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Animal Photography Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VCA Animal Hospitals

Animal Care Attendant

Carmel, IN · On-site

We are seeking an experienced Animal Care Attendant to join our team. The successful candidate will ... Playtime with the pets and sending owners photos. We offer competitive compensation along with a ...

Smith County

Animal Control Officer

Tyler, TX

$40K - $43K/yr

Conduct field investigations and document incidents through written reports, photographs, and evidence collection when appropriate. Educate the public regarding responsible animal ownership, local ...

City of Elko

Animal Shelter Volunteer

Elko, NV · On-site

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

... photos and videos, for distributing to the public; Clean and disinfect dog kennels and cat cages; Clean exercise yards; Housekeeping chores, such as washing and drying laundry, cleaning dishes and ...

Maricopa

Animal Care Associate

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$19 - $25.75/hr

Update animal records and perform data entry at the shelter, including animal identification information, photographs, kennel cards, animal bios, and medical and behavioral information. Ensure animal ...

Harris County

Animal Control Officer

Houston, TX

$47K/yr

Inputs and maintains accurate records of impounded animals, including animal details and photographs, ensuring proper linking for the County website. Dangerous Dog Facility Inspections: Conducts ...

Harris County, TX

Animal Control Officer

Houston, TX · On-site

Inputs and maintains accurate records of impounded animals, including animal details and photographs, ensuring proper linking for the County website. * Dangerous Dog Facility Inspections: Conducts ...

Harris County

Animal Control Officer

Houston, TX

$47K/yr

Inputs and maintains accurate records of impounded animals, including animal details and photographs, ensuring proper linking for the County website. Dangerous Dog Facility Inspections: Conducts ...

Brazoria County, TX

Animal Welfare Assistant

Angleton, TX · On-site

$23.33 - $24.75/hr

Impounds, photographs, and assists in identifying owners of stray or loose animals or livestock brought to the office by Animal Control Officers, other agencies, or the general public; Coordinates ...

Brazoria County

Animal Welfare Assistant

Angleton, TX · On-site

$23.33 - $24.75/hr

Impounds, photographs, and assists in identifying owners of stray or loose animals or livestock brought to the office by Animal Control Officers, other agencies, or the general public; Coordinates ...

Pimacounty

Animal Care Field Officer

Tucson, AZ

$20.72/hr

Gathers evidence on animal care cases, including photographs, tape recordings, and other information for presentation in court; * Maintains legal chain-of-custody for evidentiary materials; * May ...

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How much do animal photography jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal photography in the United States is $20.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges animal photographers face during a typical shoot, and how can they be managed?

Animal photographers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable animal behavior, varying lighting conditions, and securing the animal's attention. To manage these, photographers typically use patience, quick reflexes, and a variety of props or treats to engage the animal. Working closely with animal handlers or owners is essential for both safety and capturing natural expressions. Flexibility and adaptability are key, as shoots may require frequent adjustments to settings and positioning based on the animal's movement and mood.

How much does an animal photographer make?

Animal photographers typically earn between $25,000 and $75,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specialization. Freelance photographers may have variable income based on assignments, clients, and reputation, while those working for organizations or publications often have steady salaries and benefits.

What is the difference between Animal Photography vs Wildlife Photography?

AspectAnimal PhotographyWildlife Photography
CredentialsPhotography skills, possibly wildlife or animal-specific coursesAdvanced photography skills, often wildlife or nature-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentZoos, farms, pet studios, outdoor settings with animalsNatural habitats, national parks, remote outdoor locations
Employer & IndustryPet stores, animal shelters, media companies, zoosNature magazines, conservation organizations, media outlets

Animal Photography focuses on capturing images of animals in controlled or accessible environments like zoos or farms, emphasizing portrait and behavior shots. Wildlife Photography involves photographing animals in their natural habitats, often requiring specialized equipment and patience. While both share foundational photography skills, Wildlife Photography demands a deeper understanding of animal behavior and outdoor survival skills.

