Director of photography

About this occupation

Directors of photography are responsible for the visual interpretation of the script and all photography components of the film, including framing, colouring, lightning, style and locations. They create the visual look of the film or television programme and select the filming equipment, including the lens and filters. Directors of photography manage the visual equipment operators and lighting technicians. They work together with the video and motion picture director to achieve the desired effect.

A specialisation of art director.

• Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
• Present final layouts to clients for approval.
• Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
• Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
• Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
• Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.

Typical education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

Interests

Artistic, Enterprising, Conventional

Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination

US median pay: US$114,850 a year (2025), 53,070 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.3)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.2)
• Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsVery important (4.2)
• Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (4.1)
• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Bachelor's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.