Do you enjoy capturing every moment of your life? Do you like to travel and see the world through an artist’s eyes? If you answered yes, you could easily become a photographer because the most successful photographers feel the same way. The famous American photographer Steve McCurry once said, “My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.”
Photography is an art form that requires a great deal of practice and perseverance. Photographers create images/pictures that tell a story, convey an internal message, or document an event. A career as a photographer requires both technical and artistic skills.
Do you aspire to be a photographer or are you just exploring the field? In either case, you’ve come to the right place! This blog discusses the skills required, colleges and courses, salary, and what else it takes to become a photographer. Follow the step-by-step guide about how to become a photographer.
A photographer is a professional artist who creates artistic or commercial-quality images with digital or film cameras for a variety of purposes.
Learn more: How to become a wildlife photographer
Photography courses are available regardless of whether you choose the Science, Arts, or Commerce streams.
The certification courses listed below can help you become a photographer.
Candidates must have completed their 12th in any stream. A degree, diploma, or certificate in photography courses is a plus. Academic qualifications are less important than skills.
How to become a photographer after 10th?
To become a great photographer, you must have both technical and creative abilities. Colours, images, lighting, and other elements must pique your interest and expertise. Students in India who have completed class 10 are eligible to enrol in the courses listed below. The courses cover photography, angles, and lighting, as well as technical knowledge of tools like cameras and an understanding of fine arts.
| Course | Duration | Fees |
| ITI Digital Photography | 3 years | Upto ₹1,00,000 |
| Diploma courses in Photography | 1-2 years | ₹65,000 to ₹5,00,000 |
| Certificate courses | 1 -12 months | ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 |
| Name of Institution | Location |
| Government Industrial Training Institute | Pune |
| Advanced Training Institute | Ludhiana |
| MIT-WPU | Pune |
| Le Mark School of Art | Mumbai |
| AAFT | Delhi |
| Morph Academy | Chandigarh |
| Pixel Institute of Photography | New Delhi |
| Advanced Training Institute | Kolkata |
| Institute for Photography Excellence | Gujarat |
How to become a photographer after 12th?
After 12th, the best way to become a professional photographer is to pursue a degree, diploma, or certificate in this field. A photography degree or diploma course teaches you skills, expertise, and knowledge that will help you become a professional photographer.
| Course | Duration |
| Diploma in Advertising and Commercial Photography | 1-2 years |
| Diploma in Digital Photography | 1-2 years |
| Diploma in Photography and Cinematography | 1-2 years |
| Diploma in Fashion Photography | 1-2 years |
| PG Diploma in Photography | 1-2 years |
| Diploma in Photography and Digital Imaging | 1-2 years |
| Diploma in Digital Cinematography | 1-2 years |
| Diploma in Professional Photojournalism | 1-2 years |
| Professional Diploma in Art of Photography | 1 year |
| Professional Diploma in Wildlife Photography | 1 year |
| Professional Diploma in Travel Photography | 1 year |
| Professional Diploma in Photojournalism | 1 year |
| Professional Diploma in Product Photography | 1 year |
| Professional Diploma in Architecture Photography | 1 year |
| Name of Institution | Location |
| Creative Hut Institute Of Photography | Kerala |
| Delhi College of Photography | Delhi |
| National Institute of Photography, Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| Light and Life Academy | Tamil Nadu |
| YMCA Centre of Mass Media | Delhi |
| Jaipur National University | Rajasthan |
| Allahabad University – University of Allahabad | Uttar Pradesh |
| Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth | Maharashtra |
| RIMT University | Punjab |
| Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication | Delhi |
| Course | Duration |
| BA Photography | 3 years |
| BA Visual Arts and Photography | 3 years |
| BFA Photography | 3-4 years |
| BFA Photography and Visual Communication | 4 years |
| B.Sc. Photography and Video Visual Production | 3 years |
| B.Sc. in Photography and Cinematography | 3 years |
| B.Voc Photography and Videography | 3 years |
| B.Voc DIP Photography and Videography | 3 years |
| BA Multimedia and Forensic Photography | 3 years |
| B.Voc Photography and Animation | 3 years |
| Name of Institution | Location |
| Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation | West Bengal |
| Osmania University | Telangana |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University | Telangana |
| Asian Academy of Film and Television | Uttar Pradesh |
| ICAT Design and Media College | Tamil Nadu |
| Dr Annasaheb GD Bendale Mahila Mahavidyalaya | Maharashtra |
| Vivekanand College | Maharashtra |
| Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism | Maharashtra |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Arts and Science | Kerala |
| NS Patel Arts College | Gujarat |
Also read: How to become a Videographer
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, you can study photography as a standalone degree; 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 main focus of your degree alongside a general education in the arts and humanities.
| Course | Duration |
| Fundamentals of Digital Photography | 3 years |
| Professional Photography | 3 years |
| BA in Photography | 3-4 years |
| Bachelor of Photography | 3 years |
| BFA in Photography | 3 years |
| Bachelor of Arts degree in Photography | 3 years |
| Name of Institution | Location |
| The New York Institute of Photography | United States |
| Vevey School of Photography | Switzerland |
| Spéos International Photography School | France |
| Photography Studies College | Australia |
| Rodchenko School of Photography and Multi-Media | Russia |
| Parsons School of Design | United States |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | United States |
| Istituto Europeo di Design | Italy |
| Tokyo Zokei University | Japan |
| Accademia Italiana | Italy |
An entry-level photographer with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an annual compensation (tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of ₹3,04,283.
The following are some entry-level photographer salaries from around the world.
| Country | Annual Salary |
| United States | $43,905 |
| United Kingdom | £26,583 |
| Canada | $49,068 (CAD) |
| Australia | $60,686 (AUD) |
| Norway | KR 390,700 |
If you’ve arrived at this point in the blog, it can only mean one thing: you like photographers and may one day become one yourself! As a bonus, a few Instagram accounts of a few photographers are included here. Check them out and have fun exploring more!
Photography is a never-ending learning experience; even seasoned professionals find new ways to push themselves. Whether it’s learning new business skills or taking on unique photography projects, keep looking for ways to improve your abilities. Best wishes on your photographic journey, and happy clicking!
Ans: To begin your career as a photographer, follow the steps below:
1. Find your inspiration
2. Get a good camera
3. Learn and develop your photography skills
4. Learn photo editing
5. Find a mentor
6. Experiment with different types of photography
7. Attend workshops
Ans: There are no specific educational requirements for becoming a professional photographer. The majority of photographers are self-taught, though some have degrees in film, visual art, or design. Photojournalists frequently have journalism degrees or significant field experience.
Ans: A good photographer can earn between 80,000 and 1 lakh per month.
Ans: The future of photography is brilliant! Photography is a thriving industry that is not going away anytime soon. If you want to work as a professional photographer in India, now is the time!
Ans: Without some background knowledge, it can be difficult to understand all of the photography-related terms and concepts, which can slow your learning curve. With some research into articles, tutorials, videos, and hands-on shooting, you’ll soon have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of photography.
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