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School photographer vs product photographer

The differences between school photographers and product 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 school photographer and a product photographer. Additionally, a school photographer has an average salary of $98,357, which is higher than the $37,701 average annual salary of a product photographer.

The top three skills for a school photographer include customer service, kids and camera equipment. The most important skills for a product photographer are adobe photoshop, photograph products, and product images.

School photographer vs product photographer overview

School PhotographerProduct Photographer
Yearly salary$98,357$37,701
Hourly rate$47.29$18.13
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs25,48257,109
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

What does a school photographer do?

A school photographer is typically a freelancer who works from one institution to another. Their responsibilities typically revolve around organizing and facilitating photoshoots for yearbooks, school IDs, and other events. Moreover, a school photographer is also responsible for coordinating with school authorities to identify and meet their preferences when it comes to the setting and backgrounds, arranging sets, and managing schedules and budgets. A school photographer may also liaise with parents, students, and faculty members to provide them with copies of the photos.

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.

School photographer vs product photographer salary

School photographers and product photographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

School PhotographerProduct Photographer
Average salary$98,357$37,701
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $561,000Between $23,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between school photographer and product photographer education

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

School PhotographerProduct Photographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

School photographer vs product photographer demographics

Here are the differences between school photographers' and product photographers' demographics:

School PhotographerProduct Photographer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 32.5% Female, 67.5%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.5% 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, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between school photographer and product photographer duties and responsibilities

School photographer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
  • Provide a contact point between Lifetouch and school staff.
  • Apply technical knowledge for setup and operation of DSLR cameras and lights for traveling studio-like setting.
  • Act as a representative of Lifetouch and handle on-site communication- including re-booking schools for the following year.
  • Supervise photography team, maintain ENG equipment and develop capital budgets.
  • Demonstrate professionalism and confidence out in the field gaining a greater understanding of photojournalism and photography
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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

School photographer vs product photographer skills

Common school photographer skills
  • Customer Service, 39%
  • Kids, 30%
  • Camera Equipment, 19%
  • High-Quality Images, 4%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 2%
  • Photographic Equipment, 1%
Common product photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Photograph Products, 11%
  • Product Images, 6%
  • Quality Images, 6%
  • Color Correction, 4%
  • Art Direction, 4%

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