What is the work like?
As a photographer, you would use film or digital cameras to take
still photographs for a huge range of uses. You would use your
technical skills and artistic vision to capture images of people,
products, places or events, often on a client’s behalf.
You would typically specialise in one area of photography, such
as:
- general or social (often known as ‘high street’
photography) – 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 project with the client, or receiving
instructions (known as a ‘brief’) from them
- 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.
In some cases you might employ an assistant to help shoots run
smoothly. Assistants 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?
Most professional photographers take a college or
university photography course to develop their technical skills,
although experience and contacts are also important for building a
successful career.
Colleges and universities offer a wide variety of full- and
part-time photography courses at all levels from beginner to
advanced. Qualifications range from City & Guilds courses to
foundation degrees, BTEC HNDs or degrees. Higher-level courses
usually require A levels or an equivalent such as an art foundation
course or City & Guilds diploma 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) Licentiateship
qualification, 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.
Follow the link to read about
how
to make it in the photo-imaging industry (career case studies
courtesy of Skillset).
What further training and development can I do?
In most areas of photography there are no formal training
schemes. Instead, you would 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 training and networking
opportunities.
BIPP also runs a mentoring service for new photographers. To
join, you will need to submit your portfolio for their
approval.
Some areas of photography require specialist training,
particularly press photography and medical photography.
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 Street
Nottingham
NG1 4JA
http://www.imi.org.uk
The New Granary
Station Road
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB11 3PL
Tel: 01799 544014
http://www.nctj.com
81 Leonard Street
London
EC2A 4QS
Tel: 020 7739 6669
http://www.the-aop.org
1 Prebendal Court
Oxford Road
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP19 8EY
Tel: 01296 718530
http://www.bipp.com
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
http://www.skillset.org/careers
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
http://www.skillset.org
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning
adviser, call
0800 100 900 or
use our online
enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at:
www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Assistant photographers may start on around £12,000 a
year.
- Full-time photographers can earn between £18,000 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?
Hours of work can vary and may often include evenings and
weekends. As a self-employed photographer, you would need to be
flexible about when you worked. Part-time work may be possible.
Your working environment could also vary. 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?
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.
Alternatively, you could be employed as an in-house
(‘staff’) photographer for an employer such as a
commercial photographic studio, advertising or PR agency, newspaper
or magazine, large company, hospital or the police.
Competition is extremely strong and you may need to do other
types of work to earn a living when starting out.
Some jobs are advertised on the AOP website and in photography,
advertising and design trade magazines.
You could find freelance work through word of mouth, approaching
magazine picture editors or photo libraries, and listing your
details in professional photography directories.
You may find the following useful for jobs, contacts and further
reading (links open in new window):
photoassist
British Journal
of Photography
Professional
Photographer
Total Image Nation
Design
Week
Creative
Review
Creative Handbook
(directory)
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sites.
