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More than just hobbies, film and photography are powerful forms of art that tell stories, evoke emotions, capture moments, and freeze them all in time. Unsurprisingly, professionals in the film and photography sectors enjoy a high demand and are paid well!
To be in photography or film, you need to take a genuine interest in the arts and possess an innate talent for capturing scenes that perfectly convey the story you want to tell. Whether you’re interested in photography, film, or both, you have a wealth of career options.
In this article, you will learn that there are distinct similarities and differences between photography and film—and where either discipline can take you career-wise.
How Photography and Film Differ: A Quick Look
Although there are a few similarities between photography and film, they are different in terms of roles and responsibilities.
Nevertheless, one can easily transition to the other, given the right training and education.
| Photography | Film | |
| Average Salary | $59,311 | $111,742 |
| Job Outlook | 4% | 7% |
| Certificate(s) or License(s) Required | * Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) * Digital Photography Certificate | * Industry-recognized certifications, such as Adobe Certified Professional |
| Job Responsibilities | * Set up photographic equipment * Capture memories and create memorable experiences for clients * Edit and retouch picture * Keep equipment up to date and maintained * Reproduce and frame photographs * Choose and set up locations Promote their business | * Control what happens behind and in front of the camera * Deal with camera positioning, scripts, etc. * Ensure the film production runs smoothly * Procure the necessary equipment * Handle post-production * Capture all shots perfectly * Ensure the best positioning for cameras and other equipment * Ensure great lighting all the time |
What a Photography Professional Does
A career in Photography is a creative outlet that allows you to unleash your eye for beauty. You can express your vision and perspective as uniquely as possible. You can also compose compelling stories through stunning images. Best of all, you can do all these while enjoying a high earning potential!
Photography: Education and Career Options
Portrait photographers are not usually required to have a bachelor’s degree. You can make the cut with an Associate in Photography degree. However, the industry wants well-trained photographers with an in-depth technical understanding of the craft. if you wish to find better opportunities and pursue a career in photography, enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Photography program is an excellent option.
A lot of colleges, universities, trade and technical schools, and vocational-technical institutes offer photography classes that cover topics in equipment, techniques, and processes.
Aside from operating a camera, you’ll also learn how to use lighting equipment properly. You will also be taught about post-production editing and the entrepreneurial, legal, and marketing aspects of photography.
Some of the most popular jobs that photography graduates take on:
- Commercial Photographer
- Portrait Photographer
- News Photographer
- Journalism
- Web Design
A career in Photography is for you if:
- You have an artistic ability to capture subjects in images and a “good eye” to use light, distance, shadows, lights, and colors to produce aesthetically appealing photographs.
- You have customer service skills to ensure you’ll be able to understand the kinds of shots that your clients want and come up with suitable suggestions for ideas that may not be doable.
A career in Photography is not a great fit if:
- You don’t have interpersonal skills, which could prevent you from communicating with your clients on how to achieve their desired composition.
- You always ask other people’s opinions about your work because it can interfere with your creative choices.
What a Film Professional Does
A film is a work of visual art that utilizes moving images or videos accompanied by sound to simulate experiences and communicate stories, perceptions, feelings, and ideas. It may be a motion picture or movie.
It is a highly competitive industry to get into. For one, a lot of jobs in film aren’t advertised, and experience trumps qualifications. This is why you need to be proactive in reaching out to film production companies and studios if you want to land a job. However, graduates often start from the bottom and work their way up to impress film production companies and give you a big break.
Film: Education and Career Options
By pursuing a degree in Film, you’ll have the knowledge and tools needed to achieve your professional goals, whether it be in film production, directing, screenwriting, or set design. Your coursework and practical experience will help you find better career opportunities once you graduate.
You can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies or Digital Film, as well as Media Arts or Media Studies with an emphasis on Film. In these undergraduate programs, you will learn about:
- Video storytelling and cinematography
- Non-linear digital video editing
- Film production management
- Cinematic language: cinematography, sound, editing, storytelling, and film theory
- Analysis of the structural elements of cinematic stories.
Photography students are also exposed to real-world work settings through internships. Upon graduation, they become adept in the many aspects of film and television production. They become confident enough to film and produce content for small-scale platforms, such as advertising, social events, and social media.
Film Studies can lead to many exciting careers. You can earn a degree in the field and undergo training in these specializations:
- Cinematographer
- Director
- Editor
- Producer
- Screenwriters
A career in Film is for you if:
- You are interested in lenses, cameras, and video editing software.
- You are fond of analyzing films and understanding the dialogues and the emotions that the movies evoke.
- You are highly creative and business-minded.
A career in Film is not a great fit if:
- You are not interested in films or the process of filmmaking.
- You cannot work well under pressure.
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