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Photos are very special as they give us memories of time and places and events in our lives. We can hold onto these memories forever with a photograph. In this post, we are going to find out the full details of the career path of the photographer, including career scope, salary, qualification, skill, etc.
If you want to be happy, you need to pursue your dreams and find your passion. But, It takes guts to make a career out of your passion. if you believe in yourself and ready to give your full strength, you might consider a career as a professional photographer.
The demand of photographer is increasing rapidly in different creative industries like the fashion, food, entertainment, hospitality, travel, and media sectors. Books, magazines, newspapers, calendars, cards, and websites all need quality images. Having an area of expertise will help build your authority.
Let us look into the career prospects of a photographer:
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Types of photography career
There are a number of different areas you could choose to work in as a photographer:
- Forensic Photography – Captures the initial appearance of the crime scene and physical evidence.
- Sports Photography – Takes pictures at a sports event.
- Wildlife Photography – Take pictures of wild animals and natural scenery.
- Travel Photography – Takes pictures of tourist attractions, destinations, hotels, and resorts, etc.
- Photojournalist –Takes pictures for news articles and magazines.
- Wedding Photography – Take pictures of weddings and other events.
- Portrait Photographer – Take pictures of people.
- Fashion photographer – Take pictures at fashion events.
- Nature photography – Capture natural sceneries like landscapes, seascapes and etc.
Required Skills for photographers
To build a successful career in photography you will require the following skills and attributes:
- Artistic skill
- Creative thinker
- Good customer service skills
- Superior technical skills and an aesthetic eye for high-quality compositions.
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- To be able to use a computer and the software packages competently
- Confidence in your ability
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- Motivation and persistence to meet one’s goals.
Reasons to consider this career
- You can start your own business.
- It gives you tremendous opportunities to learn new things regularly.
- You make good money as well.
- Flexible working hours.
- You can work locally as well as internationally.
- You work with recent technology and can apply your special skills.
How to become a professional photographer?
To become a photographer you do not necessarily need any formal training, but it is essential to have a good instinct, creativity, and technical expertise.
Becoming a professional photographer is not as easy as it looks, it takes precise training, study and most importantly years of practice. Professional photographers are experts of advanced techniques and skills including focus, color, composition, lighting, exposure, and depth – of – field, etc.
Trained photographers need to know their camera and its basic features; different camera lenses, memory cards, shutter speeds, f – stops, focal planes, depth of field settings, etc., all of which may seem slightly sluggish but very necessary to create great photos. They must also have a thorough knowledge of lighting techniques and color theory, which are very necessary to frame a good photo.
Above all nowadays, understanding of different software to modify, upgrade or edit a photo is highly required such as Adobe Photoshop CC, Affinity Photo, Pixlr, Lightroom, Photo Plus, etc.
You can get into this job by following:
University degree – you can study full-time graduation or master degree in photography. These courses are a great way to build up your portfolio and take your career to the next level.
Diploma courses – You could take 1 year or 6 months Diploma courses in Photography, which may help you to find a job as a photographer’s assistant in a studio.
Assistant/Apprentice – You can start as an assistant to a photographer and improve your skills. Specializing in one type of photography, such as fashion, advertising, wildlife, or photojournalism is highly recommended.
However, the majority of training mainly focuses on personal development, learning technologies and building up an individual portfolio which stands out from the rest of the competition.
Photography career scope
In today’s digital world, there are numerous career opportunities for a photographer. You can start a career as an assistant photographer and could gain experience over time. You will also have the opportunity to develop a portfolio and to meet other photographers and stylists.
In the Photography profession, there are lots of self-employment and freelance work. So, Networking is important to boost your reputation and expand your client base. You could also start as a portrait photographer in social events, like school functions or weddings. Photojournalism is one of the trendy career options if you are interested in storytelling and mass communications. After gaining exposure, you may set up your own business as well.
If you are passionate about photography and hold a diploma/degree, then career possibilities are endless. It is advisable to prepare a relevant portfolio, which can be used to highlight your abilities.
Photographer salary
Many photographers work freelance so their earnings are linked to what they are able to charge and how much work they do. According to payscale average salary of a photographer in India is around 3.5 lakh per annum.
Best Photography institutes in India
The following is a list of the Best Photography Training Providers in India. I will keep updating the list from time to time. Kindly, do your own personal research about placement and facilities before you enroll in any one of them. Listing below is not based on any ranking.
