fotógrafo
/foh-TOH-grah-foh/
photographer
A fotógrafo (photographer) capturing a moment.
fotógrafo(noun)
photographer
?male professional or amateur
cameraman
?sometimes used for news/events, though less precise
📝 In Action
El fotógrafo tomó unas fotos increíbles de la boda.
A2The photographer took some incredible pictures of the wedding.
Mi tío es fotógrafo de la naturaleza.
A1My uncle is a nature photographer.
Necesitamos un buen fotógrafo para el catálogo.
A2We need a good photographer for the catalog.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Matching
Since this word ends in '-o,' it is masculine. If you are referring to a woman, the word changes to 'fotógrafa.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the Job and the Picture
Mistake: "Hizo una fotógrafo."
Correction: Hizo una fotografía. (The person is the 'fotógrafo'; the picture itself is the 'fotografía'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Easy Connection
Remember the connection to 'foto' (short for 'fotografía') and the '-grafo' ending, which often means 'person who writes or draws' (like biógrafo).
The equipment used for the fotográfico (photographic) process.
📝 In Action
El equipo fotógrafo es muy caro.
B1The photographic equipment is very expensive.
Tiene una memoria fotógrafa, recuerda todo.
B2He has a photographic memory; he remembers everything.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'fotógrafo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes in gender and number. (e.g., 'memorias fotógrafas').
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'fotográfico'
While 'fotógrafo' can be used as an adjective, the form 'fotográfico' (or 'fotográfica') is much more common and preferred for describing things related to photography.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fotógrafo
Question 1 of 2
If you are describing a woman who takes pictures, which word should you use?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I specify if a photographer is professional?
You simply add the adjective 'profesional': 'un fotógrafo profesional' or 'una fotógrafa profesional.' This is a very common pairing.
Can I use 'cámara' instead of 'fotógrafo'?
No, 'cámara' means the actual device (camera). While some industries use 'cameraman' (camarógrafo), 'fotógrafo' specifically refers to the person taking still images.