How to Become a Photographer: Career Guide, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, After 12th, Jobs, Salary 2024

What Does a Photographer Do

As a photographer, one can specialize in various areas such as wildlife, commercials, wedding, event, the digital world, and food. The basic duties and responsibilities of a photographer are:

• A Photographer works with a client to determine the perfect vision and angle for his photoshoot.
• Photographers are responsible for setting up a perfect location and setup as per the client’s needs.
• Photographers assemble the required equipment, tools and cameras according to the subject, conditions, and location.
• Photographers use traditional or digitally advanced cameras, along with tripods, filters, and flash attachments to take photographs.
• Photographers adjust various parameters such as apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus based on lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
• Photographers are also responsible for reviewing and enhancing photographs using digital photo-editing software like adobe.

Steps to become a Photographer 

There are multiple niches in photography in which anybody can specialize based on their interest and skill sets they have. Some of the basic skills that are essential to becoming a Photographer are listed below, 

• Step 1: First step to become a photographer is to choose a relevant photography course like a diploma in photography, or a degree/certificate program. India is home to a number of Photography institutes that offer various Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Diploma courses in Photography.
• Step 2: Fulfil the Eligibility Criteria like most of the diploma courses want 12th pass qualification and other certificates or courses want graduation. Eligibility may vary according to the type of course they prefer.
• Step 3: Secure admission to a top photography institute. Some top institutes provide admission on the basis of merit in entrance exam or board exams.
• Step 4: Complete the course program, learn not just to complete the course but also learn the strategies and technicalities provided in the course.
• Step 5: After completion of the course or during the course land for the Internships to implement their knowledge and gain industry experience as how industries work, equipment works etc.
• Step 6: Create a niche for as in which industry/niche one looks forward to work for
• Step 7: Create a portfolio/Website/Blog or a Social media page to showcase their work.

Types of Photographers

There are various types and segments in Photography. Listed below are the major types of photographers for your reference,

Wildlife Photographer

Wildlife photographers take photographs of animals in the wild. Wildlife Photographers have an extensive travelling schedule since they need to be present where the action is. It can be in Africa taking pictures of lions to Sundarabans taking pictures of Tigers or even in the North Pole taking pictures of Polar Bears. The majority of Wildlife Photographers are freelancers. They spend most of their time travelling and taking pictures and selling their pictures to the highest bidder. There are no bidding centres, the highest money depends on the contacts that they sign. The average salary of a wildlife photographer in India ranges from INR 7 LPA – 12 LPA.  

Travel Photographer

This goes without saying that travel photographers do travel a lot as per their assignments. Travel Photographers will have to really understand the essence of the place in order to understand its beauty. Remote locations tend to provide the best photographs. As a trainee travel photographer, the average pay is between INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 but with experience and knowledge the average pay can go up to as much as INR 14 LPA. It is advisable to sell pictures regularly in order to gain trust which will lead to dependency and then a hike in pay. Candidates can even have their own blog or website. It is better to write as well since writing with proper pictures will provide a complete package. 

Sports Photographer

Taking fast-paced action moments of athletes and sports personnel is described as sports photography. Sports photographers work for newspapers, magazines, websites and photo stock agencies. They analyze and plan the composition of photographs that includes placements, lighting, equipment etc. They use photo-enhancing software, such as photoshop to touch up photographs. Sports are largely associated with cricket in India. With IPL and National teams playing, there is good scope for professional Sports photography. The average salary of sports photographers is around INR 2.44 LPA –  3.60 LPA in India. 

Scientific Photographer

The role of a Scientific Photographer includes capturing medical or scientific data using instruments or equipment without any use of image-manipulating software. Pictures of science are important to show the outer world what it is all about. Without a picture of bacteria in our textbook, we could never have understood how they looked. Animated objects always fall behind a well-illuminated picture of the real thing. 

Food Photographer

Food photographers are hired for taking photographs of food prepared in restaurants and advertising agencies or work for magazines that publish the recipes of food. The main focus of Food photographers is not just to make them look delicious but also appealing to the eye. The colours, the texture, the lighting and the angles all count. Restaurants hire food photographers who are basically freelance photographers. Most of the food photographers are customers who go there. They take pictures of the food and share them on social media which attracts more customers. The average salary of a Food Photographer in India usually ranges between INR 3.45 LPA – 4.23 LPA.