Light & Life Academy, Ooty
Light & Life Academy is a not-for-profit education trust, set up in Ooty, India, with the initial support of Kodak India & Eastman Kodak, the USA in the year 2001.
It is the first custom designed, completely equipped facility in India set up exclusively for professional photographic instruction.
Courses offered in Photography:
PG diploma in professional photography
Diploma in travel & nature photography
Custom-designed Courses
Eligibility:
Candidate should be graduate in any discipline. Or having work experience with 12 years of formal education. Age should be minimum of 20 years.
Official Website: https://llacademy.org/
Pixel Institute of Photography
Pixel is a well equipped and trustworthy training institute in the country, conducting Certificate and Diploma courses in the latest Digital Photography.
Courses offered in Photography:
2 Months, 4 Months & One Year Diploma Program for Professional Photographers
Eligibility:
Minimum education qualification is a middle/high school certification. Minimum age – 15 years
Official Website: pixelphotography.info/
Asian Academy of Film and television
AAFT School of Photography offers a Degree as well as Diploma Courses for students who hold a keen interest in Photography and wish to make a career in this field.
Courses offered in Photography:
BA in photography
MA in photography
Diploma/PG diploma in photography (1 year)
Short term courses (3 months) in photography
Camera and lighting techniques (1 year and 3 months)
Eligibility:
For Bachelor, programs candidates should have passed higher secondary (10+2) from any recognized Board.
Master programs: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline OR Diploma in the related field of study.
Official Website: http://aaft.com/
Sir JJ Institute of applied arts
Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art is an Indian applied art institution based in Mumbai. It is a state government college that was created through its sister school, the Sir J. J. School of Art.
Courses offered in Photography:
Degree Course of Bachelor of Fine Arts (4 years)
Post Graduate Course in Master of Fine Arts (2 years)
Apprentice Training Course (1 year)
Official Website: http://jjiaa.org/home.htm
Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University
The “Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University” is an architecture and fine arts university located at Masab Tank, Hyderabad, Telangana, India JNAFAU has two colleges which offer several undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. research programs.
Courses offered in Photography:
Bachelor of Fine Arts, in Photography (4 years)
Master of Fine Arts Photography (2 years)
Official Website: https://www.jnafau.ac.in/
The Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation, Kolkata
IIDAA was founded in the year 2008 and it is affiliated to West Bengal State Council of Technical Education, Government of West Bengal. It offers various courses in the field of Art, Design, Animation, Photography and Motion Photography.
Courses offered in Photography:
B.Sc. Film & Photography (3 years)
Diploma in Film & Photography (1 year)
PG Diploma Film & Photography (1 month)
Eligibility:
10+2 in any stream.
Official Website: http://iidaaindia.com/
Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC), New Delhi
Established in 2002, it is accredited from AICTE. The center offers a long term program for graduate students and several shorter certificate programs for students who have completed their primary and secondary education.
Courses offered in Photography:
Photography Diploma Course (16 Months)
Photography Foundation Course (2 Months)
Eligibility:
At least 12 years of formal education from any stream.
Official Website: https://www.sac.ac.in/
Delhi College of Photography, Delhi
Delhi College of Photography is located in Kingsway Camp, close to the North Campus of Delhi University (DU). The college provides courses in photography, make-up and film making.
Courses offered in Photography:
Basic and Advanced Courses in photography
Foundation Course/1 year Diploma
Wildlife Photography
Candid Wedding Photography
Fashion Photography
Workshops
Official Website: http://www.dcop.in/
A.J. Kidwai Mass Communication Research Center, Delhi
Founded in 1982, the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre is a premier media institution in India. the MCRC offers graduate and post-graduate courses in the art, craft, and technology of the modern media.
Courses offered in Photography:
PG Diploma in Still Photography & Visual Communication (1 year)
Eligibility:
Graduation in any discipline (10+2+3) with not less than 50 % marks in aggregate.
Official Website: https://www.jmi.ac.in/aboutjamia/centres/mcrc/introduction
The One School Goa
The One School Goa was launched in July 2013. It is an interdisciplinary creative school for the entertainment, media and the edutainment industry
Courses offered in Photography:
1 Year Professional Photography Program
3 Year Integrated Photography Program
Official Website: https://goa.theone.sc