What Quals do You Need to Become a Photographer?

There are few careers out there that you can enter without attaining certain qualifications, and photography is one of them.

True, if you have got a keen eye for detail, great composition skills, and a steady hand, you can begin experimenting with photography and possibly offer your skills to friends and family. However, if you want to become a professional photographer and take pictures at weddings, fashion shows, newspapers, and commercial events, there is often an expectation that you will possess certain qualifications, a strong portfolio, and a professional approach to your work.

Thinking about studying photography?
Explore our Photography Diploma

Bearing that in mind, we shall use the following article to help you learn how to become a photographer, and ensure that you have got the right qualifications, experience, and industry knowledge under your belt.

Table of Contents

• What is a professional photographer?
• What do professional photographers do?
• Types of photography
• Day in the life of a professional photographer
• What can you do to keep your days structured and organised?
• Your responsibilities
• How much do photographers earn?
• How to become a photographer
• Conclusion

What is a professional photographer?

There’s no legal definition of what makes someone a “professional photographer” in the UK. According to the National Careers Service, professional status is generally based on whether you earn money through your photography work, the quality of your portfolio, and your experience — rather than a fixed percentage of your income.

Many professional photographers also supplement their income through related work such as editing, retouching, printing, content creation, or teaching. Others may volunteer their skills for charitable projects or personal causes.

In essence, if you regularly get paid for your photography or associated services and operate with professionalism — from contracts and client management to technical skill — you can confidently describe yourself as a professional photographer.

What do professional photographers do?

The truth is, we all dabble with photography. Give yourself a party or outing filled with family and friends, and you’ll soon have your camera out.

The professional distinction arises more from the types of photographs you take i.e. of friends, family, pets, and landscapes – and the charges you make for your creativity.

Types of photography

Like we said before, we’ve all roughly mastered the art of taking selfies and producing unblurred family shots; however, photography isn’t as clear-cut as you might think. For instance, there are various photography specialisms that you can explore

Wedding photographer:

From taking photos of the bridal party as they prepare for the big day, to coordinating large family photographs; as a wedding photographer it is your job to capture the key moments of the day and create lasting memories for the bride and groom.

Individual or family portrait photographer:

Whether you specialise in school photos or are interested in helping individuals or families to capture important moments e.g. pregnancy, generational photos, first birthdays, christenings, etc., this role can prove to be incredibly diverse.

Newspaper/magazine photographer:

From creating celebrity spreads to recording important events e.g. Royal weddings, elections, and major public events, in this industry you will need to think on your feet and be creative in how you capture unpredictable moments.

Wildlife photographer:

This role is great if you love the idea of travelling, as you’ll be expected to take photographs of animals in their natural habitats. To do this successfully, you’ll need to be creative, patient, and capable of thinking outside the box, as you’ll need to time everything perfectly to achieve the best shot.

Aerial photographer:

Since the 1850s photographers have aspired to take photos of the world from above, presenting a bird’s eye view of the world we live in. Whereas in the past this was achieved with the help of aircraft and hot air balloons, technological advances now allow photographers to capture aerial images using drones. In the UK, drone photography must follow Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations, which typically require drone operators to register for a Flyer ID and Operator ID before flying.

Candid photographer:

Anyone who wants to work at events will need the skill of being able to take clear and sharp photographs without them appearing posed, created, or staged. Master the ability to produce natural-looking imagery and you’ll be immensely popular at weddings, christenings, parties, and events.

Fashion photographer:

Whilst lighting is vital in all aspects of photography, being able to achieve this in the fashion industry is critical as your job is to show models and the products they are wearing at the best possible angle and in just the right light.

Architectural photographer:

With the help of natural light and a good eye, you could be hired to take photos of a building to help sell it, support architectural portfolios, or boost tourism to the area.

Documentary photographer:

The goal behind this type of photography is to tell a story. This is achieved by taking photographs of important moments in time, including war, famine, social issues, and cultural change.

Landscape photographer:

This type of photography is not as simple as it sounds — i.e. point the camera at a view and take a picture. Instead, your landscapes will be expected to capture both the beauty and dramatics of nature, as well as invoke certain feelings in viewers such as peace, awe, or inspiration.

Food photographer:

With more and more people relying on the internet to find restaurants and products, it makes sense for restaurants, cafes, bars, food production companies, and retailers to showcase their foods by having them professionally photographed. Post the perfect shot on their website or social media channels, and viewers will be more inclined to visit or order their food online.

Day in the life of a professional photographer

Here is a little secret… no day is the same in the life of a professional photographer. Even if you choose to specialise in taking photographs at weddings, the requests you will receive from clients will vary. Likewise, you’ll have to adjust your photographing style to suit the demands of the bride and groom, as well as the location of the event.

In turn, should you choose to specialise in more than one niche, you could find that one day you’re photographing a wedding, whilst on another, you could be recording a local government event or producing commercial images for a business.

As such, you must continue following trends, mastering new technology, and practicing your skills. Modern photographers also spend time managing online portfolios, editing images using professional software, and delivering photographs digitally through secure client galleries.

What can you do to keep your days structured and organised?

• • 1. Client meetings:

       These meetings are your chance to scope out exactly what clients want and expect from your photography. In most cases, clients will visit you, but you may find yourself visiting them in their homes or meeting online to discuss the brief.

