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Photographer

Alternative titles for this job include

Photographers take and process pictures of people, places, products and events.

Average salary (a year)

£17,250 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a photographer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • photography
  • visual arts
  • commercial photography
  • art and design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could take a college course such as:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Photography
  • A Level Photography
  • Level 3 Diploma in Photography

These may help you to find a job as a photographer's assistant in a studio.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and a creative subject

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could gain some of the skills and knowledge for this role on a Photographic assistant advanced apprenticeship, following the assistant photographer pathway.

This apprenticeship typically takes 18 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a photographer's assistant and work your way up. It's normal to specialise in one kind of photography, like fashion, advertising, wildlife or photojournalism.

More Information

Career tips

You'll need a portfolio of your work to show your skills, interests and experience in photography. It'll also help you to get noticed if you post examples of your work online.

Professional and industry bodies

The Association of Photographers offers membership for anyone with an interest in professional photography.

You can also apply to join the British Institute of Professional Photography.

Further information

You can get more details on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your daily tasks you may:

  • discuss a project with the client and agree the 'brief'
  • find and prepare the location for the photo session
  • choose the right equipment and set up lighting
  • compose and take photos
  • use industry software to edit and process images
  • check accurate colour match and image quality
  • choose the best images for the client to use online or in print
  • promote and run your business

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

Many photographers are freelance and you could do a mix of contract work and following your own interests.

You could extend your range into other areas of photography like product, property, aerial or corporate work.

Specialist photographers

With training, you could work as a press or police photographer.

There are opportunities for photographers in the armed forces. You can find out more about being a Royal Air Force photographer.

If you do specialist qualifications, you could find jobs in medical photography or illustration.

Starting your own business

You may decide to become self-employed and set up your own business.

Photography is very competitive, so you'll need creativity and technical skills to make money. You'll also need finance for equipment, a space to work in and some business and admin skills.

You could increase your income by selling your images independently.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Graphic Designer Apprentice

  • Wage: £7,503.60 Annually
  • Location: Not known
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Photography

  • Provider: ALLERTON GRANGE SCHOOL
  • Start date: 03 September 2023
  • Location: Leeds

Diploma in Photography

  • Provider: HALESOWEN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2023
  • Location: Halesowen
Find courses near you

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