Photographer

Entry Requirements:

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:

• 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

College

You could take a college course in photography. This might help you to find a job as a photographer's assistant in a studio.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship to get into this role, for example, a Photographer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship takes around 1 year and 6 months to complete, and is a mix of training in the workplace and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• 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
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to sell products and services
• active listening skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• concentration skills
• the ability to read English
• a desire to help people
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

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

As a photographer, you could:

• discuss a project with the client and agree the 'brief'
• find and prepare locations for the photo session
• set up equipment and lighting, and take photographs
• edit and process images, using industry software
• check colour match accuracy and image quality
• select the best images for the client to use online or in print

Location : You could work in a creative studio.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand

Career Path:

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.