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Professional photographer vs wedding photographer

The differences between professional photographers and wedding 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 professional photographer and a wedding photographer. Additionally, a professional photographer has an average salary of $44,490, which is higher than the $30,550 average annual salary of a wedding photographer.

The top three skills for a professional photographer include adobe photoshop, customer service and adobe lightroom. The most important skills for a wedding photographer are adobe photoshop, adobe lightroom, and portrait photography.

Professional photographer vs wedding photographer overview

Professional PhotographerWedding Photographer
Yearly salary$44,490$30,550
Hourly rate$21.39$14.69
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs44,6811,445
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Professional photographer vs wedding photographer salary

Professional photographers and wedding photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Professional PhotographerWedding Photographer
Average salary$44,490$30,550
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $62,000Between $20,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between professional photographer and wedding photographer education

There are a few differences between a professional photographer and a wedding photographer in terms of educational background:

Professional PhotographerWedding Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityHarvard University

Professional photographer vs wedding photographer demographics

Here are the differences between professional photographers' and wedding photographers' demographics:

Professional PhotographerWedding Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 47.4% Female, 52.6%Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between professional photographer and wedding photographer duties and responsibilities

Professional photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and confidence out in the field gaining a greater understanding of photojournalism and photography
  • Retouch images including removing imperfections, color correcting and creating composite images.

Wedding photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Post all pictures on Facebook with privacy setting as requested.
  • Capture photos with self-provide DSLR and assist in adjusting correct lighting and positioning of equipment.
  • Assist lead wedding photographer by setting up equipment and taking candid photos during shoots using Nikon D200.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and publication quality images using digital input devices, photo-editing and graphic arts software.
  • Photograph and process event coverage and holiday pictures with Santa.

Professional photographer vs wedding photographer skills

Common professional photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 37%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 7%
  • Photo Shoots, 5%
  • Event Photography, 3%
  • Portfolio, 3%
Common wedding photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 27%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 12%
  • Portrait Photography, 11%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Bride, 6%
  • Wedding Ceremony, 5%

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