Medical Photographer Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

Do you have a logical side and an artistic side? Do you enjoy the sciences and learning about the way the human body works almost as much as you enjoy creating different forms of art like photography and painting? If so, there is a chance that you are the right kind of person to pursue a career as a medical photographer. If you’ve ever thumbed through a medical textbook, or seen high definition pictures of medical procedures on a medical website, you’ve already been introduced to the highly specialized work of medical photographers. These professional artists are responsible for documenting the correct way to perform medical procedures, surgeries and processes, and they must be able to remain calm and accurate even in strange situations. To be successful in this profession, individuals must have a strong knowledge of modern photographic equipment, medical science and computer software for digital photography.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$36,000
Salary Range
$28,900 - $44,700

Work Environment

Because so much of what a medical photographer documents usually ends up in medical textbooks or on medical resource websites, they are typically employed by media companies in the health care industry, including book publishers, website producers, and advertising agencies. However, it is not uncommon for a medical photographer to be in business for themselves, and act as a freelance worker for many different clients.

High School Preparation

Those students who think they have the aptitude and the talent to pursue a career as a medical photographer should spend their high school career focusing on art, biology, chemistry, photography, drawing and design, graphic arts, printing, and computer illustration. It can also be helpful to take additional classes in anatomy, health administration, and advertising.

Requirements

Once the student has achieved the high school diploma, it is very important that they enroll in advanced education courses that will allow them to create a comprehensive portfolio of their photographic talent. Many candidates enroll in art or photography programs at traditional universities and colleges, although there are accredited associates degrees available. Once they have graduated, it is required that students achieve certification by the BioCommunications Association’s Board of Registry, which involves written, practical, and oral examinations.

Career Outlook

As might be expected, the position of medical photographer is a highly specialized field and therefore highly competitive. Very few photographers reach the level of expertise in both medical practice and photography to be able to call them Registered Biological Photographers. None the less, it is predicted that job opportunities for these professionals will increase by at least ten percent over the next few years.

Professional Organizations

BioCommunications Association
220 Southwind Lane
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: (919) 245-0906
www.bca.org