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Professional Photographer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aptive

Photographer

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

The Photographer provides professional photography services to capture high-quality visual content that supports agency communications, outreach, events, and public engagement activities. The ...

Senate

Photographer #504

Washington, DC · On-site

$74K - $130K/yr

Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience working as a professional photographer. Required Special Skills/ Knowledge * As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better ...

SHEIN

Senior Ecommerce Photographer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The ideal candidate is a professional photographer with strong social media instincts, a commercial eye, and the ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced fashion environment. Job ...

Cheez

Photographer

Manhattan, NY

Take professional photos of individuals and groups in order to help promote a new photo sharing app (www.cheez.co). You are required to be a good photographer and to be comfortable talking to lots of ...

Blue Compass RV Albany

Photographer

Latham, NY · On-site

$20/hr

This individual will help elevate the Blue Compass RV brand through professional photography and visual content that supports recruiting, sales, social media, advertising, and company culture ...

Blue Compass RV Albany

Photographer

Latham, NY

$20/hr

This individual will help elevate the Blue Compass RV brand through professional photography and visual content that supports recruiting, sales, social media, advertising, and company culture ...

Blue Compass RV Albany

Photographer

Latham, NY

$20/hr

This individual will help elevate the Blue Compass RV brand through professional photography and visual content that supports recruiting, sales, social media, advertising, and company culture ...

Blue Compass RV Albany

Photographer

Latham, NY · On-site

$20/hr

This individual will help elevate the Blue Compass RV brand through professional photography and visual content that supports recruiting, sales, social media, advertising, and company culture ...

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Professional Photographer information

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How much do professional photographer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional photographer 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 is the highest paying photographer job?

The highest paying photography jobs are often in commercial, advertising, and fine art photography, with photographers working for large corporations, luxury brands, or in high-end art markets earning six-figure incomes. Specialized skills, a strong portfolio, and experience with advanced equipment or digital editing can contribute to higher earnings.

How much money do pro photographers make?

Professional photographers' earnings vary widely based on experience, specialization, location, and client base. According to industry data, the median annual income for photographers is around $36,000, with top earners making over $70,000 or more annually. Many photographers supplement income through freelance work, licensing, and selling prints, often working irregular hours and investing in quality equipment and editing skills.

What are some common challenges professional photographers face when managing multiple client projects simultaneously?

Professional photographers often juggle multiple client shoots, editing deadlines, and communication tasks at once. One of the main challenges is staying organized to ensure timely delivery of high-quality images to each client, while also maintaining creativity and attention to detail. Effective time management, clear client communication, and using tools like project management software can help balance these responsibilities. Additionally, photographers must be adaptable to shifting schedules, unexpected weather, or technical issues during shoots.

What is the difference between Professional Photographer vs Commercial Photographer?

AspectProfessional PhotographerCommercial Photographer
CredentialsPortfolio, photography skills, sometimes certificationsPortfolio, photography skills, often industry-specific experience
Work EnvironmentStudios, outdoor locations, eventsAdvertising shoots, product shoots, corporate settings
Employer/Industry UsageFreelance, studios, media companiesAdvertising agencies, corporations, marketing firms

While both Professional Photographer and Commercial Photographer require strong photography skills and portfolios, Commercial Photographers focus specifically on creating images for advertising and marketing purposes. Professional Photographers may work in various settings, including events and portraits, whereas Commercial Photographers typically work on client-driven commercial projects. The roles overlap in skills but differ in focus and industry application.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Professional Photographer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Photographer, you need a strong grasp of photography principles, image composition, lighting, and typically a portfolio that demonstrates your expertise. Mastery of digital cameras, photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and familiarity with studio equipment are commonly required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills help you capture compelling images and work effectively with clients. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality photographs, building a strong reputation, and sustaining a successful photography business.

How much is a professional photographer paid?

The average salary for a professional photographer varies depending on experience, location, and specialization, but typically ranges from $30,000 to $70,000 annually. Freelance photographers may earn more or less based on their client base, portfolio, and hours worked, while those working for companies or studios often have steady pay and benefits.

What is the 80 20 rule in photography?

The 80/20 rule in photography suggests that roughly 80% of the results come from 20% of the efforts, meaning photographers often find that a small portion of their techniques or subjects generate most of their successful images. Focusing on key elements like composition, lighting, and subject selection can improve efficiency and quality in a photographer's work.

What does a professional photographer do?

