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

Photographer Julio Szymanski of Cascavel, a city in Paraná state, says his best-selling urban landscape photos feature some of the 150 or so capybaras that live in a downtown park.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

A young Iberian lynx caught mid play has won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award 2026.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

At first, it was stills photography and he soon became a finalist in the prestigious International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

Photographer Malick Bodian’s second book illustrates coming of age in Africa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

Photographer William M. Smith was to take a historic photograph of the presidential inauguration in front of the recently completed Capitol dome.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson