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Do you like to photograph every moment of your life? Do you enjoy travelling and seeing the world through the eyes of an artist? If you answered yes, you have a good chance of becoming a photographer because the most successful photographers share your sentiments. “My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport,” famous American photographer Steve McCurry once said.

Photography is an art form that necessitates a lot of practice and perseverance. Photographers create images that tell a story, communicate an internal message, or document an event. A career as a photographer necessitates technical as well as artistic abilities.

Do you aspire to be a Photographer or are you just exploring the field? In either case, you’ve arrived at the right place! This blog discusses the career as a Photographer, the necessary skills, courses, salary, and other requirements for becoming a Photographer. To become a Photographer, follow the blog’s detailed guide.

What does a Photographer do?

Photography is a highly competitive field that requires talent, skills, marketing savvy, and discipline to make a name for yourself as a professional photographer. Professional photographers must not only be talented to be successful; they must also have the tenacity to work long hours, compete fiercely due to supply-demand imbalances, and manage their business as an entrepreneur. The nature of the job and other responsibilities are as follows:

  • Collaborating with clients to develop the vision and angle for the photo shoot
  • Setting up and shooting photos in a studio or capturing photographs on location
  • Choosing and assembling equipment and background properties based on subjects, materials, and conditions
  • Selecting the appropriate equipment and settings for each subject
  • Taking photographs with traditional or digital cameras and various accessories such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments
  • Aperture, shutter speed, and camera focus are adjusted based on a variety of factors such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
  • Using digital photo editing software to review and enhance photographs.

Job Roles of a Photographer

There are numerous photography genres in which one can specialise. The following are various types of photographers.

Wedding Photographer:

  • Professional wedding photographers are hired to capture a couple’s irreplaceable moments during the wedding ceremony and reception by taking creative, candid, and beautiful photographs.

Fashion Photographer:

  • Fashion photographers are in charge of photographing clothing, accessories, and models, as well as working with hair stylists, fashion stylists, makeup artists, and fashion designers.

Real Estate Photographer:

  • Real estate is a highly competitive industry filled with ambitious agents looking for their next sale.
  • However, because the photos are only temporary and, for the most part, have little sentimental value, the photographer can focus on producing a high-quality product that can be replicated from one photo shoot to the next.

Travel Photographer:

  • Travel photography entails capturing images that depict a location’s people, culture, customs, landscape, and history.

Photojournalist:

  • A photojournalist takes photographs, edits them, and displays them to tell a visual story.
  • They are journalists who are adept at interpreting and communicating an event through photographs.

Architectural Photographer:

  • An architectural photographer photographs buildings and structures in order to portray them as accurately as possible.

Food Photographer:

  • Food photography is a subset of still life photography, which is used in cookbooks, blogs, magazines, social media, advertisements, and packaging.

Sports Photographer:

  • A sports photographer focuses on photographing athletes and sporting events.
  • Sports photographers usually have VIP access to major events, giving them the best view of the action.

Some other job roles are Newborn Photographer, Portrait Photographer, Landscape Photographer, Aerial Photographer, etc.

The career path of a Photographer

Although there are many paths to starting your career as a Photographer, here are the ideal ones.

  • Path 1: Select any stream after 10th ➜ Pursue certification courses in photography ➜ Become a Photographer
  • Path 2: Select any stream after 10th ➜ Pursue diploma courses after 12th ➜ Become a Photographer
  • Path 3: Select any stream after 10th ➜ Complete a bachelor’s degree in a photography-related field after 12th ➜ Become a Photographer

You must have both technical and creative abilities to become a great photographer. Colours, images, lighting, and other design elements must pique your interest and knowledge.

Students who have completed class 10 in India are eligible to enrol in a variety of certification and diploma programmes. These classes cover photography, angles, and lighting, as well as technical knowledge of tools like cameras and a grasp of fine arts.

Check out the ‘How to Become a Photographer?‘ blog for a step-by-step guide to becoming a Photographer!

