Work as a Photographer
Hello dear reader, are you looking for information regarding how to work as a photographer in India, do not worry, you are at the right place. Keep on reading ahead to know more about this startup business idea.
If you are looking for something else, perhaps information regarding how to start working as a handyman, you can click here to read further about the said business idea.
Photography is one of the fields that usually starts with a hobby and then gradually turns into a full-fledged career.
In recent times, photography has become very popular startup which is attracting a large number of people to it.
If you are a person who has the right talent for photography and an unflinching interest, we suggest you to consider working as a full-time photographer in India.
Before you plunge deep into the world of photography, we urge you to read this complete article to know how can you work as a photographer in India.
But Why Photography?
In the past, the photography business was restricted to only events, weddings, and movies but in the recent time, with the widening scope for e-commerce, advertising, mass media, and fields related to these has been able to build a large number of professional photographers everyday. All of us has become dependent on various websites for clothing, cosmetics, food etc., and this has created a huge demand for good photographers in various commercial fields.
Other fields such as sports photography, wildlife photography, pet photography, etc., has also become very popular over the years.
Work as a Photographer in India
Now that you know about the widening scope of photography and how bright its future is, let us get into the basics of how can you start working as a photographer in India.
If you want to make your career in photography, first you need to stay updated with the recent techniques and equipment.
In the old days, people used to learn photography on their own. The increasing spirit to learn photography professionally has led in the construction of numerous institutions which offer courses which can train you in the right direction.
You can even get a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in photography.
You can also apply for the various diploma courses for which the duration can vary from 3 months to a year.
Given below is a list of some institutes that provide UG diploma/degree in photography:
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
- Nation Institute of Design, Multiple Locations
- National Institute of Photography, Mumbai
- Delhi College of Photography, Delhi
- Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai
- Mass Communication Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
- Symbiosis School of Photography, Pune
- Raghu Rai Centre of Photography, Gurgaon
- Indian Institute of Digital Arts & Animation, Kolkata
Given below is a list of institutes that provide PG diploma/degree in photography:
- Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai
- The Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation, Kolkata
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
- Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida
You can find more information about these institutes in there own websites. You can easily access them through the internet.
Know the Basics before you Work as a Photographer
If you end up getting enrolled in a prestigious institute, you will start understanding all the basics of photography.
The basics include topics such as Framing (Mid-shot, Close-up, Aerial shot, etc.), Rule of thirds, which is the alignment of the subject in a way to produce a more engaging image, Shutter Speed, also known as exposure time that helps create dramatic effects by freezing action or blurring motion etc.
Understanding all these basic concepts will help you to take interesting and balanced photographs.
Participate in suitable Competitions
Now that you have undergone the above steps, it is time to practice your craft.
You can start by participating in relevant competitions to grow as a photographer. You will recognize all your strengths and weaknesses through these competitions.
Regular practice will make your craft shine like a mirror in the long run, so keep practicing!
Quality competitions provide you a good platform to showcase your talent and skills. You will get a chance to get evaluated and critiqued by the people are already a part of this field.
By working with professionals you will get a chance to listen to their suggestions and advices which will help you go a long way in the future.
You can also do internships, explore freelance opportunities, work for cafes and products or you can take up work in any genre of photography you’re interested in.
Working of different projects will provide you great exposure and the correct opportunity to meet and establish relationship with like-minded people.
Create a Niche
Now that you are done with participating in the relevant competitions and have engaged yourself in a number of freelance work, it is time to step forward to the next level.
To work as a photographer, it is essential to keep on experimenting with different genres that allow you to gain relevant knowledge about a specific area of photography.
You can start with covering a social event which will give you great exposure to candid photography.
You will gain knowledge related to fashion photography, when you will work with models.
What our suggestion is that you must keep on exploring the areas you can. You never know, what turn out to be great for you.
Choose your area of strength and build your expertise properly. In the future, all of this will help you to build a niche in the chosen area of photography.
Create a Portfolio
It is time to create a suitable portfolio which can showcase your skills nicely. A portfolio, blog or website can be easily turn into a good marketing material for you.
If your portfolio is well created, it can easily communicate your abilities, skills and your views to your clients. A nice portfolio can give you a professional outlook as well.
With your website or blog, you can increase your chance of getting noticed by the public eye. There are a lot of websites out there where you can learn to create your own portfolio, such as Fabrik, Folio, FolioHD, Portfoliobox, SmugMug, format.com, 500px, Paulakluth, ASCD, 1X etc.
Importance of proper Equipment
A photographer is incomplete without his proper equipment. It is essential that you pay extra attention while purchasing the proper equipment for your photography business.
Professionals have advised to buy an IMAX Cameras or good DSLR cameras as these equipment can totally impact the angle and quality of your pictures.
The lens is also an important piece of equipment that you are advised to buy as it can provide you different shot options. You can also consider purchasing the zoom lens for wildlife photography. Go for wide-angle lens in case of landscape photography.
Choose the appropriate lens depending upon your choice of photography genre.
Some Additional Tips
Consider these following tips:
- Begin with a point-and-shoot camera, then gradually shift to DSLR, once you are confirmed of your passion.
- Try cameras from other brands such as Canon, Nikon or Sony, which will allow you to play around with various manual settings, and deliver intricate, high-definition pictures. The price of these cameras can range from INR 25,00-30,000.
- It is suggested to sample a few cameras and lenses before making a huge investment in other expensive cameras.
- Photography is a technical field, so learn good precision and techniques to run your photography business properly.
- Knowing your passion is the most important thing. If you will do what you love, you are eventually to hit success in the future.
So, this was our article on work as a photographer in India. If you liked our content, do not forget to comment down below. Also, you can check out our other articles on similar topics.