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Product photographer vs freelance producer

The differences between product photographers and freelance producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a product photographer, becoming a freelance producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a freelance producer has an average salary of $62,218, which is higher than the $37,701 average annual salary of a product photographer.

The top three skills for a product photographer include adobe photoshop, photograph products and product images. The most important skills for a freelance producer are music videos, news stories, and video content.

Product photographer vs freelance producer overview

Product PhotographerFreelance Producer
Yearly salary$37,701$62,218
Hourly rate$18.13$29.91
Growth rate9%8%
Number of jobs57,1099,703
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age3940
Years of experience212

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.

What does a freelance producer do?

The responsibilities of a freelance producer are so broad that they can be tricky to define. Broadly, a freelance producer is responsible for finding, launching, and completing a project. They primarily handle logistics pertaining to the creation of various pieces of content. This content may include television shows, advertisements, or audio/video presentations. They also manage finances, keep the production within the allocated budget, and hire all key staff, crew members, and post-production teams. They may also have to scout for shoot locations.

Product photographer vs freelance producer salary

Product photographers and freelance producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Product PhotographerFreelance Producer
Average salary$37,701$62,218
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $59,000Between $33,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between product photographer and freelance producer education

There are a few differences between a product photographer and a freelance producer in terms of educational background:

Product PhotographerFreelance Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Product photographer vs freelance producer demographics

Here are the differences between product photographers' and freelance producers' demographics:

Product PhotographerFreelance Producer
Average age3940
Gender ratioMale, 52.9% Female, 47.1%Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%14%

Differences between product photographer and freelance producer duties and responsibilities

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

Freelance producer example responsibilities.

  • Drive engagement by managing the brand's YouTube channel, as well as all other social media outlets.
  • Manage production shoots for image campaigns and monthly communications meetings for CNN newsroom and internal in-house creative services department.
  • Manage creative release process working closely with site merchandising, content engineering, release engineering, QA, buyers and marketing.
  • Manage the QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Produce for Chubb s website, YouTube, Facebook and on DVD.
  • Help maintain social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Product photographer vs freelance producer skills

Common product photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Photograph Products, 11%
  • Product Images, 6%
  • Quality Images, 6%
  • Color Correction, 4%
  • Art Direction, 4%
Common freelance producer skills
  • Music Videos, 20%
  • News Stories, 6%
  • Video Content, 5%
  • Video Production, 4%
  • Live Events, 4%
  • Photography, 4%

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