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Photography internship vs photographer

The differences between photography interns 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 a photography internship and a photographer. Additionally, a photography internship has an average salary of $67,376, which is higher than the $33,968 average annual salary of a photographer.

The top three skills for a photography internship include adobe photoshop, photo shoots and photography intern. The most important skills for a photographer are adobe photoshop, customer service, and excellent time management.

Photography internship vs photographer overview

Photography InternshipPhotographer
Yearly salary$67,376$33,968
Hourly rate$32.39$16.33
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs52,6751,772
Job satisfaction-4.67
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
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 do?

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.

Photography internship vs photographer salary

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

Photography InternshipPhotographer
Average salary$67,376$33,968
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $229,000Between $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

Differences between photography internship and photographer education

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

Photography InternshipPhotographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Photography internship vs photographer demographics

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

Photography InternshipPhotographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 30.1% Female, 69.9%Male, 38.3% Female, 61.7%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between photography internship and 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

Photographer example 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.
  • Show more

Photography internship vs photographer skills

Common photography internship skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 34%
  • Photo Shoots, 10%
  • Photography Intern, 6%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 6%
  • Video Shoots, 5%
  • Instagram, 4%
Common photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Excellent Time Management, 8%
  • Photographic Equipment, 8%
  • Professional Demeanor, 5%
  • Event Photography, 4%

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