Photographic technician

Photographic technicians process digital images, use software to improve picture quality and create prints for customers.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a photographic technician, you could:

  • scan, restore and catalogue pictures in archive collections
  • make adjustments to pictures, using image editing software
  • print images on photographic paper, canvas or other materials
  • carry out quality checks on prints
  • advise customers on how best to achieve the results they want
  • help photographers during photo shoots
  • set up equipment and assist art teachers in schools, colleges and universities
  • check and maintain equipment like cameras and printers

Working environment

You could work at a store, in a creative studio or at an art gallery.

Career path and progression

You could specialise in photographic work for organisations like the police, NHS, museums or picture libraries.

With experience, you could move into supervisory or management positions.

You might also choose to start your own photographic business or open a franchise to run a processing lab.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Most relevant

  • Art and Design - Photographic technicians need a strong eye for visual composition, colour, and image quality. They make adjustments to pictures, restore archive images, and carry out quality checks on prints – all of which require an understanding of visual aesthetics and design principles.
  • Computer Science - Photographic technicians use image editing software daily to process, enhance, and manipulate digital photographs. Understanding how digital imaging works at a technical level – including file formats, colour profiles, and software tools – helps them solve problems and get the best results from their systems.

Also relevant

  • Design and Technology - Photographic technicians work with a range of equipment including cameras, printers, and scanners, and need to maintain and troubleshoot these tools. Understanding materials and production processes also helps when printing images on different surfaces like canvas or photographic paper.
  • Physics - Photographic technicians benefit from understanding how light behaves, including concepts like exposure, colour temperature, and how lenses focus images. This knowledge helps when setting up equipment, assisting during photo shoots, and troubleshooting image quality issues.
  • Chemistry - Photographic technicians who work with traditional film processing or archival restoration need to understand how chemical reactions affect photographic materials. Knowledge of chemistry also helps when working with different printing inks and substrates.
  • Business - Photographic technicians often advise customers on how to achieve the results they want, and some go on to run their own photographic businesses or processing labs. Understanding customer service, pricing, and business management is valuable for career progression in this field.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • photography
  • art and design
  • photography, video and digital imaging

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you need in this job. Courses include:

  • photography
  • art and design - photography option
  • creative digital media

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

You could apply to do a Photographer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship to get into this role.

This apprenticeship takes between 1 and 2 years to complete, and is a mix of training in the workplace and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

You could apply directly to companies to work as a photographic technician. You'll need to be well organised, able to use image editing software and have a keen interest in photography.

Some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs, A levels or equivalent qualifications in a subject like photography, desktop publishing or art and design.

Career tips

You could contact photo labs, professional photographers, picture libraries, museums and educational institutions for potential job opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in photography from The Association of Photographers.

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