A professional photographer captures images for a wide range of purposes, such as events, portraits, commercial products, or artistic projects. They use technical skills with cameras, lighting, and editing software to create visually compelling photographs. Professional photographers also consult with clients, plan shoots, and often handle post-production editing to ensure the final images meet specific requirements. Their work may involve working in studios, on location, or traveling to various assignments.
More about Professional Photographer jobs
What cities are hiring for Professional Photographer jobs? Cities with the most Professional Photographer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Photographer jobs? The most popular types of Photographer jobs are:
What states have the most Professional Photographer jobs? States with the most job openings for Professional Photographer jobs include:
Professional Photographer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional Photographer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,345 per year, or $20.4 per hour.
Photographer

Photographer

Aptive

Washington, DC • On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Aptive Environmental rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 37 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 32 rated pest control companies

Job description

Job Summary
Aptive is seeking a full-time Photographer to support a high-visibility federal client. The Photographer provides professional photography services to capture high-quality visual content that supports agency communications, outreach, events, and public engagement activities.
The Photographer role requires a creative, detail-oriented professional with demonstrated expertise in capturing portraits, events, editorial imagery, and environmental photography. This position requires an individual who can effectively translate agency activities, programs, and milestones into compelling visual storytelling that supports internal and external communications.
In this role, the Photographer will plan, coordinate, and execute photography sessions for conferences, meetings, executive engagements, and other official events. The Photographer will also manage post-production editing, prepare images for distribution across digital and print platforms, and maintain organized archives of visual assets to support ongoing communications and media needs.
This is a contingent hire position.
This position is located in the Washington, DC metro area. Some onsite work or travel to the client site for meetings is expected.
The expected compensation at the time of requisition creation, is between $80,000 and $90,000.00. The position offers with medical, dental and vision coverage. Additional benefits such as 401K, disability insurance and PTO are provided as well
Primary Responsibilities
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute professional photography sessions at headquarters and on location for agency events, meetings, conferences, and official engagements.
  • Capture high-quality images of conferences, panels, keynote speakers, and public outreach events.
  • Produce professional portraits and headshots for executives, leadership, and staff.
  • Capture group photography for teams, award recipients, delegations, and other official gatherings.
  • Apply strong visual storytelling techniques to document agency programs, research activities, and public engagement efforts.
  • Perform post-production editing and color correction using professional photography software.
  • Prepare images for publication across digital platforms, websites, social media, reports, and press materials.
  • Maintain organized digital archives of images and multimedia assets, including tagging and maintaining accurate metadata.
  • Utilize digital asset management systems to store, organize, and retrieve photography assets.
  • Coordinate with communications staff, leadership, and stakeholders to understand photography needs and capture key moments.
  • Ensure images meet agency branding, quality, and accessibility requirements.
  • Provide photography support for special projects and communications initiatives as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a four-year college.
  • 5 years of experience providing comprehensive photography services.
  • Portfolio of samples required; portfolio must include examples that demonstrate professional photography skills across a range of subjects, environments, and communication needs (2-3 conferences and events, 2-3 portraits and headshots, 2-3 group photographs).
  • Demonstrated expert level of experience with Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) equipment.
  • Demonstrated expert level of experience in portrait, event, editorial, and/or environmental photography.
  • Strong understanding of composition, lighting, color theory, and visual storytelling.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop and Lightroom.
  • Ability to plan and execute photography sessions in a variety of environments including meetings, events, and studio settings.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
  • Ability to collaborate with communications teams and stakeholders to capture imagery aligned with messaging objectives.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Desired Qualifications
  • Expert level experience with studio and on-location lighting setups.
  • Experience supporting federal agencies, research institutions, or public sector communications teams.
  • Experience managing photo archiving, metadata, and digital asset management systems.
  • Experience photographing conferences, exhibits, and public engagement events.
  • Ability to receive feedback from clients and implement changes quickly and effectively.
  • Ability to get up to speed quickly on complex issues.
  • Desire to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment.

Client Information
The National Science Foundation (NSF) communicates and shares information about the activities, programs, research results, and policies of the Foundation with internal and external audiences and stakeholders including Congress, the news media, state and local governments, other federal agencies, and research and education communities. NSF's efforts to build awareness and promote the benefits of federally funded science and engineering translate into multimedia, web, and other outreach activities that inform policy makers, the media, and the American taxpayers about the value and impact of NSF-supported research and activities. These activities make NSF's investments in science, technology, engineering, education, and mathematics readily available and easily understandable to stakeholders.
About Aptive
Aptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation.
We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day.
Founded: 2012
Employees: 300+ nationwide
EEO Statement
Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.
Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.

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