Fashion Photographer

Fashion Photography is very popular because of social media. It involves both indoor and outdoor shoots, that are shot on high-quality cameras. Fashion photography is booming and since the industry focuses only on talent it has been able to bring up some good photographers. Having a photography qualification is an added point but what matters the most are the skills to click spellbinding pictures. Apart from fashion photography for magazines and calendars, celebrities hire photographers to stay relevant in the minds of the audience. Regular photos on their social media handles make them relevant to their followers. The average salary of a Fashion Photographer can range from INR 2.5 L – 4 L for 3 months or money according to the number of pictures selected.  

How to Become a Photographer in India

There are several courses that are available in India, that can help students become Photographers. Some of the key steps that can be followed to become a Photographer are listed below for your reference.

How to Become a Photographer after 10^th

• Students who wish to become a photographer after class 10th should start practising from this point. It will be very difficult to become a photographer outright at this tender age.
• Thus this is the time to get one’s knowledge of angles, and light and know different types of photography. 
• There are various online courses that don't require any eligibility criteria. These courses will help in understanding the basics of photography.
• Candidates will surely become better with practice. 

How to Become a Photographer after 12^th

• Students can join various photography courses available in India. Students must prepare in order to take admission to top Photography colleges in India.
• Some of the top photography colleges in India include Delhi College of Photography, Light and Life Academy, and Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University.
• The average fees range from INR 20,000 to INR 2,00,000. 
• Majority of the courses are one-year diploma courses.
• Students must find the eligibility and admission process of top photography colleges in India.
• Students may try to become a photographer without going for a formal degree course but the degree provides an identity to the photographer in the beginning stages of his career. 

How to Become a Photographer without a Degree

A degree is not a must to become a photographer.  An individual must have an eye for photography, thus understanding the frame and light balance in order to become a photographer without a degree.

• The industry has an eye for talent and the best way to attract everyone’s attention is to do more. 
• An individual must do as many photoshoots as possible and get them published.
• With regular publishing of your works, bigger corporations or organizations will come to you. You can also meet different people and showcase their work to them.

Photography Courses

Career as a photographer in India requires planning and execution right from class 12th. You need to select the right course, check the eligibility criteria and find out the perfect college to pursue your career as a photographer.

The top UG and PG courses to become a photographer in India are:

Diploma in Photography 

• Diploma in Photography is a one year professional photography course in documentary, travel and nature photography.
• To be eligible for a diploma in photography, 50% marks in class 12th from a recognized board is required, the admission process is based on personal interviews and portfolio of work.
• AAFT Noida is the most famous college for a diploma in photography, the admissions to AAFT Noida are often based on their entrance exam called AAFT GEE.
• The average course fee to pursue a diploma in photography is INR 65,000 - 5 LPA.
• Diploma in photography is also offered in other specializations such as Diploma in Digital Photography and Diploma in Camera & Lightning Techniques.

BFA Photography 

• BFA photography or bachelor of fine arts in photography is an undergraduate course of three years.
• Any student after class 12th can pursue BFA in photography, the admissions to which are solely based on merit score of class 12th.
• BFA in Photography is offered by BHU, Varanasi at an average cost of INR 2,407 which is a very affordable option than any other course available in photography.
• After BFA, you can pursue a MFA in photography, or can pursue PG diploma courses in photography.

Professional Photography Courses 

• Apart from diploma and bachelor level courses in photography, many students pursue short-term professional courses or online course in photography.
• Foundation course (in wildlife photography), Crash course in Photography, Introductory course in wedding photography are the most popular courses in photography.
• They are feasible as they can be pursued in a few weeks or months, and they are available for a cost of INR 10,000.
• The admissions to these courses are basically on a first come first serve basis, in some cases, your portfolio will be asked to judge your past experience and interest as a photographer.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum qualification for diploma courses is completion of class 10; in most of the institutes its 12th standard. 
• Eligibility for Bachelors programs like B.Sc, BFA, Degree/Certificate is that a candidate must have cleared 12th standard in any stream.
• Eligibility criteria for post graduation programs in photography is a graduation degree in any discipline with minimum 50% Marks.