Routes to becoming a photographer

There are various routes into the world of photography, all of which will help you build up a network of contacts, an essential factor if you want to be successful in this industry.  

Undergraduate degrees 

Undergraduate photography degrees tend to take three years to complete or four years if a foundation year is included. Universities typically require between 88 – 128 UCAS points and a portfolio of your work.  

You could choose to focus on a specific area of photography like commercial, fashion or fine art or you might opt for a general photography degree. On completion you’ll be awarded a Bachelor of Arts honours degree.  

Degree apprenticeships 

A degree apprenticeship is another route to becoming a photographer. You’ll still study, but you’ll do so part-time alongside work. These courses are employer-led and will usually take the same length of time to complete as an undergraduate degree.  

You can search for apprenticeship vacancies via . You might find a photography role or one that involves photography like a graphic design apprenticeship. 

The entry requirements are set by both the employer and the provider of the course. Your employer pays for the course, not you. 

Postgraduate degrees 

Many universities offer postgraduate photography courses enabling you to add to your skills set and make more contacts in the industry. These courses usually take a year to complete full time or two years part time. An undergraduate degree in a related subject is usually a minimum entry requirement. 

• Discussing and interpreting a client brief  
• Taking, recording and manipulating digital images 
• Inserting lenses and adjusting aperture and speed settings  
• Arranging subject, lighting, camera equipment 
• Selecting subject and conceiving composition of picture or discussing composition with colleagues 
• Managing health and safety issues at the photo session

The role of a photographer can be varied, you might often work evenings and weekends depending on client assignments e.g., weddings and the location might be inside or outdoors in all weather.  

If you are self-employed, you’ll be responsible for your own training. Joining a professional organisation such as The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) or The Association of Photographers (AOP) could help with this. The average starting salary for a photographer in the UK is currently £17,250 and with considerable experience could go up to £45,000.  

Is a role as a photographer right for you? 

As a photographer you’ll get to see your creative ideas come to life and could work on lots of different assignments. You’ll need to be self-motivated and prepared to do a lot of networking to win work and earn a consistent income.