Also called: Set Photographer, Stills Photographer
Takes the official photos on a movie or TV set that become posters, press images, and behind-the-scenes shots.
A unit still photographer quietly shoots during rehearsals and takes, using a silent camera so they don't ruin the audio. Later they arrange posed portraits of the cast for marketing.
Approximate; union set photographers earn far more than typical photographers (BLS median ~$43k).
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Photography training plus a strong portfolio; ICG Local 600 classification.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Photography, Film Production.
Growing slowly. Small, competitive niche.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI imagery cuts some poster and publicity work; real behind-the-scenes photos from a working set still need a photographer.
Classes: Photography, Art, Yearbook, Film/video production CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.