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

Geoffrey is British Intelligence in the book and works as an aerial photographer.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

The wedding photographer had just walked out of his studio at Highlands Farm, near Rettendon, Essex, when a fire caused a huge explosion at the industrial estate.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

A photographer and fixture in the L.A. punk scene by 14, the fact that she didn’t play an instrument was a minor hurdle when she joined L7 in 1986.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

Mr. Gowin has made a name for himself with his family photographs and as an environmental photographer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Then one night Papa said loudly, “I have an idea! Is there a photographer in the village? Let’s take a picture!”

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata

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

“The couple and the guests wrestled their way through the streets against photographers and tourists from the church to the mayor’s office—hand-to-hand combat.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

Paul Joels, 44, drove from Nottinghamshire to capture the "sparkles", along with other photographers and locals from the area.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

Often, photographers or reporters staked out the front of the house, attempting to get Bobby’s photograph or interview him.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady