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Sports photographer vs freelance videographer/editor

The differences between sports photographers and freelance videographer/editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a sports photographer, becoming a freelance videographer/editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a freelance videographer/editor has an average salary of $48,481, which is higher than the $27,958 average annual salary of a sports photographer.

The top three skills for a sports photographer include adobe photoshop, camera equipment and kids. The most important skills for a freelance videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.

Sports photographer vs freelance videographer/editor overview

Sports PhotographerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Yearly salary$27,958$48,481
Hourly rate$13.44$23.31
Growth rate9%12%
Number of jobs6,9175,409
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age3937
Years of experience26

What does a sports photographer do?

Sports photographers are hired to take pictures of different sports events and athletes. They mainly work in print medias such as magazine or newspapers. Their photos must express the skill and emotion of the athletes. Sports photographers carry sophisticated cameras and shoot photos from different angles. Their photos could be mesmerizing to sports enthusiasts.

What does a freelance videographer/editor do?

A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.

Sports photographer vs freelance videographer/editor salary

Sports photographers and freelance videographer/editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sports PhotographerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average salary$27,958$48,481
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $34,000Between $34,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between sports photographer and freelance videographer/editor education

There are a few differences between a sports photographer and a freelance videographer/editor in terms of educational background:

Sports PhotographerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNew York University

Sports photographer vs freelance videographer/editor demographics

Here are the differences between sports photographers' and freelance videographer/editors' demographics:

Sports PhotographerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average age3937
Gender ratioMale, 62.7% Female, 37.3%Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%10%

Differences between sports photographer and freelance videographer/editor duties and responsibilities

Sports photographer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage providing and dressing the customers with old western costumes in preparation of taking their photos.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and publication quality images using digital input devices, photo-editing and graphic arts software.
  • Mount cameras on tripods or stands, and load prescribe types and sizes of film in cameras.
  • Photograph children, families and pets with holiday backgrounds, on Santa's lap, with elves, etc.
  • Provide news/sports reports and play-by-play announcing for football and basketball games
  • Create and execute station's college basketball coverage including play-by-play.
  • Show more

Freelance videographer/editor example responsibilities.

  • Provide right-hand executive assistance to the editor-in-chief; manage all aspects of professional life.
  • Upload the video to YouTube and make some DVD copies for them to hand out to customers.
  • Experience in using DSLR cameras and HD video camcorders such as: Sony EX3, and Sony PMW 350K and others.
  • Edit and post the footage to the association's Facebook page.
  • Establish an online presence through the use of a Facebook page.
  • Authore and convert documents to HTML on a daily deadline-driven basis.
  • Show more

Sports photographer vs freelance videographer/editor skills

Common sports photographer skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 20%
  • Camera Equipment, 14%
  • Kids, 8%
  • School Administration, 8%
  • Digital Photography, 8%
  • Youth Sports, 6%
Common freelance videographer/editor skills
  • Training Videos, 38%
  • Video Content, 6%
  • Video Production, 4%
  • Camera Operation, 4%
  • Video Projects, 3%
  • Video Shoots, 3%

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