Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Medical Photographer
Also Biological Photographer, Biophotographer and Medical Illustrator
Job description
The medical photographer is a highly skilled scientific professional who is responsible for the production of still and motion pictures of subjects for the health professions and the natural sciences. The prints, motion pictures, videotapes, and transparencies produced are used for educational purposes, in patient records, in research, and as illustrations in publications.
Biophotography is the use of photography in documenting things that are living or have lived and is used to capture and record a wide variety of medical events and subjects: for example, the absence, presence, extent, and progress of a patient's condition; an entire surgical procedure (shot on film under sterile conditions); or the intricacies of a highly magnified tissue specimen.
Activities may include
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filming surgical or treatment procedures
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photographing a patient's condition
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taking pictures for use in scientific journals and reports or for use in illustrating research results
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developing and printing film
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editing motion picture and video film
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using digital cameras and digital processing techniques to take, develop, and edit pictures or film
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doing photomicrophy (photography through microscopes) and macro-photography (close-up photography)
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using infra-red, ultraviolet, direct-positive, and electronic processing techniques to develop film
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maintaining and repairing equipment
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preparing charts, graphs, illustrations, x-rays, and slides
Specialties
Medical photographers are also known as biological photographer, biophotographer, biological/biomedical communicator, forensic photographer, or scientific photographer. They can specialize in one or more of several fields: ophthalmic photography (photographing disorders/injuries of the eye), photomicrography (photographs taken through a microscope), cinematography, dental photography, and autopsy/specimen photography.
Salaries and benefits*
The salaries and benefits vary greatly as many biological photographers work as independent contractors or do this type of work as part of a photography business. Independents are usually self-insured and provide for their own benefits. Others may be employed by hospitals, medical schools, universities, libraries, museums, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies; full time employees receive full benefits package.
Training and requirements
Few two and four year colleges offer degree programs. The Rochester Institute of Technology & School of Photographic Arts & Sciences is the only four year program offered. (Department of Biomedical Photographic Communication, One Tomb Memorial Drive, Rochester NY 14623). The Brooks Institute of Photography is currently the only West Coast school admitting new students (2190 Alston Boulevard, Santa Barbara CA 93108).
In addition to photography technique classes, the medical photographer must also take general medical courses to qualify as a professional.
Necessary skills
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genuine interest in medicine
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aptitude for photography
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knowledge of biological sciences
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ability to cooperate and work with other professionals
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good eye/hand coordination, manual dexterity, precision
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ability to observe small details
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ability to work in stressful environment and under pressure
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ability to calm nervous patients
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desire to be helpful and useful to scientific pursuit
Working Conditions
Medical photographers frequently
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Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls
Interpersonal relationships:
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Have high level of social contact
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Work frequently with medical practitioners, students and researchers
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Often work with patients who may be badly injured, very sick and in pain
Hours/Travel:
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May work irregular hours as freelance artist
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Some medical photographers are employed in part-time and full-time positions
Licensure/Certification
A medical photographer can be certified and registered through the BioCommunications Association's Board of Registry (formerly the Board of Registry of the Biological Photographic Association), which has established criteria for competency. The BCA administers a three part certification examination and maintains a registry of certified biological photographers (RBP).
Helpful high school courses
Include art, algebra, biology, chemistry, humanities, journalism, computer illustration, health occupations and physical science.
Outlook*
The job outlook for medical photographers in the State of Washington is good! Nationally, the future is good. The rapid growth of the healthcare industry is causing rapid growth in biophotography, which has become a vital component of the educational and research efforts of major medical, dental and veterinary schools, as well as various major health related activities.
Because biomedical photography is a small field, getting a foot in the door can be difficult. Doing an internship in the field while still in school helps a lot in getting a first job. Getting in touch with working medical photographers can also help, since they often know about job openings, or at least where to look for them.
Professional Associations
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BioCommunications Association
220 Southwind Lane
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-245-0906
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Health and Science Communications Assoc.
39 Wedgewood Drive, Suite A
Jewett City, CT, 06351-2428
860/376-5915
www.hesca.org
1869 West Ranch Road
Nixa, MO 65714-826
1-800-403-1677
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2005. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/1/06