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Portrait Artist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Red Carrot

Photographer / Video Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

$55 - $75/hr

Take and edit official portraits for customer leadership and staff * Support events across the ... BA/BS (or equivalent) in Art, Multi-Media, Graphic Arts, Design, Photojournalism, Videography ...

Cady Studios, LLC

Studio Makeup Associate

Chesapeake, VA · On-site

$19/hr

Free annual family portrait session * Referral bonus program * Paid learning and development ... We are seeking highly motivated Makeup Artists with outstanding client service skills and a strong ...

CADY

Studio Makeup Associate

Chesapeake, VA

$19/hr

Free annual family portrait session * Referral bonus program * Paid learning and development ... We are seeking highly motivated Makeup Artists with outstanding client service skills and a strong ...

CADY

Studio Makeup Associate

Herndon, VA

$21/hr

Free annual family portrait session * Referral bonus program * Paid learning and development ... We are seeking highly motivated Makeup Artists with outstanding client service skills and a strong ...

Cady Studios, LLC

Studio Makeup Associate

Herndon, VA · On-site

$21/hr

Free annual family portrait session * Referral bonus program * Paid learning and development ... We are seeking highly motivated Makeup Artists with outstanding client service skills and a strong ...

Red Carrot

Photographer / Video Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

Take and edit official portraits for customer leadership and staff * Support events across the ... BA/BS (or equivalent) in Art, Multi-Media, Graphic Arts, Design, Photojournalism, Videography ...

Red Carrot

Photographer / Video Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

Take and edit official portraits for customer leadership and staff * Support events across the ... BA/BS (or equivalent) in Art, Multi-Media, Graphic Arts, Design, Photojournalism, Videography ...

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Portrait Artist information

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$7

$21

$69

How much do portrait artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for portrait artist in Virginia is $21.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.62 and $21.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a portrait artist?

A portrait artist is a professional who specializes in creating artistic representations of people, capturing their likeness, personality, and mood. They use various mediums such as oil paints, charcoal, pencil, or digital tools to produce portraits from life, photographs, or imagination. Portrait artists often receive commissions for personal, family, or official portraits and may work independently or for art studios. Their work can be found in galleries, museums, private collections, and public spaces.

What is a portrait artist?

A portrait artist is a professional artist who specializes in creating paintings or taking photographs of a person or group of people. You either work as an artist that sells your pieces in galleries, or a commissioned portrait artist that works for a client. As a commissioned portrait artist, your duties include meeting with the client to discuss their desires for the portrait and having them sit for a painting or photograph. Your responsibility is to cater to their needs and produce a portrait the client is happy with, as opposed to focusing on your artistic expression. However, if you instead work to sell your pieces in fine art galleries, you may have complete creative control. You must have above average skills in your discipline, but formal education is not required. Portrait artists generally work for themselves, but photographers can find work with portrait companies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a portrait artist?

To thrive as a Portrait Artist, you need strong drawing and painting skills, a solid understanding of anatomy, color theory, and art composition, often developed through formal art education or extensive practice. Familiarity with traditional media (such as oils, acrylics, charcoal) and digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate is increasingly important in the field. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective client communication help artists capture likeness and personality while managing commissions. These skills are vital for producing compelling, marketable artwork and maintaining successful client relationships.

How do portrait artists typically collaborate with clients to ensure satisfaction with commissioned work?

Portrait artists often begin by consulting with clients to discuss their vision, preferences, and the intended purpose of the portrait. This may involve reviewing reference photos, agreeing on pose, style, and medium, and clarifying expectations regarding timelines and revisions. Throughout the process, artists usually share preliminary sketches or progress updates, inviting feedback to make adjustments before finalizing the piece. Clear communication and a collaborative approach help ensure the finished portrait aligns with the client’s wishes and results in a positive experience for both parties.

What is the difference between Portrait Artist vs Portrait Photographer?

AspectPortrait ArtistPortrait Photographer
CredentialsArtistic training, portfolioPhotography skills, camera proficiency
Work EnvironmentStudios, art galleries, clients' homesStudios, outdoor locations, events
Industry UsageFine art, commissions, galleriesCommercial, personal, event photography

While both Portrait Artists and Portrait Photographers create images of individuals, Portrait Artists focus on hand-drawn or painted portraits often emphasizing artistic interpretation. Portrait Photographers capture images using cameras, emphasizing technical skills and lighting. The choice depends on whether you prefer traditional art or modern photography, but both roles require a keen eye for capturing personality and character.

How much do portrait artists get paid?

Portrait artists' earnings vary based on experience, reputation, and commission size. On average, they can earn from $20,000 to over $100,000 annually, with many working freelance and setting their own rates. Income depends on skill level, client base, and the complexity of the portraits created.

Is it hard to be a portrait artist?

Being a portrait artist requires strong drawing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to capture likeness and expression. Success often depends on practice, building a portfolio, and developing a unique style, which can take years of dedication. The profession may involve irregular income and self-marketing, making it challenging but rewarding for those passionate about art.
More about Portrait Artist jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Portrait Artist jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Portrait Artist jobs in Virginia are:

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For Portrait Artist jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Portrait Artist jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Portrait Artist jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Portrait Artist jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Portrait Artist job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Portrait Artist jobs in VA?

For Portrait Artist jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Portrait Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Portrait Artist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, and 52% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $44,246 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

Photographer / Video Editor

Red Carrot

Arlington, VA • On-site

$55 - $75/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Photographer / Video Editor

Level: Journeyman | Work Location: On‑Site – Arlington, VA

This position is contingent upon contract award.

About the Role

Red Carrot is seeking a Journeyman Photographer/Video Editor to support the customer's External Affairs office on a federal communications contract. This role provides photo and video capture, editing, and production support for a wide range of agency events, campaigns, and digital platforms.

Key Responsibilities
  • Take and edit official portraits for customer leadership and staff
  • Support events across the country with photo and video capture, editing, and documentation
  • Provide video and editing support for events, speeches, and other official activities
  • Support broadcast and live streaming events
  • Create motion graphics and video products
  • Capture and edit photos and video in support of customer mission, both in the NCR and at Regional Offices
  • Produce print, digital, and web-based multimedia content including social media assets, multimedia products, and presentations
  • Manage and transport AV equipment; coordinate with on-site logistics as needed
Minimum Qualifications
  • BA/BS (or equivalent) in Art, Multi-Media, Graphic Arts, Design, Photojournalism, Videography, Video Editing Production, or related field
  • Minimum 5 years of experience
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud including Illustrator (Expert), Photoshop (Expert), InDesign (Novice), Acrobat (Novice), Premiere, Lightroom, and After Effects (Mid-level)
  • Experience supporting live events and government communications preferred
  • Ability to obtain a DHS Fitness Determination
Benefits at Red Carrot

At Red Carrot, we empower you to be a leader. We attract and develop talent from all backgrounds because we believe there’s strength in diversity, offering different perspectives and skills. Together, we can solve our client’s biggest challenges. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package.

  • Training and Development – Tuition reimbursement and professional trainings for eligible employees.
  • Healthcare – Top-tier medical, dental, vision, life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
  • 401(k) Plan – 401(k)-retirement and Roth plan with company matching and no vesting period.
  • Profit Sharing – Discretionary profit-sharing plan to all eligible employees after one year of employment.
  • Paid Time Off – Provides flexible work hours, paid time off, and 11 federal holidays.
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