Is Photography the Right Career Choice for You?

Being a professional photographer may seem like the ideal career option if you love taking pictures, but what opportunities are out there and how much are you like to earn? Here is a quick guide to help you decide if it is really the right job for you.

Image Credit

Skills Needed

To succeed you will need a mixture of both creative and technical skills. Social skills are also important, as you are likely to have to work with a wide range of different people, and you will need to be able to communicate effectively to get the results you want.

Tasks Involved

Photography is not just about snapping pictures. You will need to accomplish a whole range of other tasks, from using lighting equipment and scoping out good locations to preparing studios and editing pictures for publication.

Types of Photography Careers

The available options are endless. You could choose to go into journalism or go down a corporate or commercial route. You could decide to become a wedding photographer or opt to specialise in portrait, documentary or fashion work. Or perhaps work in special events. You can developing close working relationships with venues such as a Gloucestershire Hotel Wedding Venue like www.hatton-court.co.uk/gloucester-cotswolds-weddings and if you can prove yourself and the quality of your work you may end up on a list of their preferred suppliers.

What Can You Earn?

Most photographers are freelancers, and so salaries vary hugely depending the project size and the photographer’s level of skills. On average, you could expect to earn between around £100 to £150 a day in a photographic assistant role or £50,000 plus if you become a successful full-time photographer. Hit the higher echelons of celebrity, portrait or fashion, and the financial rewards could be much, much higher.

Qualifications

Whilst not strictly necessary, qualifications can give you the broad range of skills needed to forge a successful career. They can also set you apart from the competition if you decide to go for a staff job. There is a wide range of courses on offer, both part-time and full-time, including BTEC HNDs, City & Guilds certificates and degrees.

Sources of Information

The British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) offers it’s own highly respected Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) and also runs a mentoring system for new photographers. Find more information on the BIPP website at bipp.com. If you are considering a career in journalism, you may need a qualification from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). The available training choices can be found on its website at nctj.com.

Is It the Career for You?

The photographic industry can provide a massive range of career options and can be a great choice for people with a passion for taking photographs. It is important to remember, however, that it can be far from a glamorous profession.  Even the highest-paid professionals can spend hours waiting for their subject to arrive (not getting paid while they wait) or handling media scrums that would make heavyweight boxers think twice before getting stuck in.