Photography as a career
By: Ishika Gaba
Tags: Cameras, Job Hunting, Career Advice, Photography, Careers

Photography is one of those fields that often start as a hobby, and eventually turns into a full-fledged career. This field of photography had, traditionally, been restricted to events, weddings, and movies; but in the recent years, the boom of e-commerce, advertising, mass media, and related fields has created a large demand for professional photographers.

The hectic life schedule that people follow these days is difficult to keep up with. All of us have become highly dependent on various websites for clothing, cosmetics, food, etc. And this has led to a huge demand of good photographers in the commercial field, such as fashion photography and food photography. There are other fields as well, such as sports photography, wildlife photography, wildlife photography, pet photography and many more which I have explained in my previous blogs in detail that have gained popularity. To know more about types of photography click here.

These days, photography is fast emerging as a popular career choice among all the age groups. Photography is both a science and an art. It is an artistic means of expression, the camera replacing the pen or the paintbrush.

A photographer must be able to create a good composition of any subject, a piece of machinery, the beauty of human body, scenery or a child’s smile.

It is rightly said that a single picture can sometimes be much more eloquent that a thousand words. This subject requires a natural instinct, observation power, training, a great degree of discipline, practice and an eye for detail apart from an intelligent, curious and perspective mind. A photographer must have the ability to intermingle the details with his creative ability so as to catch a picture well in his camera.

A modern day photographer can work in many avatars. Here is the list of popular courses that an individual can consider to be a renowned and successful photographer. These academic qualifications would not only hep in equipping the right kind of skills but also provide an exposure to their candidate.

· Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts and Photography)

· Diploma in Photography

· B.A. (hons) Communication Design- Photography

· Professional Certificates in Wedding & Events Photography (EEMA)

· Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography and Digital Imaging

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.

Several institutes in India offer courses in Photography after Class 12. One can 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.

No matter how passionate you are about this career and the booming industry, one thing that every aspirant must know is that the field is highly competitive. The work routine on atypical day depends upon the type of photography that one specializes. While some individuals begin their career on a freelance basis, others work for studios, media companies, magazines, newspapers, ad agencies, publishing houses, etc.

No matter the kind of employment, Photography is a demanding field and often involves long hours of work- be it indoor or outdoor. The job is also often stressful as employers of the clients has specific demands.

In order to make a name for themselves in Photography, it can take years for Photographers considering the high competition in the field. However, specialization in a particular type of photography or excelling the job can make one stand out in a crowd and push them towards creating a name for themselves.

The salary or earning in the field of photography depends upon the experience one has and one’s portfolio. There is no particular field that ensures high packages or earnings.

The average salary or earning of a photographer in India is Rs. 3.5 lakh to 13 lakhs, based on the individual’s field, experience and type of clientele. Some roles such as Editing, Photojournalism, Wildlife Photography, Film Production Jobs and Product photography are high paying among the rest.

If you are yet to take the professional plunge, you don’t have to spend a fortune buying an expensive camera. Begin with a point-and-shoot or a mobile camera, and later shift to a DSLR, once you are sure of your talents and passion for the field.