Cinematographers and Directors of Photography

Employment opportunities for camera operators in the motion picture and video industries are expected to grow by 17.6 percent (much faster than the average for all careers) from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). However, competition for top jobs will be fierce because so many people are attracted to this business.

Because of the public’s continued strong demand for new movies and TV shows, companies are hiring more people as the motion picture industry becomes more productive. Production companies and video freelancers are working with a variety of content delivery methods, such as mobile, Internet streaming services such as Netflix, and online TV, which has created a demand for more cinematographers and directors of photography.

More opportunities may become available for those willing to work outside of the film industry at, for example, advertising agencies and TV broadcasting companies, although the DOL says that "the use of robotic cameras and the increasing reliance on amateur film footage may lead to fewer jobs for camera operators."

Nevertheless, cinematographers and directors of photography with more experience at a TV station or on a film set should have the best prospects. In addition, those with the right connections, strong samples of their work, and some luck are likely to find opportunities.

Cinematographers of the future will work more closely with special effects houses, even on films other than science fiction, horror, and other genres typically associated with special effects. Digital technology is used to create crowd scenes, underwater images, and other effects more efficiently and economically. Cinematographers will have to approach a film with an understanding of which shots can be produced digitally and which will require traditional methods of filmmaking.