Is Photography a Career Path in 2021?

Though many people dream about having a successful photography career, some are uncertain about the stability of the photography career path. With today’s technology, folks can get high-quality pictures by simply pulling out their phone. Understandably so, photographers and those wishing to make a career out of photography worry about their job being taken away by technology.

Do not fret; you can still have a decent photography career. There are many reasons to explain why photography is still a decent-paying career in today’s society. Take a moment to think about it; people still choose to hire professional photographers for important events and moments in their life despite all the technological alternatives. This is because a professional photographer not only has more advanced equipment, but they also have advanced knowledge in capturing and editing photos.

Wedding case study

Think of weddings. There are a few, if not any, weddings that do not hire a professional photographer. Indeed, some wedding planners have input a “no screen” rule for ceremonies specifically to aid professional photographers. A no-screen ceremony means that only professional photographers can take photos and videos, assuring that there will be no phones in the images. 

If photography as a career were dead, there would not be rules like this in place. Instead, phones would be encouraged, and the happy couple would get their photos from those who attended the event.

So, why doesn’t this happen? There are a few explanations. First, folks might prefer that everyone close to them focus on the event itself. Looking out at your loved ones during a ceremony and only seeing phones sounds quite dreary. Therefore, hiring a professional photographer guarantees that no one else focuses on capturing moments during the event. Of course, this is true for other occasions, such as engagement photos, family photos, baby shower photos.

Second, photographers have more advanced photography knowledge. Though some people might have the tools on their phones, they might not have the skill to capture and edit photos properly. A professional photographer knows the best angle, lighting, and setting for each photo. They also provide more creative ideas and poses than amateurs.

Finally, professional photographers have more advanced equipment. Though cellphone cameras are incredible, they still can’t produce the same quality as a professional setup. This is obvious with photos taken at night without proper equipment. Usually, the images come out blurry, dark, and grainy.

In conclusion, the demand for professional photographers will stay consistent despite the advances in technology such as cellphone cameras. Therefore, a photography career is still viable in 2021. The next question then is: How much can one make as a full-time photographer?

According to ZipRecruiter, a professional photographer’s annual salary can range from $31,000 to $73,000. Top earners can earn as much as $200,000+ annually. The salary range is wide because location, experience, education, and availability affect how much a photographer can charge for their services.

TOP FIVE HIGHEST-PAID PHOTOGRAPHY NICHES

Wedding Photography

Annual Salary: $104,000

Work from Home Marketing Photography

Annual Salary: $74,000

Commercial Photography

Annual Salary: $51,000

Fashion Photography

Annual Salary: $41,000

Photojournalism and News Photography

Annual Salary: $35,000

To summarize, a career in professional photography is still a viable career path despite the recent advancements in cellphone camera quality. There are still loads of people who prefer professional photographers to capture their special moments and events!