    2. Client requirements and contracts:

       Always make sure that you have liaised with the client and are confident in their requirements. To ensure this, get their requests in writing and have them sign a contract. This will prevent clients from changing their minds incessantly and wasting your time.

    3. Portfolio development:

       If your goal is to expand your portfolio, you can use previous customer events to inspire your layout and image choices. Building a diverse and well-presented portfolio will help you attract more clients and showcase your creative range.

    4. Editing and post-production:

       Once your photographs are taken — in order of priority and deadlines — you will need to spend time touching them up and editing them on your computer. Once uploaded, you’ll be able to modify colours, adjust lighting, and ultimately make them more presentable.

    5. Client review and approval:

       Before printing off the finished product, allow your clients to see what their pictures will look like. This will make it easier for them to pick and choose which ones they like most before you develop and deliver the final product.

    6. Promotions and marketing:

       Take every opportunity to market your work and share your skills (only if clients have permitted you to use their imagery). To achieve this, set aside time each day to promote your services, manage your website and social media profiles, attend shows, and advertise your services both in person and online.

Your responsibilities

Your responsibilities will be greatly dependent upon whether you work for yourself as a freelance photographer or if you are employed by a company. In general, though, you will need to:

• • • Understand and know how to handle the equipment.
    • Take photographs.
    • Promote your work – online, at fairs, or with leaflets.
    • Plan out the composition of your photographs and what you’ll need.
    • Practice and utilise lighting equipment and different photographic techniques.
    • Edit and modify photographs using professional editing software.
    • Maintain and update your portfolio of work.
    • Meet and liaise with clients whilst receiving feedback.

How much do photographers earn?

The amount of money you will earn as a photographer will vary depending on the quality of your portfolio, your level of education, who you know i.e. industry contacts, your years of experience, and how good you are. As a result, you will find that some photographers will charge a few hundred pounds to shoot at an event, whilst others will charge thousands depending on their reputation and specialism.

• • • Employed photographer salary

      Photographer salaries in the UK vary depending on experience, specialism, and employer. Entry-level photographers typically earn between £18,000 and £22,000 per year, while experienced photographers may earn between £25,000 and £35,000 or more.

      • Entry level: £18,000 – £22,000
      • Experienced: £25,000 – £35,000
      • Highly experienced or specialist roles: £35,000 – £40,000+

    • Freelance/self-employed photographer salary

      As a freelance photographer, you have the potential to earn as little or as much as you want, depending on the amount of work you take on and the types of gigs you do. For example, wedding photographers in the UK commonly charge anywhere between £800 and £3,000 per event, although high-end photographers may charge considerably more.

      • Experience: The longer you’ve worked and the bigger your portfolio, the more you can charge.
      • Competitive rates: Research the rates of other photographers in the area. This will act as the basis for determining your charges.
      • Equipment cost: Factor in the cost of your equipment. If you need pricier equipment to complete the job, then you can increase your costs.
      • Travel costs: Before you accept any job, calculate your travel costs and add them to your fees.
      • Cost of editing software: Consider the cost of any software you need to purchase to finish the job.
      • Time: Factor in time for editing your work.

How to become a photographer

If, after reading all of the above, you are still interested in becoming a photographer, then the following section will help to set you on the correct path to achieving your dream.

1. Step One: Recognising your natural talent

   The truth is, to succeed as a photographer you need to be creative, have fantastic people skills, have a strong eye for detail, and possess good technical prowess to keep up with technological advances. If you have these skills, then applying for a photography course will be much easier.

2. Step Two: Gaining the correct qualifications

   Whilst you don’t technically need to have any formal qualifications to call yourself a professional photographer, entering into a higher education programme or completing an online photography course or university degree can improve your odds of securing a job. These qualifications can help you develop your skills, hone your talent, and build a strong portfolio.

   • GCSEs and A-Levels: If you plan to apply for a photography degree or higher education course, universities typically expect a Level 3 qualification such as A-Levels, a BTEC in art or design, or a similar qualification. Many courses will also require a portfolio of photographic work.
   • Online courses: If you don’t plan to go the degree route, then you can register for any number of online photography courses. These will allow you to explore photography, develop your theoretical and technical skills, and in some cases gain a recognised qualification. Another bonus to doing an online course is that you can complete it at a time, place, and pace of your choosing.

3. Step Three: Gaining experience

   Whilst photography qualifications will make things easier for you as a photographer, it is pivotal that you also gain as much experience as possible before you apply for a job.

   The best ways to gain experience are:

   • Taking photographs of your friends.
   • Offering to take pictures for businesses free of charge.
   • Shadowing a professional photographer in their studio.

   All of these experiences will help you create a solid portfolio that will appeal to prospective employers and clients.

Conclusion

Photography is an exciting, creative, and ever-evolving profession that allows you to express yourself while capturing powerful stories through images.

Whether you choose to specialise in weddings, wildlife, fashion, or landscapes, success comes from dedication, continual learning, and building strong relationships with clients. With passion, persistence, and the right training, anyone can turn their love for photography into a rewarding career.

So if you fancy becoming a photographer, why not apply for an online course and start building up your portfolio today? For more information, visit our website today.