How to Become a Photographer

About Photographer

A career as a Photographer is a blend of technical and artistic acumen. Photography is an art, and it needs a lot of practice and perseverance. Photographers produce images/ pictures that tell a specific story, give an internal message or record an event. With the rapid growth of the advertising and media sectors, employment opportunities in photography witnessed a tremendous boost. 

A career in photography opens up the world to a seeker of natural beauty who wants to exhibit it as it is to the world around oneself. It is a form of art that tranquilizes both the mind and the soul.  Photography as a profession is all about seizing and capturing the right emotion at the right time so that a simple photograph can silently communicate the story behind it. Photography is one of the most sought career choices.  Photography is an artistic way of expression. Photography can be taken as a profession or as a hobby.  Photography is the artistic application and practice of creating images using different electronic tools.

Who is a Photographer?

A photographer is a highly trained expert who captures photos utilizing the camera. To enhance the photograph, various tools can be used. A professional photographer uses the art of photography to earn money. A photographer should be capable of capturing a good photograph of any subject, whether it is scenic beauty, the smile of a cute baby, or the beauty of a human being.  

The major responsibility of Photographers working with various agencies like advertising agencies and magazines is to click the images on different themes. Photographers in different sectors have different motives and aims.

Responsibilities of a Photographer

Here are some of the well-known responsibilities that a Photographer has to perform in his/her job profile.

• Setting up photographic equipment.

• Choosing and setting up locations.

• Taking pictures.

• Promoting the business, especially if a freelance photographer

• Editing and retouching images.

• Reproducing and framing photographs.

• Researching and making contacts.

Eligibility to become Photographer

Check out the eligibility criteria that an individual must satisfy to be a well established Photographer.

Courses to Become a Photographer

Here is the list of popular courses and colleges that an individual can consider to be a renowned and successful photographer. These academic qualifications would not only help in equipping the right kind of skills but also provide an exposure to the candidate.

Photography Skills Required for a Career

To be a professional photographer and have a prosperous career in photography, one must be well versed in the following techniques:

• Master  in Digital Editing Technology
• Good at Software and Technology
• Integrating conceptual and technical elements
• Organizing and comprehending composition
• Employing a variety of cameras, films, and equipment
• Knowledge of terminology
• Creating a photography portfolio

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Types of Job Roles Photographer

Apart from the required qualification, photography needs certain skills. After attaining the necessary skills and training, photographers can fit into various roles and positions that match their skills. The different roles that Photographers can take up are listed below.

• Advertising Photographer: Photographers working in various advertising agencies who take photographs for a particular commercial are called as advertising photographers. Advertising photographers click the photographs we see for various commercial advertisements.

• Event and Concert Photographer: These photographers will have to present at any event like parties, launching of certain products, ceremonies etc. These photographers are responsible for taking photographs of a big concert with thousands of people.

• Photo Journalist: Photographers who cover social issues and send them to various newspapers are called as photojournalists. These journalists can also work as freelancers.

• Wedding Photographer: A photographer who is responsible for taking photographs of wedding occasions are called as wedding photographers. These photographers should have complete knowledge of different cameras and modes of handling a camera.

• Wildlife Photographer: Photographers who are associated with various channels and magazines that cover various aspects of wildlife are called as wildlife photographers. These photographers need to take pictures of different kinds of birds, animals etc.

• Fashion Photographers: Photographers who take photographs of models and catches the beauty of a person in the camera are called as a fashion photographer. These photographers also work in studios and outer locations.

• Aerial Photographers: These photographers take aerial photographs of places, buildings, landscapes, terrains during natural disasters, war, or under similar situations from aircraft in flight for use in news, business, industrial, scientific or military purposes.

• Food Photographers: They click pictures in a studio with an attached kitchen or in hotels for exclusive shots.

• Industrial Photographer: They click photographs of workers on the job, machinery in the industry etc. for use in company publications or for advertising campaigns.

Employment Sector/Industry for Photographer

Photographers can find a variety of jobs in different sectors. They can also start their own studio by proving a varied range of services in photography. Some of the top sectors that hire photographers including the following:

• Newspapers

• Magazines

• Advertising Agencies

• Studios

• Press and Publishing Houses

• NGOs

• Industries and Medical Institutes

• Event Management Organisations

• Freelancers

Top Recruiting Agencies for Photographers

Here is the list of top agencies that recruit professional photographers in India: -

• Vijushah

• Photographers Direct

• Freelance India

• Best Indian Sites

• Click India

Photographers can also start their own studios and agencies by providing a varied range of services in photography.

