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Military Photographers and Videographers

Military Career

General Information

Description

Military photographers and videographers have an important job in communicating and recording military activity. Photographers photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, and other subjects, using digital or film cameras and other equipment. Videographers use a variety of electronic media to record videos for television, internet, and film.

Explore this career outside the military

Work Environment

Photographers and videographers work both indoors and outdoors while photographing their subjects. They may take photos from aircraft or ships. They process photographs in photographic laboratories on bases or aboard ships.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Photographers and Videographers in the Military

667

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

$63,085

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Some college 27%
  • High school 18%
  • Bachelor's degree 13%
  • Associate's degree 13%
  • Post-secondary certificate 13%
  • Less than high school 9%
  • Post baccalaureate 4%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Photographers and videographers in the Military will gain skills through classroom study, including practice in taking and developing photographs, and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: Photographic processing and reproductionPrinciples of photojournalismOperation and maintenance of photographic equipmentMotion picture equipment operationAudio recording and using sound equipmentScripting and special effects techniques

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Photographers and videographers in the Military will gain skills through classroom study, including practice in taking and developing photographs, and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Photographic processing and reproduction
  • Principles of photojournalism
  • Operation and maintenance of photographic equipment
  • Motion picture equipment operation
  • Audio recording and using sound equipment
  • Scripting and special effects techniques

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Administrative
  • Administration and Management

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.