1. Agricultural Careers Agricultural Photographer By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Anna Burgess Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. What does an Agricultural Photographer do? Travel to sites of interest for photo opportunities Take and edit photographs Record a 'story' in photographic form Prepare publications for printing Prepare images for publication or for web sites

3. What Kind of Qualities and Skills Are Needed? Be creative Able to adapt to new technologies quickly and perform in various environments. Have an eye for the unseen and be able to communicate through the use of pictures. Knowledge of computer software programs and applications is a must in modern photography

4. Where Can I Work and What is my Salary? Companies that hire ag photographers: Agriculture Magazines Colleges/Universities Newspapers Agricultural Organizations who print any sort of publication Salary: Average annual earnings of salaried photographers was $24,040 in 2002. Pay range was from $14,640 to $49,920 Salaried agricultural photographers tend to earn more than those who are self- employed or work freelance.

5. What are the Conditions of the Work Environment? Working conditions for photographers vary considerably. Photographers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week with extended hours occasionally. Many photographers work free-lance, part-time or variable schedules. Occasionally agricultural photographers work in dirty, uncomfortable or dangerous surroundings. Many photographers must wait long hours in all kinds of weather for an event to take place and stand or walk for long periods while carrying heavy equipment.

6. How Can I Become an Agricultural Photographer? Agricultural photographers may start out as assistants to experienced photographers. A two or four year degree in photography or photographic design will provide a working knowledge of many kinds of cameras and equipment, and will help develop artistic ability. A minor in an agricultural field will provide one with a general knowledge of agriculture. Subscribe to photographic newsletters and magazines Join camera clubs or yearbook staffs

7. Career Resources American Society of Media Photographers 150 North Second Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 Internet: http://www.asmp.orghttp://www.asmp.org Photo Marketing Association International Internet: http://www.pmai.org/http://www.pmai.org/ Professional Photographers of America 229 Peachtree Street, Suite 2200 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Internet: http://www.ppa-world.orghttp://www.ppa-world.org White House News Photographers’ Association Internet: http://www.whnpa.org/about/http://www.whnpa.org/about/ Agricultural Careers Internet: http://www.agcareers.comhttp://www.agcareers.com Agriculture Online Internet: http://www.agriculture.com