Food Photographers

Employers

Approximately 151,100 photographers work in the United States, and 65 percent are self-employed. Many food photographers contract their work out with stock photo agencies, which sell photos to large publishers and other companies for general use. Others are hired by food manufacturers, cookbook publishers, food magazines, and restaurants, either full-time or on a contract basis.

Starting Out

Because it can be hard to find a full-time job or start working for yourself right out of school, most new food photographers choose to work as assistants to food stylists or photographers. In this position, you can learn the details of the job hands-on and make professional contacts for use later in your career. Some photographers never even end up becoming full-fledged photographers, but choose to continue to work as assistants for better-paying or more prestigious photographers.

A photography or culinary degree is not required to work in this job, but formal education will make it easier to break into the industry and attract clients and will serve as a measure of your skills.