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Photography internship vs photographer assistant

The differences between photography interns and photographer assistants 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 a photographer assistant. Additionally, a photography internship has an average salary of $67,376, which is higher than the $36,555 average annual salary of a photographer assistant.

The top three skills for a photography internship include adobe photoshop, photo shoots and photography intern. The most important skills for a photographer assistant are adobe photoshop, photographic equipment, and photo shoots.

Photography internship vs photographer assistant overview

Photography InternshipPhotographer Assistant
Yearly salary$67,376$36,555
Hourly rate$32.39$17.57
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs52,6751,771
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
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 a photographer assistant do?

Photographer Assistants help photographers in all aspects of their work. They carry and set up equipment, change lenses, and make small lighting adjustments while the model is holding a pose.

Photography internship vs photographer assistant salary

Photography interns and photographer assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Photography InternshipPhotographer Assistant
Average salary$67,376$36,555
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $229,000Between $20,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between photography internship and photographer assistant education

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

Photography InternshipPhotographer Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Photography internship vs photographer assistant demographics

Here are the differences between photography interns' and photographer assistants' demographics:

Photography InternshipPhotographer Assistant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 30.1% Female, 69.9%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
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, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between photography internship and photographer assistant 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

Photographer assistant example responsibilities.

  • Achieve working knowledge of professional DSLR cameras and equipment.
  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Assist head photographer in outdoor shoots -Operate equipment such as flashes, tripods, reflectors, etc.
  • Work closely with merchandising managers and organize all lifestyle studio and outdoor shoots.
  • Freelance commercial photography with a focus on natural light environmental portraiture and lifestyle photography.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Show more

Photography internship vs photographer assistant skills

Common photography internship skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 34%
  • Photo Shoots, 10%
  • Photography Intern, 6%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
  • Video Shoots, 5%
  • Instagram, 4%
Common photographer assistant skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 38%
  • Photographic Equipment, 15%
  • Photo Shoots, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 3%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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