Is animal photography a good career?

Animal photography is a specialized field that can be rewarding for those with strong photography skills, patience, and knowledge of animal behavior. It often involves working outdoors, using professional cameras and editing software, and building a portfolio to attract clients or clients. While it can be competitive and income varies, it offers opportunities for creative expression and working with animals in natural or controlled environments.

How do you get into animal photography?

To get into animal photography, develop photography skills, learn about animal behavior, and gain experience through practice or volunteering at shelters or wildlife organizations. Building a strong portfolio and understanding camera equipment, such as telephoto lenses, can help you succeed in this specialized field.

What is animal photography?

Animal photography is a specialized field of photography focused on capturing images of animals in their natural habitats, zoos, or domestic environments. This genre requires patience, understanding of animal behavior, and technical skills to produce compelling and ethical images. Animal photographers may work with wildlife, pets, or livestock, and often need to adapt to various lighting and movement conditions. The goal is to document, celebrate, or raise awareness about the animals being photographed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal photographer?

To thrive as an Animal Photographer, you need strong photography skills, a keen understanding of animal behavior, and experience with camera equipment, often supported by a portfolio or relevant coursework. Mastery of DSLR or mirrorless cameras, photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and sometimes animal handling certifications are typically required. Patience, creativity, and effective communication help you capture expressive images and work collaboratively with animal handlers or clients. These skills ensure the ability to produce high-quality, compelling photos while maintaining the safety and comfort of animal subjects.
More about Animal Photography jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Photography jobs? Cities with the most Animal Photography job openings:
What states have the most Animal Photography jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Photography jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Photography jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Photography jobs are:
Animal Photography jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Photography job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,345 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Photography Assistant

Wandering Seaman Photography

Fort Collins, CO

Part-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Wandering Seaman Photography started out much like any other studio; after spending a number of years as a hobbyist, I merged my love for the art with my passion for working with and helping people. With a keen eye and unique style, I began taking portraits of friends, family and my pug puppy, Franklin.

Job Description

The lowdown
Assisting a photographer in all aspects of their work
Doing whatever is necessary to ensure that a photographic shoot runs smoothly
Assisting in everything from administration, to the shoot, to scouting locations
Is this role right for me?
To do this role, you will need to:
be willing to learn
be organised and practical
understand how to operate digital and traditional cameras, and scanning equipment
anticipate the needs of the photographer
have excellent communication skills
be able to foresee and evaluate potential problems, and deal with them calmly
be skilled in image-manipulation and image-management software
possess good office skills
pay close attention to detail
What does an Assistant Photographer do?
Getting a job as an Assistant Photographer is one of the best routes into a career in professional photography.
Assistant Photographers can learn on the job from a professional, without the responsibility of running a business or producing professional quality images before they are ready.
They must do whatever is necessary to ensure that a photographic shoot runs smoothly. Usually, this involves preparing sets, checking that all equipment is functioning properly, setting up lighting and accessories, taking meter readings, uploading files and transporting film or prints to and from laboratories.
When working from a studio, an Assistant Photographer will help out with general administration, keeping the sets clean and tidy and printing photographs as required. They will be expected to catalogue and optimise digital files, to scan film and to assist with image manipulation and enhancement.
They will also keep records of the film stock, exposures, lighting set-ups, as well as the names and details of art directors, models, stylists, animal handlers and other contributors. When clients are present during a shoot, it is the Assistant Photographer's job to play host and shield the photographer from unnecessary interruptions.
On location, the Assistant Photographer's duties may involve making a technical assessment of the site in advance, checking for vehicle access, power and communications facilities. They will often organise transport, catering and accommodation, set up equipment, and source a local laboratory or reliable courier.
High-profile photographers sometimes employ several Assistant Photographers who are then known as First Assistant, Second Assistant, and so on. Duties will be divided between the various assistants at the discretion of the photographer. In most cases, the First Assistant provides direct support to the Photographer on set, while the Second Assistant assists with production and general administration.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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