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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, however, they:
Commercial photographers may specialize in a number of 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 and wedding 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 and large family reunions, take digital photographs and sell images to people attending the event. They may sell print copies of images or CDs of images.
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, for example. They use various types of equipment to produce black-and-white, colour, infrared, 3-dimensional and digital images.
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 thus 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 be required 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 ownership of the image files).
Other working conditions, especially working environments and hours, vary considerably in this occupation. For example, commercial photographers and portrait photographers may work in well-lighted studios, scenic outdoor locations, clients’ homes, churches or corporate offices. However, photojournalists may work outdoors in all types of weather. Safety training may be required when working in industrial locations, such as construction sites.
Those employed full time may work regular hours, 5 days a week. Freelance photographers often are required to work evenings and weekends.
Photojournalists often work long, irregular hours and may be expected 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 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in synthesizing information to determine picture composition, technique and special treatment to be used concerning subject to be photographed, and to set up arrangement to conceive artistic or special effect; may adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
Interest in speaking to arrange and position subjects; and in loading, exposing and unloading film, and in transporting and setting up equipment at assigned locations
Interest in setting up equipment, in making technical adjustments to equipment and in photographing subjects; may operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers to manipulate photographic images; may operate delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras; may process exposed film and use airbrush, computer and other techniques to retouch negatives
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
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 34 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 18, 2022 and Apr 17, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Operate computers to manipulate photographic images | 22 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used | 22 |
| Tasks: Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject | 22 |
| Tasks: Operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers | 21 |
| Tasks: Take pictures of individuals, families, groups and public | 21 |
| Photographic Experience: General | 18 |
| Tasks: Adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/newmedia products | 17 |
| Tasks: Develop and print photographs | 16 |
| Attention to detail | 15 |
| Photographic techniques: Adobe Photoshop | 13 |
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 search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Photography is a very competitive field. Most photographers work as independent freelancers who specialize in one or more types of genre. Some full-time employment 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.
In the 5221: Photographers occupational group, 86.3% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 5221: Photographers occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 58 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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.
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.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.00 | $37.51 | $24.15 | $17.31 |
| Overall | $16.00 | $48.46 | $26.88 | $17.31 |
| Top | $17.31 | $48.46 | $28.29 | $20.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $44,940 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $83,153 |
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: ppoc-alberta.ca
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, 2021. 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.
