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

Etymology

Origin of photographer

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

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

Curry recurs in Téa Leoni’s excellent sitcom as Sir Rudolph Halley, the imperious, amoral owner of the tabloid paper where Nora, Leoni’s character, works as a photographer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Taken by Norwegian wildlife photographer Audun Rikardsen, it was among the 'Highly Commended' entries in this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

At one point, Burnham stopped to play some chords on a guitar next to a Ukrainian soldier in the back of a soundproofed van, an AFP photographer saw.

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

Bryan Randall, a photographer and Sandra Bullock’s partner of eight years, has died after a three-year battle with ALS.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

“Ruby, the family photographer is coming next week. Perhaps you can start thinking about what you’ll wear, sooner rather than later?” she says.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Many journalists were especially outraged because of the extreme dangers faced by Mexican reporters, editors, columnists and photographers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

In Chapineria, west of Madrid, the flames had torn through dozens of vehicles at an industrial park, leaving charred shells behind, AFP photographers saw.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Metres away, other photographers yelled instructions to ornately dressed young women who held their fingers in victory signs and arched their backs for the camera.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

With pictures of presidents, war, triumph and more, photographers have captured pivotal moments of our history and altered the country’s public consciousness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

Spectators, newsmen, and photographers jammed the foyer outside the courtroom, and everybody was waiting for something big to happen.

From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe