Photography teacher
Also known as: photography instructor, instructor in photography, educator in photography, photography educator, media arts teacher, photography tutor
About this occupation
Photography teachers instruct students in the various techniques and styles of photography, such as (group) portrait, nature, travel, macro, underwater, black and white, panoramic, motion, etc. They provide students with a notion of photography history, but mainly focus on a practice-based approach in their courses, in which they assist students in experimenting with and mastering different photography techniques and encourage them to develop their own style. Photography teachers monitor students' progress and set up exhibitions to show of students' work to the public.
Essential skills and knowledge
- assist students in their learning
- guarantee students' safety
- apply teaching strategies
- observe student's progress
- lighting techniques
- photographic lenses
- consult students on learning content
- photographic processing techniques
- determine image composition
- set up photographic equipment
- give constructive feedback
- perform classroom management
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1121.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Artistic, Investigative
Top skills: Speaking, Instructing, Learning Strategies, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Active Learning
US median pay: US$78,620 a year (2025), 93,560 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).
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsExtremely important (4.9)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (3.6)
- HistoryO*NET: History and ArcheologyImportant (3.4)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.4)
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyImportant (3.2)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.1)
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 Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or 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.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Self-Enrichment Teachers
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
- Instructional Coordinators
- Music Directors and Composers
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Choreographers
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.