Employers
Approximately 11,940 photographic process workers and processing machine operators are employed in the United States. Photographic lab workers work for photofinishing laboratories, portrait studios, and commercial laboratories. Other employers include general merchandise stores and the motion picture, printing, and publishing industries. A small percentage are self-employed or work in the printing industry, portrait studios, and commercial laboratories that provide services to professional photographers.
Starting Out
After receiving a high school diploma or its equivalent, prospective photographic laboratory workers usually apply for jobs at photofinishing laboratories. New employees in photographic laboratories begin as helpers to experienced technicians. As they gain experience, they can start printing and developing pictures on their own. Semiskilled workers usually receive a few months of on-the-job training, while developers may take three or four years to become thoroughly familiar with their jobs.
- 3-D Printing Specialists
- Art Directors
- Bindery Workers
- Business Managers
- Camera Operators
- Cinematographers and Directors of Photography
- Customer Service Representatives
- Desktop Publishing Specialists
- Fashion Photographers
- Fashion Stylists
- Food Photographers
- Graphic Designers
- Manufacturing Supervisors
- Medical Illustrators and Photographers
- Non-Fungible Token Artists
- Photo Editors
- Photographers
- Photographic Equipment Technicians
- Photography Instructors
- Photojournalists
- Prepress Workers
- Printing Press Operators and Assistants
- Publicity Photographers
- Quality Control Engineers
- Quality Control Technicians
- Sales Managers
- Sports Photographers