There are almost 14,000 companies in the UK photographic imaging sector, and nearly half of those are sole traders or freelancers. 93% of all businesses in this industry employ 5 people or less. However, opportunities do exist in fields as diverse as press photography, medical photography and portrait photography.
Many budding photographers dream of working for the press. Although staff photographers are employed by some newspapers and magazines, it's more common for them to commission images from freelancers or picture agencies. Getting established as a freelancer is a long and often demoralising process, but if you are capable, determined, and prepared to network relentlessly, you may be able to fashion opportunities.
Photographers are also employed in a number of other areas. High street photography studios often have positions for trainees or assistants - as with most areas of photography, the majority of opportunities are in London. Wedding and event photographers also sometimes take on apprentices. Some museums employ photographers to record exhibits and to supply pictures for educational or publicity material, and a variety of big organisations like charities, universities and local authorities have staff photographers. There are also sometimes short-term contracts available for photographers at theme parks, cruise liners and holiday companies, normally advertised through recruitment agencies.
A completely different option is working for the police as forensic photographers, documenting crime scenes. If you don't like blood and guts, then this isn't the job for you. For the right individual, however, it can be highly rewarding.
Freelancing is the most common approach for most other photographers. To generate work as a freelancer, there are a number of things you can do. If you have a strong enough portfolio, you may get commissions off the back of this, may get you commissions, but tireless self-promotion is usually essential. Some freelancers also employ agents to get work for them.
Many budding photographers dream of working for the press. Although staff photographers are employed by some newspapers and magazines, it's more common for them to commission images from freelancers or picture agencies. Getting established as a freelancer is a long and often demoralising process, but if you are capable, determined, and prepared to network relentlessly, you may be able to fashion opportunities.
Photographers are also employed in a number of other areas. High street photography studios often have positions for trainees or assistants - as with most areas of photography, the majority of opportunities are in London. Wedding and event photographers also sometimes take on apprentices. Some museums employ photographers to record exhibits and to supply pictures for educational or publicity material, and a variety of big organisations like charities, universities and local authorities have staff photographers. There are also sometimes short-term contracts available for photographers at theme parks, cruise liners and holiday companies, normally advertised through recruitment agencies.
A completely different option is working for the police as forensic photographers, documenting crime scenes. If you don't like blood and guts, then this isn't the job for you. For the right individual, however, it can be highly rewarding.
Freelancing is the most common approach for most other photographers. To generate work as a freelancer, there are a number of things you can do. If you have a strong enough portfolio, you may get commissions off the back of this, may get you commissions, but tireless self-promotion is usually essential. Some freelancers also employ agents to get work for them.
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