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Studio photographer vs photographer assistant

The differences between studio photographers and photographer assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a studio photographer and a photographer assistant. Additionally, a photographer assistant has an average salary of $36,555, which is higher than the $28,196 average annual salary of a studio photographer.

The top three skills for a studio photographer include customer service, scheduling appointments and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a photographer assistant are adobe photoshop, photographic equipment, and photo shoots.

Studio photographer vs photographer assistant overview

Studio PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Yearly salary$28,196$36,555
Hourly rate$13.56$17.57
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs2,2261,771
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

Studio photographer vs photographer assistant salary

Studio photographers and photographer assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Studio PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Average salary$28,196$36,555
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $43,000Between $20,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between studio photographer and photographer assistant education

There are a few differences between a studio photographer and a photographer assistant in terms of educational background:

Studio PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityHarvard University

Studio photographer vs photographer assistant demographics

Here are the differences between studio photographers' and photographer assistants' demographics:

Studio PhotographerPhotographer Assistant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 37.7% Female, 62.3%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between studio photographer and photographer assistant duties and responsibilities

Studio photographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage photographic operations and darkroom facility.
  • Generate engaging lifestyle, editorial, celebrity, and model images in fast-pace, fully-digital production studio.
  • Design and animate motion graphics for YouTube and promotional material.

Photographer assistant example responsibilities.

  • Achieve working knowledge of professional DSLR cameras and equipment.
  • Manage creative projects from concept to completion; including signs, posters, specialize logos and video documentaries for clients.
  • Assist head photographer in outdoor shoots -Operate equipment such as flashes, tripods, reflectors, etc.
  • Work closely with merchandising managers and organize all lifestyle studio and outdoor shoots.
  • Freelance commercial photography with a focus on natural light environmental portraiture and lifestyle photography.
  • Compile portfolios for multiple photography competitions/certifications.
  • Show more

Studio photographer vs photographer assistant skills

Common studio photographer skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 18%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 17%
  • Photo Studio, 5%
  • Photo Shoots, 4%
  • Digital Photography, 3%
Common photographer assistant skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 38%
  • Photographic Equipment, 15%
  • Photo Shoots, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Adobe Lightroom, 3%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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