What Can You Do With A Photography Degree?

If you have a creative mind, an eye for detail, and a passion for capturing precious moments in time around you, then photography may offer you an enriching and fulfilling career path.

While often just associated with freelancing, journalism, or reporting, these ‘arms’ of the industry are just a small portion of the avenues photography can offer. In fact, pursuing a photography degree can unlock numerous opportunities for you beyond school, as you embark on your university journey and thereafter, across a diverse range of industries and niches.

The demand for skilled photographers and visual creatives has grown in recent years, given the prevalence of social media and digital advertising.

From marketing and website design to fashion, PR and editorial, businesses of all shapes and sizes actively seek creative photographers with innovative ideas, capable of effectively communicating messages through powerful engaging imagery. Even through the pandemic, the estimated number of photographers (86,800 by Q3 2023) throughout the UK has remained stable, suggesting that it’s still a lucrative and prosperous career.

You’ve heard the expression before – a picture paints a thousand words.

Photography Jobs: Competitive but Rewarding

The global photography industry is expected to grow by 3.3% by 2026 and reach a $49.54 billion valuation by 2027. Therefore, any suggestion that the industry is dying is mere conjecture.

Nevertheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that photography is a competitive field, and landing your dream job may require patience and persistence. However, neither this nor the advent of AI image-creation tools should dissuade you from pursuing this exciting career path. Photography professionals often find themselves immersed in a collaborative and passionate community, spanning various industries and disciplines.

“A photography degree equips graduates with invaluable skills that transcend the traditional boundaries of the industry,” says Craig Chapman, Senior SEO Manager at photography eCommerce retailer MPB.

MPB’s global network has enabled creative individuals to exchange, buy and sell equipment, as well as share ideas, inspiration, tips, and techniques, to help each of them find their ‘voice’.

“At MPB, we recognise the value of visual storytelling and the power of imagery,” Craig continues. “Photographers with a strong technical foundation and a keen creative eye are highly sought after and embraced by companies ranging from wholesale manufacturers and logistics providers to commercial enterprises in the fashion and sports industry. The photography space is huge and competitive, no doubt, but I would advise that, ironically, even with AI so popular, we need more blossoming creatives coming through the woodwork.”

If you pursue a photography degree, you can find yourself learning valuable skills applicable to a whole range of areas and specialisms. Let’s look at some of them in a bit more detail.

Advertising and Marketing

Digital marketers, advertisers, PR companies, and even businesses with an in-house marketing team will often rely heavily on compelling visuals to capture their audience’s attention and convey messages effectively. Marketing as a role is very dynamic and constantly evolving, but possessing strong visual imagery skills could pay dividends.

As a photography graduate, you could find yourself working as:

1. Advertising Photographer: Collaborate with agencies and brands to create visually striking campaigns that resonate with their target customers.
2. Product Photographer: Showcase products in their best light, capturing every intricate detail with precision.
3. Social Media Content Creator: Develop visually engaging content for brands’ social media platforms, helping them connect with their audience and drive engagement.

Excelling in these roles will involve having a solid understanding of camera composition, lighting, editing, and post-production while being able to interpret and execute creative briefs. Strong communication and interpersonal skills will be highly sought-after too as you begin to work with clients on a contractual or freelance basis.

Fashion and Editorial

Fashion brands, magazines, newspapers, and other similar companies are always on the lookout for talented photographers who can bring their unique visions to life. Whether it’s for a glossy print publication or an online resource, photography is key to making products shine.

Potential long-term careers in this realm include (but are not limited to):

1. Fashion Photographer: This will involve working with a range of people such as models, stylists, and designers to create stunning editorial spreads and advertising campaigns for fashion brands and magazines.
2. Editorial Photographer: You can find yourself entrusted directly by publications (both print and online), magazines, newspapers and other resources to tell captivating stories through compelling imagery.
3. Photojournalist: A fast-paced role that involves the real-time visual documentation of events, news, and human stories. News publications and agencies may want timely and precise imagery while working in tandem with reporters and print journalists.

Success in the fashion or editorial photography realm requires the ability to work diligently under pressure and understand exactly what messages can and should be conveyed through visuals.

Visual Communications and Design

Photography is an essential component of design, branding, and visual identity, making it a valuable asset in numerous fields. Branding and photography often are seamlessly intertwined, and a degree in the latter can open the door to a range of opportunities such as:

1. Graphic Design: Collaborate with designers, marketers, and other creatives to create visually striking layouts, illustrations, and graphics for print and digital media.
2. Web Design: Contribute high-quality imagery to enhance the user experience and visual appeal of websites and other online platforms.
3. Video Production: Capture stunning footage and stills for corporate videos, interviews, product demos, and other multimedia projects. This can also extend to animations and 3D visuals.

In these roles, you’ll need to have a strong grasp of design principles and visual communication techniques, as well as the ability to work seamlessly with other creative professionals. Over time with your photography degree, you may find yourself branching into the principles and strategies behind image use, which will prove valuable here.

Other Potential Career Paths

The versatility of a photography degree opens doors to a wide range of other sectors as well. Here are some additional career paths you could explore once you’ve obtained your degree:

• Art Photography: Pursue your passion for artistic expression and showcase your work in galleries, exhibitions, and private collections.
• Event Photography: Capture special moments at weddings, corporate events, expos, conferences, and celebrations, preserving memories for clients.
• Travel Photography: Explore the world and document its beauty, potentially contributing to publications, charities and non-profits, and travel agencies.
• Property and Architecture Photography: Capture stunning images that highlight a property or listed building’s best features and appeal to potential buyers or visitors.
• Sports and Live Music Photography: Capture brief moments in time during a high-profile sporting event or live music show, allowing punters to revisit them and reminisce.

Key Skills to Highlight and Preparations to Make

To stand out in the competitive photography job market and increase your chances of landing your dream role, take note of the following final pointers.

• Build a portfolio of work that accentuates your visual storytelling abilities. This is the most important asset you can have when applying for roles, to help you stand out.
• Learn how to use different camera equipment, including lenses, tripods, lighting fixtures, and other technical tools. Experiment and find your niche.
• Show a willingness to apply yourself in different industries. Whether you veer towards sport, art, fashion, or anything else, consider applying your craft to broaden your experience.
• Be sure to emphasise your creativity, attention to detail, time management, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability skills on your CV.
• Take on projects for free to gain experience and refine your skills.
• Don’t view rejection or feedback as negatives – everybody starts somewhere. Accept constructive criticism and learn from the experience. It happens to veterans in the industry even now, so don’t take it to heart.

A photography degree opens up a world of exciting career opportunities across various industries and sectors. The key to success lies in being willing and able to learn while trying to find your unique voice. A degree and career in this field will, fundamentally, give you the freedom to follow wherever your imagination and camera take you.