Photographers
Job description
These individuals use cameras to photograph various subjects (people, landscapes, events, objects, etc.). They are self-employed or work for:
- Photography studios
- The media
- Museums
- The government
- Companies
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
- Hazardous workplaces
Main tasks
- Select and install the appropriate equipment (camera, film, lighting accessories, etc.).
- Determine the composition of the photograph (colours, shots, etc.) and make technical adjustments.
- Photograph the subject.
- Use a scanner to convert the photographs into digital files, as required.
- Edit and retouch photographs.
- Adapt photographs to create new digital images, as required.
- Develop photos, as required.
- Present various photos to clients and help them make a choice.
- Participate in exhibitions, as required.
- Manage the physical and digital archives of photographs.
Advancement and mobility
- These individuals may specialize in various fields (portraiture, advertising, justice, journalism, etc.) and with various clienteles (families, future brides and grooms, etc.).
Hourly wage
Not available.Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 49.6% Female
- 50.4% Male
- 49.6% Female
- 50.4% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- None
All of Québec
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 5418, 541969% of jobs
-
NAICS 717% of jobs
-
NAICS 44, 456% of jobs
-
NAICS 515% of jobs
-
NAICS 812% of jobs
-
Others11% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 5418, 541969% of jobs
-
NAICS 717% of jobs
-
NAICS 44, 456% of jobs
-
NAICS 515% of jobs
-
NAICS 812% of jobs
-
Others11% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
DVS in photographie
Placement rate: 76.9%
15% of graduates pursue further studies
College
DCS in photography
Placement rate: 79.4%
14.7% of graduates pursue further studies
University
Graphic arts (graphic communications)
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 77.4%
10.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 100%
Photography
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 60%
20% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Portfolio illustrating artistic sense and technical skills.
Sometimes required
- A Bachelor of Visual Arts degree in photography may be required.
- Experience in computerized photography or digital imaging, or knowledge of the field may be required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Active listening
- Oral expression
- Service oriented
- Social perception
- Active learning
- Reading comprehension
- Coordination
- Teaching
- Result evaluation
- Time management
- Judgment and decision-making
- Critical thought
- Solving complex problems
Abilities
- Oral comprehension
- Verbal skills
- Originality
- Visualization
- Distance vision
- Near vision
- Written comprehension
- Idea generation
- Classification
- Colour perception and distinction
- Speech clarity
- Digital dexterity
- Manual dexterity
- Information organization
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Awareness of issues
- Hand-arm stability
- Selective attention
- Speech recognition
Knowledge and attributes
- Knowledge of customer and personalized services
- Capacity to work in a team
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
- Creativity
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of the arts
- Spoken bilingualism (French and English)
- Patience
- Timeliness
Interests
- Work in the arts, culture, music, or leisure
- Create, design
- Carry out research
- Self-employment
- Work manually
- Work outdoors
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Artistic
- People with this profile prefer to express their emotions and thoughts through various art forms. They like to use their imagination.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
Official name of the NOC 53110
Photographers
Job titles
- Photographer
- Multimedia photographer
- Chief photographer
- Multimedia picture illustrator
- Retoucher - photography
- Aerial photographer
- Street photographer
- Racetrack finish photographer
- Finish photographer
- Wildlife photographer
- Fashion photographer
- Still photographer
- News photographer
- Evidence photographer - forensic
- Police photographer
- Medical photographer
- Industrial photographer
- Forensic photographer
- Portrait photographer
- Commercial photographer
- Scientific photographer
- Photojournalist
- Photomicrographer
- Photography supervisor
Skill type
Art, culture, recreation and sport
Related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026