Salary in different stages of a career as a Photographer

  • An entry-level Photographer with less than one year of experience can expect to earn a ₹304,283 annual average salary (tips, bonus, and overtime pay included).
  • A Photographer in their early career with 1-4 years of experience earns an annual average salary of ₹354,930.
  • A Photographer in their mid-career with 5-9 years of experience earns an annual average salary of ₹487,534.
  • A Photographer with 10-19 years of experience earns an annual salary of ₹500,198.

Skills Required to become a Photographer

To succeed in their careers, Photographers must have diverse skills. Here are some Photographer skills to work on, list on your resume, and explain during job interviews:

  • Technical skills: Highly skilled photographers learn to balance the artistic and technical aspects of working behind the camera. For a perfect photo and to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to use both aspects simultaneously.
  • Artistic skills: To succeed as a photographer, you must be artistic or creative. You must understand composition and exposure control, which means understanding how the placement or arrangement of visual elements, as well as the lightness and darkness of an image, affect overall photographic quality.
  • Communication skills: Communication is essential when developing and maintaining relationships with potential clients. Beyond the ability to strike up a conversation, it is your ability to truly listen to and empathise with others that will set you apart in the photography industry.
  • Close attention to detail: It is common for photographers to edit photos in order to maintain high quality and remove flaws.
  • Adaptability: Photographers may work long days, nights, or weekends, in varying outdoor climates or weather conditions, in difficult situations, or under strict deadlines. As a photographer, you may find it useful to adapt to various work environments and deadlines.

Is a Photographer a good career option?

The job outlook for photographers is expected to grow 17% through 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 Occupational Outlook Handbook. Many job openings are expected to result from workers who change occupations, leave the profession, or retire.

With the growth of the advertising, media, and fashion industries, photography has evolved from a pastime to a lucrative career option for people of all ages, particularly young people.

According to compensation data, the estimated salary potential for a Photographer will rise by 42% over the next five years.

Types of industries hiring Photographers

Photographers work in a variety of settings, including photographic studios and newspaper publishing companies, and they specialise in scientific and aerial photography. Some photographers work in the field, while others work in a studio. While some photographers work full-time, many work part-time, and their workload varies by season.

Here are a few job sectors for photographers:

  • NGOs
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Studios
  • Freelancers
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Press and Publishing Houses
  • Industries and Medical Institutes
  • Event Management Organisations

Top Recruiters for Photographers

The companies listed below are some of the best for aspiring photographers.

  • WorldWide Photography
  • Getty Images
  • Mom365
  • Classic Photographers
  • CYS Group (WA)
  • Lifetouch
  • OCUS
  • Bella Baby Photography
  • Photogenic
  • Collage.com

Courses to upskill as a Photographer

The following certification courses will help you improve your photography skills.

  • Beginner Nikon Digital SLR (DSLR) Photography
  • Fashion and Glamour Photography
  • iPhone & Android Photography Course
  • Photography Techniques: Light, Content, and Sharing
  • Diploma in Photography
  • Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography
  • Introduction to Digital Photography
  • Fundamentals of Digital Image and Video Processing
  • How To Be a Pretty Professional Outdoor and Nature Photographer
  • Online Photography Classes
  • FREE Introductory Photography Course
  • Digital Photography
  • Photography Course Online
  • Photography Composition & Portrait Photography Masterclass
  • Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization
  • Camera, Exposure and photography
  • Seeing Through Photographs

    Clever Harvey offers a JuniorMBA in Design&Branding program which helps gain industry experience and skills.

Qualifications to become Photographer

  • Diploma or bachelor’s degree: The best way to become a professional photographer after 12th is to pursue a bachelor’s degree, diploma, or certificate in this field. A photography degree or diploma programme will teach you the skills, expertise, and knowledge needed to become a professional photographer.
  • Internships: Internships provide students with the opportunity to participate in photographic workshops and fieldwork in order to learn about the technical, creative, and logistical aspects of photography in the studio and on location.

