One might assume photography is all about using a device to capture images; something to look at occasionally. However, the craft of photography is beyond all that and it is not an easy feat. Photos and images are associated with a lot of aspects in this world. It is interlinked with human emotions, science, energies, social justice, community, information, feelings and much more. From looking at an image to think of good times to looking at images for analyzing inventions, photography creates a lot. In this article, we will look at exploring various career opportunities in the photography industry, top cities in India that offer opportunities, salary expectations within the field of photography based on experience and top companies in the world that recruit photographers. A photography aspirant or student can learn a lot from all the opportunities the new world has to offer and can become proficient as well.
Careers in Photography
Commercial Photographer
A professional commercial photographer captures images of specific products and/or offering or receiving services. In commercial photography, the photographer aims to enhance the best quality of a client’s or company’s products and services. These images are used for branding and marketing requirements. A commercial photographer earns from Rs. 5 lakh and goes up to Rs. 15-20 lakhs.
Photojournalist
Photojournalists are also known as news photographers and they work with news publications, media houses and digital news platforms. These professional photographers can work on various news beats such as sports, science, fashion, entertainment, technology, automobiles, travel, food etc. News when accompanied with images have more impact with people and is an effective form of news reporting.
Scientific Photographer
Scientific photography is photographing experiments, scientific data, research and samples for analysis. Although this may seem similar to nature photography, scientific photography is more inclined to capturing images to be used for scientific studies and examination; mostly for applied sciences like medicine and engineering, also for botany, microbiology, particle physics, zoology and much more.
Portrait Photographer
Picture day at school and work, photos for your passport and documentation, headshots and mugshots are all captured by a professional portrait photographer. These professionals work either at studios or at other locations based on appointments. They work on lighting and background setting based on the image’s requirements and produce images of various sizes for documentation needs. Portrait photography can go beyond formal conditions. This can be family portraits, pictures of your children, portrait photos for birthdays and weddings etc.
Photo Editor
As the word sounds, a photo editor administers editing and is also the lead for a team of photographers. They oversee location permissions, shoot set up, coordinate with and guide photographers regarding the requirements of the photoshoot. They set the tone for the end result of the images with basic edits, color correction, white balance and more.
Freelance Photographer
You are an aspiring photographer and you are looking forward to working in multiple industries without limiting yourself to one. Freelance photography lets you pursue this desire. A Freelance photographer works on need-basis or contracts and are mostly self-employed; they do not solely work for any company, studio or organization. Freelancers get to work in different sectors and gain experience with various kinds of photography. Although sources of income may seem unsteady or active, with the right guidance and projects, you can maintain a lucrative career as a freelancer.
Wedding Photographer
Everyone wants their dream wedding to have picture perfect moments. A wedding photographer ensures that your dream comes true. Although wedding photography requires planning or coordination, unlike other types of photography, a wedding photographer must be spontaneous amidst busyness. Today, wedding photographers incorporate new techniques in their craft such as drone shots, aerial shots etc.
Travel Photographer
Doesn’t it sound fun to be paid to travel everywhere and take pictures while you are at it? This is exactly what a travel photographer does. Capturing images of culture, traditions, people and places; Travel photographers work with agencies and travel publications. You get to try different styles and techniques in photography to give people a view of the world. Travel photographers earn Rs. 4 lakh to 6 lakh per annum.
Wildlife Photographer
Life in the wilderness is fascinating and intriguing. Capturing this life without compromising its true essence is indeed an art. Wildlife photographers are professional photographers who photograph animals and their life in the great outdoors. This requires closely monitoring and capturing movements of animals, their patterns and survival. Oftentimes, this is a risky profession; the photographer must be equipped and should have the skills to tackle things in the wild to protect themselves and be mindful of the wildlife.
Top Indian Cities For Lucrative Photography Jobs
Photography as a career choice can land you the dream job you have been eyeing for and it only gets better with the fact that many cities offer multifold opportunities. A few cities in india are:
Bangalore – Average Salary: Rs. 65,000 per month
Udaipur – Average Salary: Rs. 30,000 per month
Delhi – Average Salary: Rs. 55,000 per month
Mumbai – Average Salary: Rs. 70,000 per month
Kolkata – Average Salary: Rs. 32,000 per month
Top Recruiters For Photographers
| Company |
|---|
| Accenture |
| Educreate Films |
| Ricoh |
| Amazon |
| Polaroid |
| Canon |
| KPMG |
| Panasonic |
| Deloitte |
| Kodak |
| Adorama |
| SGK |
| Zomato |
| Nikon |
| Swiggy |
| Olympus |
| Nat Geo |
Conclusion
The world of photography is vast and dynamic. The ability to capture images the way it is and maybe even enhancing its beauty is definitely a form of art. In today’s context, learning the art is accessible and available for all people passionate about photography and the world definitely needs more photographers who can capture its enchantments. With the right course, guidance and experiences, you can become an exemplary photographer in no time.
Read more about AAFT’s School of Still Photography here.