Photographer

Career path and progression

Many photographers are freelance and you could do a mix of contract work and following your own interests.

You could extend your range into other areas of photography like product, property, aerial or corporate work.

Specialist photographers

With training, you could work as a press or police photographer.

There are opportunities for photographers in the armed forces. You can find out more about being a Royal Air Force photographer.

If you do specialist qualifications, you could find jobs in medical photography or illustration.

Starting your own business

You may decide to become self-employed and set up your own business.

Photography is very competitive, so you'll need creativity and technical skills to make money. You'll also need finance for equipment, a space to work in and some business and admin skills.

You could increase your income by selling your images independently.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Art and Design - Photographers need a strong understanding of composition, colour, light, and visual storytelling to create compelling images. Skills like framing a shot, choosing a colour palette, and understanding how visual elements work together are rooted in art and design principles.
• Design and Technology - Photographers work with a wide range of technical equipment – cameras, lenses, lighting rigs, and editing hardware – and need to understand how these tools function. The practical, hands-on problem-solving involved in setting up shoots and preparing locations connects closely to design and technology skills.

Also relevant

• Film Studies - Photographers use many of the same visual principles studied in cinema – composition, lighting, colour, and mise-en-scène – to create images that tell a story or convey mood. Understanding how framing and visual language guide a viewer's eye helps them make stronger creative choices.
• Media Studies - Photographers often produce images for advertising, editorial, or digital platforms, so understanding how media industries commission and use visual content is useful. Knowledge of how audiences interpret images across different formats helps them tailor work to its intended context.
• Physics - Photographers rely on the physics of light every day – understanding how light behaves, reflects, refracts, and interacts with different surfaces is essential for controlling exposure and creating the right mood. Concepts like focal length, depth of field, and the electromagnetic spectrum all have their roots in physics.
• Computer Science - Photographers use sophisticated editing software to process and manipulate images, and understanding how digital image files, colour spaces, and compression algorithms work helps them get the best results. Some photographers also build websites or use scripting to automate parts of their workflow.
• Business - Photographers are very often freelance or self-employed, which means they need to manage their own finances, price their work, market themselves, and handle client relationships. Understanding how to run a small business is crucial for making a sustainable living from photography.
• English Language - Photographers discuss briefs with clients, write proposals, and communicate their creative ideas clearly. Being able to negotiate, pitch for work, and present concepts in a professional way is important – especially for freelancers who need to win and manage their own projects.