To become a photographer requires an associate's degree from community college with courses in camera operation, lighting, darkroom procedures, and film and paper properties. Experience using different cameras, lenses, film, and filters is important, as are internships. Photographers work either indoors under controlled conditions or outdoors for fields like journalism. Pay ranges from $350 to $2,853 per week for a typical 40-hour week, with benefits including paid time off and insurance. Locations include photography studios or anywhere as a newspaper photographer.