Press photographer

Press photographer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Even more than journalists, press photographers have to have an ‘eye’ for a story. They need to be standing in the right place to get the right shot in order to maintain job satisfaction.

The job typically entails:

• setting up photographic equipment
• taking photographs of people and events
• processing and developing films
• preparing proofs for publication
• liaising with other staff such as artists and journalists
• satisfying editorial briefs
• researching and making contacts
• promoting the business
• negotiating prices and fees
• undertaking relevant background research for features and articles
• administration.

Typical employers of press photographers

• newspapers
• magazines
• publishing houses
• television companies
• photo agencies.

Most press photographers are self-employed or work on a freelance basis - selling photographs to agencies and picture libraries or directly to media organisations. A common route into recruitment is to work as an assistant photographer whilst building up a network of contacts and a bank of skills.

Vacancies appear online, in newspapers and specialist publications such as the British Journal of Photography and the Press Gazette. Directories that may be helpful include the Independent Photography Directory and the Freelance Photographers Market Handbook.

Many jobs receive little advertising and are often filled via personal contacts so perseverance, networking, job shadowing and speculative applications are essential. Aptitude, relevant experience, technical abilities and training are often considered more important by employers than degree subject studied.

Qualifications and training required

Degrees in photography, art, design, film, television, or media studies qualifications can be advantageous. Part-time photography courses (such as City and Guilds) can offer a useful starting point. The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) also runs a press photography pre-entry course.

Key skills for press photographers

• an eye for good composition
• a strong network of contacts
• adventurousness
• strong IT skills, particularly familiarity with software such as Adobe Photoshop

A full clean driving licence is essential for travelling between stories.