World Photography Day!!!Photography as a Career Option

by Sona Kadam, Youthens · 19/08/2016

Are you the one of those people who’s famous for snapping pictures at parties or who enjoys capturing various shades of life through a lens? If you want to earn a living using your creative side but need more information, then you’ve landed at the right page.

#CAREER OPTIONS

Photographers use cameras to capture an image. They can work in many different areas and often choose an area to specialize in. Photographers may work for a company, but many freelance. Below are given some of the fields of photography.

Photojournalism

It’s a part of journalism in which images are used to tell news stories. It requires promptness and instinct to generate ideas to make a news story from pictures. You can create a news story from pictures taken during a war or riots in the city/country. Photojournalists should be prepared to take risks like going to war zones, disaster zones etc.

Fashion PhotographyFashion Photography is the field where one works for fashion houses, designers or individual models. To be a part of this glamorous world, you must have knowledge about latest fashion trends and you should be willing to be experimental and creative.

Still photographyThis involves the capturing of inanimate natural or man-made objects. Portrait photography is one example of this, where you can capture pictures of children, pets etc. You can run your own studio or work for someone. Capturing pictures for cookbooks is another good opportunity.

Forensic PhotographyForensic Photographers click photographs at crime scenes from all possible angles with great emphasis on details in order to help the police or detective agencies.

Wild Life PhotographyWildlife photography is a type of photography that focuses on taking photographs of wildlife, or non-domesticated animals.

#SALARYInitially, it’s bit hard to make a living in this field but if you’re extremely creative and prepared to put in the hard work along with getting equipped with good business skills, it could become a rewarding profession for you.

An assistant working with a senior photographer can earn between Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,500 per month. You can also take up some freelancing jobs and then later work as a full time professional which could fetch you anything from Rs 25,000 to 40,000 a month. Some fields such as fashion photography are even more lucrative if you’re an expert in the field.

In case you’re self-employed, you can earn from 10,000 to 50,000 a day depending on the kind of assignments you get. For example, you can make huge money if you are a wedding photographer and get a big assignment.

Your salary varies based on the place you’re working in and the creativity you bring to your work along with your experience in the field.

# ELIGIBILITYThere are no specific academic requirements for full time courses in photography, however, candidates who have cleared the 10+2 exam are eligible for the diploma/certificate courses in photography.

#PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLSThe critical skill required of a photographer is the ability to take a fabulous photo. This involves knowing your camera, understanding lighting and developing an eye for choosing the right angle. Photography training is available in vocational schools and colleges, with bachelor’s degrees offered in photojournalism and commercial photography. However, many professional photographers learn by attending workshops, taking lessons from another photographer and even studying online tutorials.