Photography
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in Photography.
See also our Journalism and Writing and Publishing and Printing pages.
What are careers in Photography?
A photographer produces images that communicate a specific message to the viewer. Their purpose may be artistic, commercial or editorial and their content can represent anything.
Around half of all professional photographers are self-employed; the remainder work for a wide range of employers, including creative businesses, publishers, other photographers, or in the education or public sector (source - Prospects). Most professional photographers specialise in one area, eg fine art, fashion, advertising, editorial or social photography.
Hours can be unsociable and irregular, and photographers can work anywhere from a modern studio to outdoors in all weathers, depending on the pictures they need to take.
Prospects
Graduate careers website with profiles on a range of occupations in this field:
www.prospects.ac.uk
Target Jobs
Graduate careers website. The ‘areas of work’ section contains information on photographers and press photographers.
targetjobs.co.uk
How do I get into it?
Skillset
This is the sector skills council for the audio-visual industries and includes careers and industry information about Photo Imagaing, which includes photography.
The Visual Studies Workshop
Internationally recognized centre for media studies, including photography, visual books, digital imaging, film and video. US site which includes exhibitions and opportunities
Illustration Source
Consists of three sections: Stock Illustration Source, Spots On The Spot, a collection of downloadable smaller illustrations and Graphistock, a photography collection featuring unique, cutting edge stock photos. Details of submitting work.
National Society for Education in Art and Design
Leading national authority concerned with art, craft and design across all phases of education in the United Kingdom.
Wired Sussex
The Brighton Internship Programme provides six week placements for graduates. It’s the first of its kind because it’s just for the creative industries and just for Brighton. Sign up for the newsletter to be kept informed.
www.wiredsussex.com/workproject
Finding a job or employer in this sector
Artyfacts
University of Brighton careers centre newsletter for arts and architecture students. This is available free to students of the University of Brighton from the careers centre. For details of subscribing please contact the Moulsecoomb careers.
BIPP Directory of Professional Photography
Online guide to a career in photography with training information (click on the ‘about BIPP’ link) and database of professional photographers
www.bipp.com
Skillset - Photo Imaging Employer Survey
This survey dates back to November 2005, but it should give some good indicators as to the types of skills and experience employers are looking for in the photo imaging sector.
www.skillset.org/uploads
Further Information and useful links
Association of Photographers
Vacancy listing updated weekly and useful careers information on working freelance
www.the-aop.org
British Journal of Photography
Information for the professional photographer ~ with free registration enabling full use of the site and free e-mail delivery of three professional imaging newsletters
www.bjphoto.co.uk
BAPLA (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies)
Site includes a vacancy board
www.bapla.org
The Association of Learned & Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP)
International trade association for not-for-profit publishers and those who work with them, includes a vacancy section
www.alpsp.org.uk
Photography Alliance of Great Britain
Royal Photographic Society
Master Photographers Association (MPA)
Organisation for practicing full time professional photographers
www.thempa.com
National Union of Journalists (NUJ)
Medical Artists' Association of Great Britain (MAA)