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Camera Operator, Camera Person, Photographer (Action / Aerial / Commercial / Fashion / Forensic / Portrait / Product / Scientific / Wedding / Wildlife), Photojournalist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Most photographers use digital cameras to shoot their subjects. They may specialize in genres such as commercial, fashion, portrait, event, forensic, aerial, or scientific photography, or photojournalism. In general, they:
Commercial photographers may specialize in several areas, such as advertising, architectural, corporate, fashion, industrial, or product photography. They may take pictures for:
They may photograph:
They may specialize in large products, small tabletop work, or fashion photography. They must be very versatile, able to shoot almost anything, and produce dramatic, quality work quickly. They often work closely with art directors and use computers to digitally manipulate images.
Commercial photographers who work for advertising agencies also need graphic design skills. For more information, see the Graphic Designer occupational profile.
Portrait photographers take pictures of individuals or groups of people or pets, often at significant moments in their subjects’ lives. In small photography studios or department stores, portrait photographers may have a variety of responsibilities in addition to taking pictures. These may include:
An ability to help people relax in front of the camera is an essential skill for portrait and wedding photographers.
Event photographers attend events such as sports tournaments, family reunions, or weddings, and take digital photographs. They may take posed or candid shots or both. They may sell printed copies or digital files of images to those who hired them or to people who attended the event.
Forensic photographers are members of the police service who use cameras, computers, and related equipment to:
Forensic photographers may employ a variety of specialized materials and techniques, including:
Forensic photoanalysts are scientists who use photographic or photo-analytical techniques to examine physical marks and relate materials to each other. For example, microscopic marks on 2 objects may reveal a common source. For more information, see the Forensic Laboratory Analyst occupational profile.
Aerial photographers shoot 2-dimensional or stereoscopic pictures from aircraft for:
They may photograph subdivisions of homes or land lots for realtors, industrial sites for corporate brochures, or land formations for surveys. They use various types of equipment to produce black-and-white, colour, infrared, or 3-dimensional images. Remote controlled aerial drones are also becoming popular for use in this field, but require a valid drone pilot certificate by Transport Canada. For more information, see the Helicopter Pilot or Airline Pilot occupational profiles.
Scientific and biomedical photographers specialize in scientific fields such as medicine. They may:
Medical photographers must have a good understanding of human anatomy. They may work closely with medical illustrators and graphic design specialists to prepare presentations for medical lectures or textbooks.
In this highly technical field, scientific photographers obtain information using specialized techniques such as:
Photographers in this field often use very delicate instruments such as optical microscopes attached to a camera. Some medical photographers, such as retinal photographers, are highly trained specialists.
Photojournalists (news photographers) are “visual reporters” who take photographs for news outlets and magazines to document and tell news stories about events, people, places, and objects. They must be able to recognize a scene or event as important or unusual, make decisions instantly and be willing to capture the moment, sometimes in dangerous circumstances.
They usually use digital cameras and so they are able to transmit pictures electronically to news outlets shortly after taking them. They must stay abreast of changing technology such as high-definition video cameras and multimedia presentations for newspaper websites.
Writing or on-camera reporting may be part of a photojournalist’s assignment. Magazines and newspapers sometimes buy a “picture story,” which includes both pictures and a written narrative. For more information, see the Reporter occupational profile.
Photographers may routinely need to lift equipment weighing more than 20 kilograms. Photojournalists may carry lenses, a laptop computer, and extra camera equipment that weigh up to 20 kilograms. Commercial photographers may lift and move lighting cords and stands weighing from 10 to 40 kilograms. Some professional photographers may hire an assistant to help with equipment.
The pressure of having to shoot within strict timeframes and meet deadlines can be stressful. Photographers also may face conflict situations if client’s expectations are not met. For example, clients may expect that they will have ownership of the image files.
Other working conditions, especially working environments and hours, vary a great deal in this occupation. For example, commercial photographers and portrait photographers may work in well-lit studios, scenic outdoor locations, clients’ homes, churches, or corporate offices. Photojournalists may work outdoors in all types of weather. Safety training may be required when working in industrial locations, such as construction sites.
Full-time work may mean regular hours, 5 days a week, in an office. Freelance photographers often need to work evenings and weekends and may need to get to a certain location at a moment’s notice. The scenes to be photographed are sometimes very unpleasant. Some photojournalists travel to various news “hot spots” around the world. Living conditions may be less than ideal, or even dangerous.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Photographers
2023 OaSIS: 53110.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Photographers need:
They should enjoy conceiving, composing, and capturing interesting pictures, finding creative ways to present ideas, and developing innovative approaches to their work.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 44 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 18, 2022 and Apr 07, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Operate computers to manipulate photographic images | 32 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used | 31 |
| Tasks: Take pictures of individuals, families, groups and public | 30 |
| Tasks: Adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/newmedia products | 25 |
| Tasks: Operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers | 25 |
| Tasks: Develop and print photographs | 24 |
| Photographic Experience: General | 19 |
| Tasks: Use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives | 18 |
| Tasks: Mount and frame photographs | 18 |
| Tasks: Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject | 18 |
Photographers may learn by working in related fields, or by taking related workshops or post-secondary education programs. Computer skills are essential for digital photography.
The field of professional photography is very competitive. To stay competitive, photographers need:
Post-secondary schools throughout Alberta offer fine art, visual arts, design, communications, and journalism programs.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Photography is a competitive field. Most photographers work as freelancers who specialize in one or more genres. Some full-time work is available in areas such as forensic, medical, aerial, or scientific photography. However, these are very specialized jobs and limited in number. Department stores and retail chains offer some full-time positions in portrait photography.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Photographers
2016 NOC: 5221
86.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Talent, reputation, and experience determine how much freelance photographers are able to charge for their services.
Canadian Association for Photographic Arts (CAPA) website: capacanada.ca
News Photographers Association of Canada website: npac.ca
Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) – Alberta Chapter website: www.ppoc.ca/regions/ab/index.php
The Canadian Association of Professional Image Creators (CAPIC) website: capic.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
