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Photography internship vs owner/photographer

The differences between photography interns and owner/photographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a photography internship and an owner/photographer. Additionally, a photography internship has an average salary of $67,376, which is higher than the $39,992 average annual salary of an owner/photographer.

The top three skills for a photography internship include adobe photoshop, photo shoots and photography intern. The most important skills for an owner/photographer are adobe photoshop, portrait photography, and customer service.

Photography internship vs owner/photographer overview

Photography InternshipOwner/Photographer
Yearly salary$67,376$39,992
Hourly rate$32.39$19.23
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs52,67547,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

What does a photography internship do?

Photography internship is an advantage to interns who assist photographers while studying since it can develop creativity, strong networking, technical, and practical skills as they learn both lighting and photography business in a real photography studio. These interns are tasked to perform research, update social media platforms, and create images for social media posts. Such valuable hands-on experience serves as an entry-level to boost confidence, increase motivation, gain references, and qualify them for a permanent job offer.

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.

Photography internship vs owner/photographer salary

Photography interns and owner/photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Photography InternshipOwner/Photographer
Average salary$67,376$39,992
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $229,000Between $28,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between photography internship and owner/photographer education

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

Photography InternshipOwner/Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNorthwestern University

Photography internship vs owner/photographer demographics

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

Photography InternshipOwner/Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 30.1% Female, 69.9%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between photography internship and owner/photographer duties and responsibilities

Photography internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media accounts including Instagram and Facebook.
  • Retouch all photographs generate by photography staff.
  • Gain experience with Photoshop and become efficient with a DSLR camera.
  • Collaborate with coworker to write company blog and promote company on Facebook.
  • Log, color correct, tag, retouch, transfer, organize and maintain images and files for digital archive.
  • Help promote company through blogging and Facebook
  • Show more

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.

Photography internship vs owner/photographer skills

Common photography internship skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 34%
  • Photo Shoots, 10%
  • Photography Intern, 6%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
  • Video Shoots, 5%
  • Instagram, 4%
Common owner/photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 25%
  • Portrait Photography, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 8%
  • Photo Shoots, 4%
  • Lifestyle, 2%

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