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7475 Career Guide

Navy

7475: Photographer

Career transition guide for Navy Photographer (7475)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 7475 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Commercial Photographer

$65K
High matchStable demand

Photojournalist

$50K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

AP StyleJournalism ethics

Digital Marketing Specialist

$60K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

SEO/SEMSocial media marketingContent creation strategy

Corporate Communications Specialist

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Public relationsStrategic communicationsCrisis communications

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 7475 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a photographer, you were constantly aware of your surroundings, anticipating events to capture the perfect shot, whether on a ship, in the field, or during exercises. You had to be aware of lighting, angles, and movement while maintaining operational security.

This translates directly into the ability to quickly assess environments, predict potential issues, and maintain composure under pressure, a valuable asset in dynamic civilian settings.

Resource Optimization

You managed and maintained expensive photographic equipment, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. You had to make the most of available light and manage film, digital storage, and battery power efficiently.

This experience demonstrates your ability to effectively manage assets, minimize waste, and maximize productivity, a crucial skill for managing budgets and resources in any industry.

Procedural Compliance

As a photographer, you strictly adhered to operational security (OPSEC) protocols, respecting sensitive information and ensuring proper handling and storage of classified materials. Your work required consistent adherence to established rules and guidelines.

This rigorous training has instilled in you a keen understanding of the importance of following established protocols. You're detail-oriented and understand the significance of policies and procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Team Synchronization

You collaborated closely with other personnel, including public affairs officers, journalists, and combat camera teams, to document events effectively. Coordinating your movements and communication with others to achieve shared objectives was essential.

Your experience fostering collaboration and maintaining fluid communication with diverse personalities makes you capable of ensuring everyone is on the same page in a fast-moving setting.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Insurance Investigator

SOC 13-1031

You've been trained to meticulously document events, assess situations, and preserve evidence, skills highly valued in insurance investigations. Your attention to detail and understanding of protocols make you well-suited to uncover fraud and ensure accurate claims processing.

Archivist

SOC 25-4011

Your background in photography has equipped you to value historical items. You've been tasked with maintaining and preserving visual information and documentation; archiving would utilize the same skills.

Technical Writer

SOC 27-3042

You've been trained to document complex and sometimes sensitive events in a clear, concise manner. Your experience translating visual information into written narratives is valuable in creating user manuals, reports, and other technical documentation.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Naval School of Photography, Fort Meade, Maryland

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Basic Photography Principles
  • Digital Imaging Workflow
  • Photojournalism
  • Portrait Photography
  • Advanced Composition and Lighting
  • Video Production Fundamentals
  • Photo Editing Software (Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom)
  • Operational Security (OPSEC) for Photographers

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)60% covered

Requires study of advanced lighting techniques, portraiture, and commercial photography principles as the Navy primarily focuses on documentation and operational photography.

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate30% covered

Requires study of FAA regulations, airspace, weather, and drone-specific operational procedures not fully covered in standard Naval photography training. Actual drone piloting experience and flight log may be required.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Journalism Professional (CJP)Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Digital Single-Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLR)Professional-grade DSLR Cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony)
PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop
Premiere ProAdobe Premiere Pro
Avid Media ComposerAvid Media Composer
ENPS (Electronic News Production System)AP ENPS, iNews
Final Cut ProFinal Cut Pro

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