Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Working Life

A Picture Researcher is a person hired to find and licence suitable photographic images for a client. They must find the best images to illustrate and enhance their client's brief, using their knowledge of the picture library's (or libraries) archive systems, technical research skills, the operation of search engines, as well as their capacity for tangential thought.

Picture Researchers are either employed by a picture library to meet client's requests from their in-house material, or by a publisher, advertiser or picture agency who gives the Picture Researcher overall responsibility for putting together the photographic images for a project. In the latter case, the final selection of images is likely to come from many different picture libraries.

Thanks to advances in digital technology, Picture Researchers mainly source images online, although some smaller specialist picture libraries may still supply transparencies or CD-ROM's. The Picture Researcher takes a brief from the client about the type of images required.

Sometimes this request may relate to finding images of a person, place or event. However, the brief can also be more cryptic or emotive. For instance, a Picture Researcher might be asked to find humorous pictures of dogs and their owners, or images that communicate a sense of freedom. Researchers must consider whether the pictures will be reproduced in black & white or colour; how much space they will take up; whether landscape or portrait format is required; what audience they are aimed at; the budget available; the anticipated sise of reproduction; and the countries and media where the pictures will be published or distributed.

Once the brief has been discussed and agreed - and a fee negotiated, Picture Researchers set about sourcing relevant images using the different libraries' keyword search systems. With so many images available to choose from, they must use their experience to determine the appropriate search words and to select the best pictures, in the appropriate quantity, for their client. It is also the researcher's responsibility to make the client aware of any licensing and copyright restrictions attached to the various images they have selected.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Determine sise and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and sise of type.
• Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
• Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
• Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
• Use computer software to generate new images.
• Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
• Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
• Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
• Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
• Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.

Further Information

• Picture researcher/editor- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

There are many routes to become a Picture Researcher. Most picture libraries seek keen, well-educated candidates for this role who either have a relevant degree or a keen interest in the type of photography held by the picture library.

Since picture libraries and picture agencies often specify the need for prior experience in the sector, it is common for new entrants to agree to undertake some unpaid work to show their aptitude, strengthen their CV and improve their employment prospects.

Many picture researchers start their careers in a related area of work such as:

• Publishing
• Photography
• Design
• Museums
• Art galleries
• Picture libraries & online stock

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: photography, creative digital media.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: photography, creative digital media.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: photography, marketing, creative digital media, graphic design.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €50k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Prosperity

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

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