Download Agricultural Photographer

Agricultural Careers
Agricultural Photographer
By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Anna Burgess
Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
Georgia Department of Education
June 2005
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What does an Agricultural Photographer do?
•Travel to sites of interest for photo
opportunities
•Take and edit photographs
•Record a 'story' in photographic form
•Prepare publications for printing
• Prepare images for publication or for
web sites
What Kind of Qualities and Skills Are Needed?
•Be creative
•Able to adapt to new technologies
quickly and perform in various
environments.
•Have an eye for the unseen and be
able to communicate through the
use of pictures.
•Knowledge of computer software
programs and applications is a must
in modern photography
Where Can I Work and What is my Salary?
Companies that hire ag photographers:
Agriculture Magazines
Colleges/Universities
Newspapers
Agricultural Organizations who print
any sort of publication
Salary:
Average annual earnings of salaried
photographers was $24,040 in 2002. Pay
range was from $14,640 to $49,920
Salaried agricultural photographers tend to
earn more than those who are selfemployed or work freelance.
What are the Conditions of the Work Environment?
•Working conditions for photographers vary considerably.
•Photographers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week with
extended hours occasionally.
•Many photographers work free-lance, part-time or variable
schedules.
•Occasionally agricultural photographers work in dirty,
uncomfortable or dangerous surroundings.
•Many photographers must wait long hours in all kinds of
weather for an event to take place and stand or walk for long
periods while carrying heavy equipment.
How Can I Become an Agricultural
Photographer?
•Subscribe to photographic newsletters and
magazines
•Join camera clubs or yearbook staffs
•Agricultural photographers may start out as assistants
to experienced photographers.
•A two or four year degree in photography or photographic design will
provide a working knowledge of many kinds of cameras and
equipment, and will help develop artistic ability.
•A minor in an agricultural field will provide one with a general
knowledge of agriculture.
Career Resources
American Society of Media
Photographers
150 North Second Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Internet: http://www.asmp.org
Photo Marketing Association
International
Internet: http://www.pmai.org/
Professional Photographers of
America
229 Peachtree Street, Suite 2200
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Internet: http://www.ppa-world.org
White House News Photographers’
Association
Internet: http://www.whnpa.org/about/
Agricultural Careers
Internet: http://www.agcareers.com
Agriculture Online
Internet: http://www.agriculture.com