Degrees in India

UG courses:

  • BA Photography: A bachelor’s degree in photography is a three-year undergraduate programme. Various institutes that offer this programme provide it in a full-time format. After completing the programme, aspiring candidates may find work as various photographers depending on their specialisations.
  • BA Visual Arts and Photography: A Bachelor of Science in Mathematics is a three-year undergraduate degree programme that focuses on developing mathematical skills and knowledge in algebra, integral calculus and trigonometry, advanced calculus, vector analysis and geometry, mathematical methods, and so on.
  • BFA Photography: BFA Photography, also known as Bachelor of Fine Arts Photography, is an undergraduate study field that lasts 3-4 years.
  • BFA Photography and Visual Communication: The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography and Visual Communication is a four-year full-time undergraduate programme that includes courses in photography, such as fine art, professional photography, photojournalism, computer graphics and multimedia, and professional videography.
  • B.Sc. in Photography and Cinematography: This three-year undergrad programme prepares students to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the creation and production of films and videos. Film theory, film technology and equipment operation, film production, film directing, film editing, cinematographic art, film audio, techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos, the use of computer applications to record or enhance images, audio, or effects, and the planning and management of film/video operations are all covered.

PG courses:

CourseDuration
MFA in Photography2 years
M.A. in Photography2 years

Degrees Abroad

  • UG degree: Photography can be studied as a standalone degree in some countries, such as the United Kingdom; however, in the United States, you are more likely to major in photography as part of a liberal arts bachelor’s degree; this becomes the primary focus of your degree alongside a general education in the arts and humanities.
  • Entrance exams: Students must take important international entrance exams such as the SAT, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS, and TOEFL. Clearing these exams is required for admission to universities and colleges in various countries around the world. Clever Harvey’s step-by-step guide to the SAT entrance exam will provide you with all of the necessary information for the SAT exam. Check it out for yourself!

References for Photographer

The world's first photograph, titled 'View from the Window at Le Gras,' taken by the scientist Nicéphore Niépce.
This is the very first photograph ever taken by the scientist Nicéphore Niépce. [Source]

If you’ve reached this point in the blog, it can only mean one thing: you like photographers and want to be one someday. A few Instagram accounts from photographers are included as a bonus. Have a look at them and have fun exploring more!

  • @thiswildidea
  • @mikekus
  • @macenzo
  • @janske
  • @asasjostromphotography
  • @daveyoder
  • @danrubin
  • @darrelljoness
  • @brahmino
  • @witchoria

Even seasoned professionals find new ways to push themselves when it comes to photography. Keep looking for ways to improve your skills, whether it’s learning new business skills or taking on unique photography projects. Best wishes on your career as a photographer, and happy clicking!

FAQs

Is photography good for career?

Ans: Yes, if you know the pros of the field, you can make a promising and prosperous career in photography. A career in photography is creative and helps to develop a person’s creative skills. In India, a well-known and skilled photographer is paid more.

Which career is best for photography?

Ans: Consider the following types of photography jobs if you want to pursue a career as a photographer:
1. Photojournalist
2. Freelance photographer
3. Photo editor
4. Commercial photographer
5. Scientific photographer
6. Wedding photographer
7. Event photographer
8. Portrait photographer

What is the highest paid photography job?

Ans: Some of the highest-paying photography jobs in the world are listed below:
1. Film Set Photographer
2. White House Photographer
3. Medical Photographer
4. Product Photographer
5. Wedding Photographer
6. Social Media Photographer and Influencer
7. Fine Art Photographer

How can I make a career in photography?

Ans: To begin your career as a photographer, follow the steps outlined below.
1. Enroll in a Course
2. Learn the Fundamentals
3. Take part in competitions/internships
4. Create a Niche for Yourself
5. Make a portfolio, a blog, or a website.

Do photographers pay well?

Ans: An average photographer can earn between ₹80,000 and ₹1 lakh per month if they are good.

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