How to become a professional photographer

If you're hoping to turn your love of photography into a career, discover the steps you need to take to become a professional photographer in the UK

'The market for professional photography is shrinking, fees are getting smaller, and there's a lot of competition - so making a career out of it means you need to stand out in some way,' says Dr Michael Pritchard, director for education and public affairs at The Royal Photographic Society (RPS).

He explains how this can be achieved through developing your own photography style. Still, he stresses the importance of always being professional and having the right attitude to match your creative talents.

You should deliver your work on time, ensure it meets the client's brief and bring your full range of skills to your photography offering. Adding additional skills, such as filmmaking, is a significant advantage.

If you've decided that a photography career is for you and are prepared for the hard work ahead, you'll need to take the following steps.

Get photography work experience

As with most careers, you'll find that work experience, usually by assisting an established photographer, is the best way to understand working as a professional photographer.

It's worth speaking to local photographers, or those whose work you admire, online via LinkedIn. For tips, see social media and job hunting. This is because you're more likely to be invited to assist a photographer for a day or during an event they're covering than land a traditional week or month-long photography internship.

Make the most of any experience you're offered, even if it's not within the specific area of photography you're interested in. This is the perfect time to ask questions, learn photography practices and build your network of contacts.

Make contacts and get your work noticed

If you're struggling to secure work experience or find a mentor, Dr Pritchard reveals other ways to promote yourself. 'Submitting work to photography competitions and exhibitions can help to raise your profile, but be selective and only choose those that will add value to your CV.'

You could consider portfolio review sessions, as this will introduce your work to industry specialists and commissioners. 'Often a review session can start a longer-term relationship with the reviewer, so select those who will appreciate your work,' says Dr Prichard.

Also, you'll meet photographers and influential people from the industry by attending talks and events. Dr Pritchard advises you to keep your portfolio handy on a tablet or phone so you can easily show it to others.

Finally, start a blog or create a website and upload your work online. This will demonstrate your talent and ability to use photography software and provide instant access to your portfolio.

Utilise the online community by following other photography blogs and using social media to network and hunt for opportunities. See our 5 tips for getting media work experience.

Study a photography qualification

Online photography courses

'The world of photography education is enormous,' reveals Dr Prichard. Indeed, there are plenty of informal ways of learning about photography, from specialist online courses to independent workshops.

For instance, the RPS has developed 'Digital photography: creating and sharing better images', a ten-week online digital photography course delivered through the Open University (OU).

This short course is perfect for understanding the principles of digital photography and image editing. It will give you a broad overview of various photographic genres and the knowledge, skills, and techniques required to create better photographic narratives.

Dr Prichard feels this course may be sufficient if you have the drive and initiative to present your work. However, there are plenty of other study options for those hoping to expand their knowledge further and develop practical skills at a higher level.

Photography degrees

'A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in photography gives you a solid grounding in photography, as well as business skills,' advises Dr Prichard. An event organised through your university department will likely be where you first show your work publicly.

When choosing a photography degree, select one with course content that covers the areas you want to learn about. Some degrees have specialist modules that may overlap with your own career interests.

You can attend a university open day (or virtual event) to assess the facilities and meet the staff.

Some photography degree options include:

• Leeds Arts University
• Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
• University of the Arts London (UAL)

Most courses last three years, although the BA Photography at Leeds Arts University includes an optional placement year.

Leeds asks for 104 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from your A-levels, T Levels or BTEC diploma for entry onto the course. See how the points system works at how to apply for university.

Once you're coming to the end of your course, explore what can I do with my degree in photography?

At this stage, you can also consider which courses support your next steps should you decide on further study.

Masters degrees in photography

A Master of Arts (MA), a Master of Fine Art (MFA), postgraduate certificate (PGCert) or postgraduate diploma (PGDip) would give you invaluable knowledge of the industry while also building your portfolio.

MFA courses are exclusive to creative subjects and are focused more on applied, practical learning through performance and portfolio than a traditional, theory-based MA.

The range of modules offered in an MA course is designed to give you a deeper, more rounded understanding of photography - its past, present and future.

For example, the MA Photography from Kingston University London's Kingston School of Art (KSA) offers modules concerned with political debates about representation in photography and the photographer's role as an image maker.

To see what's available, search postgraduate courses in photography.

To gain entry to a course, you'll typically need at least a 2:1 in a related subject, plus substantial relevant experience. This could be anything from work shadowing to publishing your own photography blog.

Universities will be interested in seeing your own work, so you may be called to interview as part of the application process. Compile a creative portfolio of your work and be prepared to discuss it at length.

Generally speaking, a full-time photography Masters will take one or two years to complete. Part-time courses can last up to three years, except for some part-time MFA courses, which can take four.

As you explore your postgraduate funding options, you may wish to consider the RPS Postgraduate Bursary, which provides £3,500 to one postgraduate photography student each year. This can be for a taught course or research project, with applicants able to apply at any stage of their studies.

The RPS also provides annual funding for two online degree courses at Falmouth University - the online BA Photography and the MA Photography.

Find a photography job or apprenticeship

As a professional photographer, you'll usually specialise in a certain field, such as:

• architecture
• commercial
• events
• family
• fashion
• fine art
• forensic - see crime scene investigator
• school
• wedding
• wildlife
• underwater.

Alternatively, you can combine your interests in photography and journalism to become a press photographer - or TV to become a television camera operator.

Each of these roles requires a different style and skillset. Photographers across the industry use a range of equipment, work different hours in various locations, and travel globally.

For instance, a school photographer may work within a county or region, while a wildlife photographer will travel to habitats in other countries and experience diverse environmental conditions. Because of this, finding work experience tailored to your ambitions is crucial.

You can search for photography jobs on:

• general job sites like Indeed and Reed
• freelance project and job pitch sites, such as Upwork and PeoplePerHour.com
• social media and professional networking platforms, e.g. LinkedIn Jobs and The Dots.

When looking for your first role, you could consider doing a (Level 4) higher apprenticeship in photography and build your experience that way. You could work for a small creative studio or a larger commercial or government organisation.

For example, the Royal Air Force (RAF) Photographer Apprenticeship allows you to work with cutting-edge digital technology to produce stills and video imagery.

Join a professional body

As the UK's largest photography organisation, with over 11,000 members, the RPS is well-equipped to offer additional support to new photographers interested in pursuing this career.

This educational charity provides networking opportunities to students and graduates. You'll also benefit from the chance to enter competitions and attend exhibitions - see RPS opportunities.

In addition, its raft of resources allows you to develop your skills and creativity while focusing on your work. These include access to journal talks and a globally recognised programme of RPS qualifications for every level of photographic experience.

Becoming a member will also bring more focused benefits for career development, including access to training and resources.

Other major professional bodies include:

• British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP)
• The Association of Photographers (AOP)
• The National Photographic Society

Become a freelance photographer

A MoneySupermarket.com study on The Best UK Cities for Freelancers revealed how nearly a tenth (9%) of UK freelancers work in the video, photo and audio media subsector.

This shows that many photographers are self-employed, which you'll need to consider when starting your photography career. Find out what's involved with freelancing before you get started.

Some tips for finding clients and getting regular photography work include:

• contacting events you're interested in and offering free coverage in return for a press pass
• creating a portfolio of your best work and displaying it via your website or studio
• attending business gatherings and events to network
• building a social presence and engaging with your audience on Instagram and LinkedIn
• regularly following up and checking in with clients you have done work for
• registering your business in photography directories
• encouraging clients to write Google reviews, as this helps to build trust in your services.

Find out more

• Explore other graduate media jobs.
• Consider journalism courses.
• Get an overview of the UK's media sector.