How to become a Photographer

An individual who works closely with clients to capture photos of people, places, and things and use appropriate technical skills and level of creativity. To ensure best-suited results, they need to constantly keep in touch with the client regarding their expectations to meet their standards and the deadlines for the assigned projects. The career requires a professional study course along with the power of imagination. They use their technical expertise in different software and composition skills to construct and store images that narrate a story or capture an event for a lifetime. The art of photography is the best means to show creativity in an individual. It is an exceptional medium of self-expression. Photographers have the option to focus on their careers in a particular field of photography. They often specialize in a specific type of photography, such as portrait photographers, commercial photographers, photojournalists, aerial photographers, etc. The profession is one of the most commercially valued careers.

The core responsibilities of a photographer to help function well in their field are:

• Knowledge of traditional as well as modern-day cameras along with their equipment like filters, flash attachments or tripods.
• Adjust the shutter speeds, apertures and camera focus in a particular combination to achieve the best image possible. 
• Review different sets of photographs to select the best ones from their entire project.
• Create artificial light, by working with flashes and reflectors for the events or shoots.
• Manipulate and improve digital images to generate desired effects, using specialized software on computers.  
• Define the goals of the project along with a focus on location, and types of equipment needed, only after studying assignments and consulting with clients.
• Keep a check on working equipment before any shoot to ensure if it is in good working condition or not.
• Select and gather tools that are required for background resources, according to the project needs, materials available, and conditions best suitable. 
• Execute tasks necessary to keep equipment working in a proper condition. 

A few abilities and skills are essentially required to function efficiently as a photographer. These skills involve active listening, where the individual is required to pay full attention to what other people are saying and take time to understand the points being made by them. They must have the upper hand on speaking skills to help convey the information efficiently. They must actively look for ways to help other people with their problems or alternative solutions. They require the ability to be aware of other people's reactions and understand their comfort level while being associated with a project. Active listening skills are also needed to help understand the client's needs. Their monitoring skills must be efficient as they need to assess the performance of their juniors to make constant improvements. They need to be fluent in listening and understanding, along with being able to communicate information and ideas while associated with a shoot. They also require a sense of visualization to imagine how something might look after it is moved around. They must have an extra sense of colour and interest in visuals, light, etc.

Salary of a Photographer is as follows :

• Minimum Monthly Salary: Entry-level photographers may earn a minimum monthly salary of around INR 15,000 to INR 25,000. These are typically individuals starting their careers, assisting established photographers, or working on small projects.
• Maximum Monthly Salary: Experienced and highly skilled photographers with a strong portfolio, reputation, and expertise in specialized fields like fashion, commercial, or wildlife photography may earn anywhere from INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000 or more per month. The salary can vary significantly based on the type of clients and projects they undertake.
• Annual Salary: The annual salary may range from INR 2,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 for entry-level or junior photographers. As photographers gain more experience, build their client base, and establish themselves in their niche, their annual income can increase from approximately INR 6,00,000 to INR 18,00,000 or higher.
• Highest Paying Jobs and Scope: Specialized fields like fashion, advertising, and product photography often offer higher earning potential due to the demand for creative and high-quality visuals. Additionally, photographers working with renowned brands, magazines, or top-notch clients may charge premium fees.

Photographers have diverse opportunities across various industries to showcase their creativity and skills. Here are some industries that offer openings for photographers:

1. Advertising and Marketing: Photographers must create visual content for advertising campaigns, branding, product promotions, and marketing materials.
2. Media and Publishing: Newspapers, magazines, online publications, and book publishers require photographers for editorial and feature photography.
3. Fashion: Fashion photographers capture images for clothing brands, fashion magazines, designers, and modelling agencies.
4. Wedding and Event Photography: This involves capturing special moments at weddings, parties, corporate events, and other gatherings.
5. Portrait and Studio Photography: Photographers create portraits for individuals, families, and professionals, often working in studios.
6. Travel and Tourism: Photographers capture images of landscapes, cultural experiences, and tourist attractions for travel magazines, websites, and agencies.
7. Fine Art Photography: Fine art photographers exhibit their work in galleries, museums, and art shows.
8. Documentary and Photojournalism: Photojournalists cover news events and social issues and document historical moments.
9. Corporate Photography: Businesses and corporations hire photographers for headshots, corporate events, and branding purposes.
10. Sports Photography: Sports photographers capture action shots and moments from sporting events for media outlets and sports organizations.
11. Food and Culinary Photography: Photographers work with restaurants, chefs, and food publications to capture appetizing images of dishes.
12. Architectural and Interior Photography: Photographers capture images of buildings, interiors, and architectural details for real estate, design, and construction industries.
13. Wildlife and Nature Photography: Photographers in this field capture images of animals, landscapes, and natural environments for magazines, books, and conservation organizations.
14. Stock Photography: Photographers contribute images to stock photography websites for licensing and sale to various clients.
15. Scientific and Medical Photography: Photographers work in research, healthcare, and scientific fields to document experiments, medical procedures, and phenomena.
16. Performing Arts Photography: Photographers capture images of theatre performances, concerts, dance shows, and other live performances.
17. Automotive and Industrial Photography: Photographers create images for automotive brands, industrial companies, and manufacturing processes.
18. E-commerce Photography: E-commerce websites require product images for online shopping platforms.
19. Aerial and Drone Photography: Photographers use drones to capture unique perspectives and aerial views for various industries.