Expert: Don Wood - 4/28/2003

Question
can you please tell me what the salary looks like for a photographer, from just starting to having an established career?  thank you, kim

Answer
The salary depends upon the amount of experience and training that you have in your resume/portfolio. It also depends upon whether you start as a hod-carrier doing the grunt work of carrying equipment, moving lights, acting as a flunky for the photographer so he can concentrate upon getting the image he wants. I wish I could tell you that $250 per week would be starters but I can't, it will depend upon the area you are in, if you are in a large city, this might be a bare minimum wage, in a smaller town it may be a living wage. If you are in a town that may charge $1500 per month for rent and your job only gives you $1000 per month than it is below the limit and you better work hard to better yourself to be entitled to a higher salary. It will also depend upon whether you're working for yourself only or as a part of a stable of photographers. Remember most of our careers depend upon the people asking us to do a job recording their memories, weddings, reunions, etc. Most of these assignments will be on the weekends when you want some time to yourself.
Sorry, Kim, I can't be more specific. You will just have to go out and make applications to the studios in your area. But be prepared to fail a lot before finally landing a job if you are lucky.
Lots of luck in your future endeavors. Please keep in touch.