Career in Photography: Course, Colleges, Eligibility and Salary

Knowing that you want to build a career in photography is a good point to start your journey; this realization comes from photographing, looking at the works of other photographers and identifying and imagining a future in the field for yourself. For a lot of aspiring and upcoming photographers, the urge to do something creative and to work with visuals acts as the starting point to consider a career in photography.


Given how competitive and saturated photography has become, only knowing that you want to be a photographer may not be enough to build a career in photography. A good photographer must be able to wear several hats and have many tricks under his/her belt.


Photograph for GQ Magazine. Photographer: Sahil Chauhan (Batch of 2018 – 19)


Why you Should Choose Photography as a Career


Photography is quickly emerging as a career choice for many young and aspiring individuals with a passion for photographs. Young photographers are motivated by their passion for image-making and visuals yet, like every other career, building a career in the world of photography comes with its own set of challenges. In a world saturated with photographs and image-makers, the biggest challenge lies in standing out. However, a photographer with a strong passion, rigor, voice and style can make it!



Photograph for GQ Magazine. Photographer: Sahil Chauhan (Batch of 2018 – 19)


Photography Career Scope in India


The most common career in photography is that of a photographer. There are many genres in photography that one can find their niche in, ranging from wedding photography to travel, wildlife, documentary, fashion, editorial, food, landscape, and more. Photographers usually find work on a freelance basis, or work for studios, media agencies, magazines, newspapers, advertising agencies, NGOs and publishing houses.


These fields are very competitive and demanding and require the photographer to be very skilled and efficient at their job. A photographer must have a good command over composition, light, and more. Read our post on how to make a good photograph to find out more.


Photograph for Chanakya Café. Photographer: Azra Sadr (Batch of 2016 – 17)


Top Photography Courses in India


The field of photography offers many opportunities for those who are inclined and passionate about visuals and image-making. Although the journey can be difficult, it can also be very rewarding and satisfying. Just like making a successful and thriving career in any other field, one must also work hard and focus on building themselves to build a career.

  1. 12-month Diploma in Professional Photography
  2. 2-month Foundation Course in Photography
  3. Studio Photography Course

Skills Required for Photography Courses:


Photographers must have technical know-how and an artistic vision. Some skills they must possess include: 

  • Aesthetic style
  • Operating a camera
  • Eye for detail
  • Communication skills
  • Teamworking skills
  • Rigor and passion for their craft 
  • Creative approach towards work 
  • Observational skills and attentiveness


Photography Courses: Eligibility Criteria


In today’s times, when everyone can be a photographer, to stand-out some skills a photographer must possess include – 

  • a good-quality DSLR camera – preferably a full-frame camera and knowledge on how to operate it
  • good grasp over image-processing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom
  • the ability to make videos along with still images
  • basic knowledge of sound mixing
  • good knowledge of image-printing
  • knowing how to read an image
  • the ability to make good compositions and tell a story or evoke a feeling through photographs 


Birth Photography. Photographer: Ayushi Guwalani (Batch of 2016 – 17)


Top 5 Photography Colleges in India:


A good way to acquire and enhance these skills are through joining a photography institute. There are several institutes across the country that are offering photography courses. These range from introduction courses to advance courses which equip an upcoming photographer to be a better image-maker. Courses are offered by several institutes like:

  1. Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC)
  2. AJK Mass Communication Research Centre
  3. Light and Life Academy
  4. National Institute of Design
  5. Sir JJ Institute of Applied Arts



Photography Course Fee:


The fees of photography courses offered in India vary according to the specializations, location of the institute, equipment and infrastructure. However, on an average a student would have to spend somewhere between ₹2 Lakhs to ₹2.5 Lakhs per annum for a professional photography course.


Career Options in Photography

After completing the course, one can look at a variety of genres to work in such as – 

  • Editorial Photography
  • Photojournalism
  • Documentary Photography
  • Fashion Photography
  • Wedding Photography
  • Sports Photography
  • Travel and Landscape Photography 
  • Product Photography
  • Wildlife Photography

Someone who is interested in photography and visuals but does not want to be a photographer can also look at other career choices like: 

  • Art Therapist
  • Photo Editor
  • Photo Researcher 
  • Post Processing
  • Writing for Photography
  • Curator
  • Graphic Designer
  • Advertising Art Director 
  • Magazine Images Editor
  • Newspaper Images Editor
  • Filmmaker
  • Archivist


Photography Career - Salary Expectation


India is a rapidly growing economy with many opportunities for photographers and image-makers. The earning of a photographer varies significantly depending on your portfolio and your marketing and communication skills. A photographer can expect anywhere between Rs. 10,000/- to Rs 10,00,000/- for an assignment.  

A successful photographer is one who constantly works on enhancing their skill and is also entrepreneurial and passionate.


Build Your Photography Portfolio:


Following this, a good photographer must build a rich portfolio and practice consistently to improve and enhance their art and craft. Aspiring photographers can also intern or apprentice with established photographers to learn more about how the industry works, and how one can build a successful and thriving career. This is also a good opportunity to build your portfolio.



About the author:


- Gulmehar Dhillon

Gulmehar Dhillon is an independent photographer based in New Delhi. She completed the Diploma in Photography at SACAC in 2020 and joined the department as a program coordinator. Gulmehar's practice is motivated by her questions about the prevailing injustices and inequalities in the society.