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Professional Sports Photographer Jobs in Riverside, CA

Photographer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$24.04 - $26.44/hr

... and sports * Cover spot news and be able to turn around photos quickly on deadline * Gather ... At least two years of professional journalism experience Benefits and Compensation: The hourly ...

Photographer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$24.04 - $26.44/hr

... and sports * Cover spot news and be able to turn around photos quickly on deadline * Gather ... At least two years of professional journalism experience Benefits and Compensation: The hourly ...

Events Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$70 - $95/hr

Support content creation efforts by collaborating on event-related photography, videography, and ... Professional presence and sound judgment when representing the Mitchell & Ness brand in public ...

Data Entry Specialist I

Irvine, CA · On-site

$18.25 - $24.50/hr

Collect, organize and input data from various sources including fields notes, photos, and technical ... professional growth and personal development. Here, you'll work with teams that push the boundaries ...

Professional Sports Photographer information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$8

$20

$25

How much do professional sports photographer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional sports photographer in Riverside, CA is $20.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.05 and $20.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional sports photographer?

A professional sports photographer is a trained individual who specializes in capturing high-quality images of sporting events, athletes, and related moments. They use advanced photography equipment and techniques to freeze fast-paced action and convey the excitement, emotion, and intensity of sports. These photographers often work for media outlets, sports teams, or as freelancers, and their work can be seen in magazines, newspapers, online platforms, and promotional materials. Being a sports photographer requires technical skill, creativity, and the ability to anticipate key moments during an event.

What are some common challenges professional sports photographers face during live events?

Professional sports photographers often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing lighting conditions, unpredictable athlete movements, and strict access limitations at venues. Capturing decisive moments requires quick reflexes, technical expertise with camera equipment, and the ability to anticipate the action. Additionally, photographers must work efficiently under tight deadlines, sometimes editing and submitting images immediately after the event for media publication.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional sports photographer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Sports Photographer, you need a solid understanding of photography techniques, sports knowledge, and typically a degree or experience in photography or photojournalism. Mastery of digital cameras, editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, and fast image transfer systems is essential. Quick reflexes, creativity, and strong communication skills set standout photographers apart in capturing compelling sports moments. These skills ensure you consistently produce high-quality, timely images that meet the fast-paced demands of sports media and publications.

What is the difference between Professional Sports Photographer vs Sports Photojournalist?

AspectProfessional Sports PhotographerSports Photojournalist
CredentialsPhotography experience, portfolio, possibly certificationsPhotography skills, journalism background, portfolio
Work EnvironmentSports venues, studios, eventsLive sports events, newsrooms, field assignments
Employer & IndustrySports teams, agencies, media outletsMedia outlets, newspapers, magazines
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on capturing high-quality sports imagesFocus on storytelling through sports images

While both roles involve sports photography, a Professional Sports Photographer primarily captures high-quality images for commercial or promotional purposes, whereas a Sports Photojournalist focuses on documenting sports events to tell a story for news outlets. The skills overlap, but their goals and work environments differ.

How do you get a job as a professional sports photographer?

To become a professional sports photographer, build a strong portfolio showcasing sports images, gain experience through internships or freelance work, and develop skills in fast-paced photography and editing. Networking with sports organizations and understanding event schedules can also improve job prospects.

Is there a demand for professional sports photographers?

Professional sports photographers are in demand for covering live events, capturing action shots, and working with media outlets, teams, and agencies. Opportunities depend on experience, portfolio quality, and networking, with jobs often available at sporting events, tournaments, and for commercial clients.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sports Photographer jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Sports Photographer jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Professional Sports Photographer jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Professional Sports Photographer jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Professional Sports Photographer jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Professional Sports Photographer jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Professional Sports Photographer jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Professional Sports Photographer job openings:

Infographic showing various Professional Sports Photographer job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,581 per year, or $20.5 per hour.

Photographer

Irvine, CA • On-site

MediaNews Group, Inc.
Print Media Publishing • 10K+ employees

$24.04 - $26.44/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Summary:

The Orange County Register is seeking an exceptional photographer to join our team. Orange County is a diverse, innovative community with 3.2 million residents, and we need a strong photojournalist to help tell the county's stories.

This key position is responsible for elevating the paper's coverage by delivering high-impact, storytelling visuals for all print and digital platforms. We are looking for a skilled photojournalist who can thrive under the demands of rapid spot news coverage while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. Employees in this role are represented by SCNG NewsGuild.

What you will do:

  • Make storytelling photos for all sections of the newspaper and website, including news, features, and sports

  • Cover spot news and be able to turn around photos quickly on deadline

  • Gather accurate and complete information for AP-style photo captions and occasional stories

  • Have an understanding of the assigned stories and be able to communicate that via photos with context and visual impact

  • Communicate effectively with reporters and editors

  • Adhere to photojournalistic standards and ethics

  • Collaborate with other Register local journalists and Southern California News Group photojournalists in a positive culture of teamwork

What you will bring:

  • Prior history as a staff photographer at a daily or weekly newspaper and as a photojournalist

  • Experience with digital content and all social media platforms

  • Highly goal-oriented with the vision to achieve set targets

  • Skilled in Adobe Photoshop

  • Ability to speak multiple languages is a plus

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required

  • At least two years of professional journalism experience

Benefits and Compensation:

The hourly range is $24.04 - $26.44 + cell phone stipend. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility). Please click the following link for more detailed information: www.mymedianewsgroup.com

Who we are:

In 2016, the Southern California News Group (SCNG) rapidly became a major U.S. news organization bringing together prominent publications like the Orange County Register and Riverside Press-Enterprise under the MediaNews Group umbrella. SCNG has become the largest news content provider in the five-county Los Angeles metropolitan area, boasting a leading circulation nationwide with 11 daily newspapers and over a dozen community weeklies. Our mission is to connect communities by providing readers with top-notch local news coverage and offering advertisers unparalleled access to a diverse and engaged audience. No matter the distribution vehicle - newspaper, magazine, mobile, online - SCNG's in-depth reporting on local news, politics, sports, and entertainment attracts a highly desirable audience of over 8.1 million adults weekly. This makes SCNG the leading local news provider and an indispensable marketing solution for Southern California advertisers.

"4x Built In Best Places to Work Winner - 2023-2026"

EEO Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

How To Apply:

  • Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position here

Closing Date:

  • Continuous recruitment until the position is filled

Conditions of Employment:

  • A full pre-employment background check and MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checks

  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation

  • Travel - This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in-person training sessions and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as needed

  • Must be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours

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