12 Key Attributes Photographers Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Ava Rodriguez

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Photographers photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects, using digital or film cameras and equipment. They may also develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers, and photojournalists.

The core tasks that photographers are likely to carry out include:

Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus based on a combination of factors such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
Scan photographs into computers for editing, storage, and electronic transmission.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that photographers would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 97.2%

Being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 89%

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 88.8%

Maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 87.4%

Being honest and ethical.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 86.6%

Having a strong preference for artistic work environments. Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 85.71%

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 84.8%

Being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 83.6%

A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 83.4%

Persistence in the face of obstacles.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 82.4%

Accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 82.2%

Being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 82%