Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• 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.
• 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.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

The Work

Photographers take photos for a variety of different uses. Whether they are photographing a news story, a surgical procedure or someone's wedding, photographers use their skills and knowledge to produce an image that records a moment in time.  
 
The activities undertaken by each individual photographer vary greatly depending on the area that they specialise in. Something that all professional photographers have in common though, is the technical equipment that they use. This could include: 

• Traditional camera equipment, including different lenses and filter
• Digital cameras with no film (pictures are stored in the camera's memory, then later transferred to a computer)
• Specialist lighting equipment
• 'Dark room' equipment - used for developing film and processing prints

Some photographers use more specialised equipment and methods. For instance, macrophotography produces highly magnified, close up photographs. An endoscopy takes pictures inside people's bodies. Computers are sometimes used to manipulate photographs and produce new images.  
 
With the developments in digital technologies, the work of a photographer and the skills required has expanded significantly. The photographer will now be just as likely to use a digital camera as a traditional film camera. Photographers have the technology available to enhance photos using digital imaging techniques and technologies.  
 
Some photographers travel locally, nationally and even (particularly for fashion photographers), internationally.

Clinical Photographer:
Clinical photographers photograph patients, specimens, operations and so on, for medical records. They also prepare visual aids such as slides and videos, which can be used for teaching and research purposes.

Clinical photographers work in hospitals, medical schools and research institutions. They work in clinical photography, which involves taking photographs of patients' conditions and injuries, and in surgical photography, which requires them to record operations. Their photographs are used to help doctors diagnose conditions early and to aid researchers and those involved in training medical staff.  
 
They carry out research and preparation for a shoot and they also use an extensive range of equipment.

Scientific Photographer:
Scientific photographers produce precise and detailed photographs of industrial events and processes. These photographs are used by scientists and engineers for training, to monitor industrial processes, for legal purposes, and so on.

Scientific photographers use photographic skills to record information for use by scientists or engineers. They produce photographs for a variety of purposes. For example, they may photograph a research project using high speed photography, keeping detailed notes. At other times, they may produce videos, slides and other visual aids for conferences and training purposes or illustrative/exhibition/publication work. Scientific photographers need to be able to choose the best photographic technique for the purpose, for example to suit analytical procedures or computerised photographic processing. 

Industrial/Commercial Photographer:
Photographers who work in industry or commerce carry out a wide range of photography. They may be employed in one of the following areas:

• manufacturing
• research and development
• architecture and construction
• business
• education

Their work differs according to the nature of the organisation they are working for. Most of their work is carried out on location.  
 
Industrial photographers may use their skills to help solve research problems that arise in such areas as engineering, and for quality control purposes. Commercial photographers may take photographs for use in publicity, or may be involved in producing materials such as videos or slides to support training or enhance presentations. Some photography departments in organisations often provide services to outside firms. This can extend the range of photographers' work. Their photographs are used in a variety of media including books, reports, advertisements and catalogues.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
• Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
• Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
• Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
• Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
• Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialised software.
• Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
• Enhance, retouch, and resise photographs and negatives, using airbrushing and other techniques.
• Test equipment prior to use to ensure that it is in good working order.
• Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and formulas.

Further Information

• Photographer - from: GradIreland
• Photographer - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Photographer - from: YouTube [UK]
• Photographer - from: GradIreland

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

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.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Photography jobs rarely appear in the regular online job listings as many jobs are found through word of mouth. That means that you need to build up a reputation and track record and you need to get to know people in the industry.

To get a first paid photographer job, you need a good and high quality portfolio. A photography course will not only teach you the technical skills you need, such as studio lighting, digital photography, image manipulation and possibly traditional darkroom skills; it will also provide an opportunity to develop your portfolio.

Training & Development Pathways

Training can also help you progress, depending if you plan to go into teaching, journalism, Fashion, or Arts in photgraphy. 

FET Centre Traineeship: Digital Media, Group Facilitation/ Training in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Digital Media, Photography, Journalism, Arts- Portfolio Prep, Photographic Studies, Film & Photography Production, Journalism, Photography and New Media at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: There are no photgraphy / journalism Apprenticeships at present. A photographer may take you on as an incompany trainee, to build your skills. 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Photography with New Media, Photographic Media, Photography courses at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Arts- Photography, Eduction- Further education Teaching, Journalism & Media NFQ level 8-9

It is often useful to be a member of a professional organisation, such as the Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA), as they may list members on their website, organise professional awards and events, or recommend training opportunities.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €51k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed / Glassdoor.ie/ DEASP

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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.

• Irish Professional Photographers & Videographers Association (IPPVA)

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