The pros and cons of working as an event photographer were recently explored in the periodic feature “Pay Grade” in The Wall Street Journal. According to two photographers interviewed in the feature, the pay for this job can range anywhere from a flat rate, which may be dependant on amount of images sold to a publication, to about $10 to $25 an hour, depending on experience.

Gerry Waite, owner of All Sports Action Photography in Ventura, Calif., says his own earnings range from $70,000 to $200,000 a year, while he pays his five full-time photographers and 20 stringers $10 to $25 an hour, says the article. The hours working as an event photographer also vary for each person. In addition to time spent shooting certain events, photographers spend time on production work, including cropping, correcting color, printing, and transferring images to CD or DVD, says the article.

Medical and dental coverage is common for staff photographers, but self-employed professionals typically find their own coverage or join a union, says the article. Amy Sussman, a freelance photographer in Brooklyn, N.Y., says she belongs to a freelancer’s union that offers health-care coverage for about $200 a month.

As a bonus to the work day, many photographers have the chance to shoot images of celebrities, politicians and corporate leaders. It is also common for photographers to get the same free merchandise and products as event participants.

Although an undergraduate degree in photography, journalism or related fields is often not required by employers, event photographers should be prepared to spend a good deal of money on equipment and photo editing software, according to the article. The job can offer photographers access to private parties, large events and important functions, but can also take its toll. Many event photographers spend many weekends on the job, and other days completing production work, which can lead to little free time.

Most photographers learn about jobs by networking. Joining trade group and attending industry gatherings for event planners, who commonly hire freelance professionals, are tips offered in the article. Event photographers can search job boards as well. The Sports Photographers Association of America (SPAA), a PMA member association, provides resources, education and networking for sports and event photographers.