Pay Scale/Salary of Photographer

There is nothing like senior or junior Photographers. The profession depends upon the skills of a Photographer and his/ her vision. Unlike other professions, it is difficult to compare the salary of Photographers based on the seniority levels. For instance, Wedding Photographers are paid per day or per hour depending on their popularity. The average salary earned by a Photographer is around Rs. 3,66,376 per annum. The range of earnings of photographers in different sectors is elaborated below.

 Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual and company to company. 

Potential Career Paths

Art Director

Aesthetic vision is established by the Art Directors for projects such as marketing campaigns and movie productions. Commercial photographers frequently collaborate with Art Directors on brand advertisements. Art directors must not only have a strong appreciation of art but also project leadership skills.

Videographer

Photographers can also be videographers. Videographers should have the skill of creativity like the photographer. There is a slight difference between the photographer and the videographer. Photographers capture still images on occasions and events, whereas videographers use visual content to capture events as they happen. Videographers must not only be proficient with a variety of video cameras, but they must also have a clear vision for their projects and be able to edit it all together later.

Graphic Artist

Graphic Artists produce designs that are used to promote commercial products or services. Graphic artists typically modify photographs, digital drawings, and text in an aesthetically pleasing manner using software tools. Graphic Artists can draw handsome amounts as their salary.

Fashion photographers

Fashion photographers, like commercial photographers, capture images solely for product promotion. Their primary focus, however, is fashionable clothing. They frequently collaborate with the models in order to project a glamorous image. Fashion Photographers are responsible for the presentation of clothing in advertising campaigns, catalogs, and fashion magazines. These professionals closely collaborate with the designers in order to bring out and to exhibit the desired image of the brand.

Journalistic photographers

Professional journalism photojournalists work for newspapers or magazines, photographing images related to current events. Some travel the world photographing the scenic beauty of nature, and war scenes, and others work for regional newspapers in safe areas. The journalistic photographer is an individual who takes photographs, edits them, and displays them to tell a visual story.

Fine art photographers

Fine art photographers are photographers who capture images intended to elicit emotion or tell a story with a broader social application. These fine art photographers do not work like a commercial, fashion, or journalistic photographers who capture images for revenue purposes. They still sell their work, but only in fine art galleries. In other words, they are not paid to photographic commodities, but their work is valued solely for its compositional and artistic merit.

Books & Study Material to Become Photographer

Here is the list of some of the top photography books for enhancing your skills and knowledge in the field of photography.

• Complete Digital Photography by Ben Long

• Langford’s Basic Photography

• Life Guide to Digital Photography by Joe McNally

• Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson

• The Photographer’s Eye by Michael Freeman

• The Photographer’s Mind by Michel Freeman

Pros of becoming a Photographer

Are you looking forward to a promising career in Photography? Yes, you can make a promising and prosperous career in Photography if you know the pros of this field.  

• A career in photography is creative, and it develops the creative skills of a person.

• A popular and highly skilled photographer is paid more in India. 

• A career in photography liberates the creative mind that will bring name and fame for oneself

• One can have the liberty of working hours or creating a working schedule

• Very good remuneration will be offered if the professional is certified and qualified

• A Photography career makes you stay updated with current fashion and recent trends

Cons of becoming a Photographer

• The first disadvantage of photography is self-promotion. You will not find clients easily. You have to promote yourself to find clients.

• The job market for photographers is very small. Hence, the job you get as a regular photographer comes with a very low salary.

• Photographers are frequently asked to work at odd hours

• Competition in this industry is increasing on a daily basis

Career path for Photographer

Firstly, the photographer needs skills and vision besides mandatory qualification. Several institutes in India offer courses in Photography after Class 12. You can also step into photography through your own talent and skills. However, a complete knowledge of photography is mandatory for the same. It is advisable to take up courses in photography after Class 12 to become professional photographers. The process to become a photographer is elaborated below.

Subjects Combination: Students from any stream in Class 12 are eligible to take up courses in Photography. Some of the top institutes in India conduct an entrance test for the admission to photography courses.