photographer

American  

[fuh-tog-ruh-fer] / fəˈtɒg rə fər /

noun

• photographers
  plural

1. a person who takes photographs, especially one who practices photography professionally.

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photographer British  

/ fəˈtɒɡrəfə /

noun

1. a person who takes photographs, either as a hobby or a profession

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• photographers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of photographer

First recorded in 1840–50; photograph + -er ¹

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Explanation

Do you frequently take pictures with a camera? Then you're a photographer. It's especially common to call someone a photographer if they do this as a paid job. Soon after photography was invented in the 19th century, people who were passionate about this new art form came along — the first photographers. In the 1840s, they were also known as photographists. The process of making photographs has become less complicated over the years, but photographers remain just as enthusiastic about it. Whether you take photos as a hobby or hang your shingle as a professional, go right ahead and call yourself a photographer.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

photographer photographers

Parties hosted by the fashion photographer Mert Alas and his partner, Tasso Góes de Ferreira, at their Victorian townhouse in London always begin and end in the kitchen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

It wasn't until April of this year, when a photographer emailed to check in on her postponed wedding plans, that she realised she had to make a decision.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

He’s also an award-winning photographer and lifelong member of the Royal Photographic Society.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

As the AFP photos of the attack gained attention, several Israeli media outlets, without citing named sources, said incorrectly that the Israeli military was investigating whether the photographer had a tipoff on the attack.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

“Come on!” the photographer says, louder this time.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

"There's this emergence of a generation of Black photographers within their own communities...seeing photography as this means of self-determination and self-expression," Waggoner said.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

And to continue sharing new visions of Baltimore, a citywide “Flashback Open Call” invited contemporary photographers to submit work for a rotating presentation within the show—expanding the city’s family album.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026

"We work with tens of thousands of small restaurants on their food imagery, including funding professional local photographers," the spokesperson told the BBC.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

At around 15, he and his pal Neil Zlozower attended a concert and were struck by the photographers up front covering the show.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

I was blinded by the glaring lights held high over the heads of the sea of people by news photographers trying to get pictures.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

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