Photography
   • Photo Shoots
   • Photography
   • Adobe Lightroom
   • DSLR
   • Real Estate

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Help manage and post to their Instagram as well.
   • Lead monthly NPPA critique group on storytelling with photographers.
   • Manage multiple social media profiles for community promotion on YouTube and Instagram.
   • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
   • Assist with a family member s photography business while gaining knowledge of DSLR camera systems and various photography computer software programs.
   • Initiate full photography staff membership to NPPA.

   More Photographer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the photographer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A photographer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a photographer in Louisiana may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level photographer. Additionally, a photographer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average photographer salary

   $16.33hourly

   $33,968 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level photographer salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated April 22, 2025

   Average photographer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	New York	$57,095	$27
   2	Minnesota	$41,120	$20
   3	California	$40,255	$19
   4	Massachusetts	$39,883	$19
   5	Utah	$37,127	$18
   6	Illinois	$36,900	$18
   7	Virginia	$35,747	$17
   8	Washington	$35,717	$17
   9	Maryland	$34,461	$17
   10	Wisconsin	$34,270	$16
   11	Colorado	$33,705	$16
   12	Kansas	$31,643	$15
   13	Pennsylvania	$31,393	$15
   14	Ohio	$31,388	$15
   15	Texas	$30,157	$15
   16	Michigan	$29,837	$14
   17	Alabama	$29,059	$14
   18	Tennessee	$28,956	$14
   19	Georgia	$28,751	$14
   20	Indiana	$28,248	$14

   Average photographer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Jacobs Engineering Group	$76,239	$36.65
   2	Vanderbilt University Medical Center	$60,495	$29.08
   3	Mayo Clinic	$55,935	$26.89
   4	Sinclair Broadcast Group	$51,054	$24.55	42
   5	Uline	$50,495	$24.28
   6	New York State Restaurant Association	$47,771	$22.97
   7	NBCUniversal	$47,637	$22.90	8
   8	Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc.	$46,787	$22.49
   9	Ukpeagvik IOoOupiat Corporation	$45,774	$22.01	2
   10	Lifeway Kefir	$43,937	$21.12
   11	State of Connecticut	$43,928	$21.12
   12	Fashion Nova	$43,032	$20.69
   13	Quad	$42,496	$20.43
   14	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$40,850	$19.64
   15	TEGNA	$40,654	$19.55	1
   16	University of Houston	$40,077	$19.27	2
   17	Messiah College	$40,032	$19.25
   18	Fox News	$39,981	$19.22
   19	The Walt Disney Company	$39,926	$19.20	4
   20	Savannah College of Art and Design	$38,609	$18.56

4. Writing a Photographer Job Description

   A photographer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a photographer job description:

   Photographer job description example

   The News Photographer operates television or video cameras to record images or scenes for news reports. The News Photographer also has a strong digital background.
   
   Shoots audio, video and photos for news reports at various locations where needed.Heavy focus on digital.Has a working knowledge of privacy laws and their application to digital news gathering.Confers with other personnel to discuss assignments, logistics and shot requirements.Sets up, composes and executes video shots.Maintains video equipment in professional working order. Edits video clips for television and website content.Able to manage video clips for show broadcast and archiving purposes.Creates content for Local 5's social media platforms when news merits.Operates live microwave and satellite trucks in remote situations.Operates cellular bonded devices for live broadcasts.Has a strong understanding of NPPA shooting styles.Performs other duties as assigned.
   Skills Required:
   Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, communications, or related field of equivalent combination of education and work experience.Has a valid driver's license.Has clean driving record and understands the responsibilities of driving company vehicles.Fluency in English with strong spelling and grammar.Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with both coworkers and the public. Proficiency with computers, tablets and mobile digital devices.Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Flexibility to work any shift, with some late notice of shift and schedule changes.
   
   Physical Demands and Work Environment:
   The News Photographer must be able to stand, sit, conduct telephone conversations, use electronic mail, write letters and memos, conduct face-to-face discussions with individuals or groups, make decisions without supervision, make decisions that impact the results of co-workers, work in close proximity to others, work outdoors in all weather conditions, and work indoors in environmentally controlled conditions. In addition, must be able to lift, set up and operate equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, and be able to handle, control or feel objects, tools or controls. Repetitive movements are required. Work may be conducted in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions.
   
   The ideal candidate must be able to work well with other staff under periods of stress and impending deadlines and must have a visceral distaste for office politics and gossip.
   
   WFRV and Nexstar Media Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   To find photographers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any photographers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level photographers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your photographer job on Zippia to find and recruit photographer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit photographers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new photographer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the photographer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new photographer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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