Photographer
What is the work like?
Photographers use film or digital cameras to take still photographs for a huge range of uses. Often working to a client’s brief, they use a combination of technical and artistic skills to capture permanent images of people, products, places and events.
As a photographer you would typically specialise in one area, such as:
- general or social (‘high street’) photography – mainly weddings and portraits
- advertising and editorial – images for advertisements, magazines and photo libraries
- press and photojournalism – for newspapers and other news publications
- fashion – photographing models and clothing for magazines and catalogues
- corporate (industrial or commercial) – for company promotional material
- scientific or medical – recording scientific research, or medical conditions and treatments.
With most types of photography your day-to-day work would include:
- discussing the client’s needs
- choosing and preparing locations
- selecting appropriate cameras, film and accessories
- setting up lighting and equipment
- composing and taking shots
- checking image quality
- retouching images, by hand or with digital software such as Photoshop
- processing and printing photos
- marketing and running your business, if self-employed.
Some photographers employ assistants to help shoots run smoothly. Assistants may set up equipment, prepare sets and props, look after clients, keep records and help with printing and administration.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Experience and contacts are the key to becoming a professional photographer, although most photographers take a college or university photography course to develop their technical skills.
Colleges and universities offer a wide variety of full- and part-time photography courses. These range from part-time City and Guilds certificates, to foundation degrees, BTEC HNDs or degrees, which usually require A levels or an equivalent such as an art foundation course for entry.
Courses that offer industry contacts and work placements are especially useful. Some HNDs and degrees include the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE), which is highly regarded by employers. You should check course content and entry requirements carefully.
Finding work as an assistant photographer is a good way of gaining experience, building your portfolio and learning on the job. You will need a keen interest in photography and good basic technical skills. To find work as an assistant, you could contact professional photographers and studios directly, or use a website such as www.photoassist.co.uk.
To become a press photographer, you will usually need a photojournalism qualification approved by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). See the NCTJ website for more details.
What further training and development can I do?
In most areas of photography there are no formal training schemes. Instead, you will usually develop your skills and experience on the job, perhaps starting as a studio assistant or photographer's assistant.
You may get the chance to work towards NVQs in Photo Imaging at levels 2, 3 and 4.
As a professional photographer, you may find it helpful to join professional associations such as the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) and the Association of Photographers (AOP), which offer useful training and networking opportunities. BIPP also runs a mentoring service for new photographers. To join, you will need to submit your portfolio for approval.
Some areas of photography require specialist training, particularly press photography and medical photography. For example, to become a medical photographer you will need to take either:
- a BSc or MSc in Medical Illustration; or
- a BTEC HND or degree in photography, then find a trainee post at a teaching hospital and complete training in clinical photography.
See the Institute of Medical Illustrators for more information.
You will need to keep up to date with new technology and skills throughout your career. BIPP and AOP offer a range of short courses to help you further your skills. See websites for more details.
Where can I go for more information?
29 Arboretum StreetNottingham
NG1 4JA
2 Amwell End
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9HN
Tel: 01920 464011
Station Road
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB11 3PL
Tel: 01799 544014
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
London
EC2A 4QS
Tel: 020 7739 6669
Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Assistant photographers may start on around £12,000 a year.
- Full-time photographers can earn between £15,000 and £50,000 a year.
Freelance photographers are typically paid a fee for each job, or an hourly or daily rate. Rates can vary widely depending on experience and reputation, the type of shoot and the budget available.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your hours of work can be irregular and unsocial, including evenings and weekends. If you are self-employed, you will need to be flexible about when you work. Part-time work may be possible.
Your working environment will vary according to the type of photography you do. You would often work in photographic studios, or you could shoot in other kinds of indoor or outdoor location, depending on the assignment.
Some jobs involve climbing ladders or working at heights, and you may sometimes need to lift and carry heavy equipment. You would spend a lot of time travelling to assignments, either around your local area, or around the UK and possibly overseas.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- creativity and a good eye for shape, form and colour
- practical and technical photography skills
- excellent communication and ‘people skills’
- the ability to put people at ease
- patience and concentration
- reliability, with good organisational and time-management skills
- computer skills, for using digital imaging programmes like Photoshop
- good business sense and the ability to market yourself
- motivation and determination.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for a commercial studio, or be an in-house (‘staff’) photographer for an advertising or PR agency, newspaper or magazine, a large company, hospital, university or research institute, the police or Armed Forces.
Around half of all photographers are freelance or run their own business or studio. Many employers choose to use freelance photographers as and when they need them. Competition is extremely strong and you may need to do other types of work to earn a living when starting out.
Jobs may be advertised on the AOP website and in photography, advertising and design trade publications. However, many jobs are not advertised. You could also find freelance work through networking and word of mouth, approaching magazine picture editors or photo libraries, and listing your details in professional photography directories.
You may find the following links useful for jobs, contacts and further reading (links open new window):
British Journal of Photography
Professional Photographer
Design Week
Creative Review
Creative Handbook (directory)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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