Working as a photographer can provide interesting and varied career prospects and opportunities. Whether you are hoping to work as a freelance photographer or take up a fixed job working for a newspaper or magazine we have provided a guide to help get you noticed.
EntryTo become a skilled photographer you will need creative and artistic qualities. You should also have a passion for photography and be familiar with the equipment and terminology involved to an extent.
You should also have an eye for a good picture taking into account positioning and lighting amongst other factors. It also pays to have good people skills particularly if you are hoping to work as freelance photographer at Weddings and other such events. If you are hoping to work for a magazine or newspaper you will also need strong people skills to gain access to good locations as well as strong organisational skills to prioritise your own workload.
TrainingFormal training is not always a guaranteed route to becoming a professional photographer. The majority of people in the industry work self employed so qualifications are not always strictly necessary as the majority of work will be gained on the strength of your portfolio.
Courses are available to enhance your existing skills. Some GCSE art courses will cover modules in photography and many colleges offer A level courses. To further develop your skills courses such as city and guilds are available at varying levels which can lead onto BTECs or HND qualifications.
If you are looking to start a career as a press photographer it is best to start by working at your local paper. Even if you can only get a work experience placement it will help to raise your profile substantially. It is possible to land a job working for a newspaper where you can study block release at college but places are usually limited.
If you are interested in starting a career as a medical photographer then entry requirements are more defined. You will need either a HND in photography or a BSc in medical illustration. Alternatively if you can find a trainee post at a teaching hospital and obtain a post experience certificate in medical illustration.
Career in PhotographyStarting a career as a photographer can be very difficult due to the heavy amount of competition. In particular jobs working for magazines or fashion houses are hard to get into to. Many people will work full or part time and develop their photography skills in their spare times to afford new equipment.
Permanent careers can be found working within medical and scientific industries and services such as the police and army. Freelance photographers usually gain varying amounts depending upon the quality and relevance of the shots you are submitting.
As your professional reputation starts to build you may find yourself earning more. A sense of determination and patience is required to progress further. Hours of work may be irregular and depending upon your whether you use digital or traditional cameras you will also be spending a substantial amount of time in a studio or dark room.
You will need to persevere and put in a lot of hard work to make a living as a photographer. For many the time put in pays off to work in an exciting, fast paced career.
Further information:The British Journal of Photography - Qualifications
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