Photographer
A professional skilled at taking pictures or photographs with a camera.
Overview
A Photographer is a professional who is skilled at taking pictures or photographs with a camera.
Where they work
- Media Houses
- Entertainment industry
- Wedding consultancies
- Photo studios among others
Work environment
The job entails both indoor and outdoor work. Part-time work, contractual and freelancing jobs are available. As a photographer, you will have flexible working hours and days, depending on the requirement. You are likely to work on holidays and weekends. Entrepreneurship: you can choose to be a freelance photographer or start your own business.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are a creative person
- You have an eye for detail
- You are good at working independently
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree in Photography
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Diploma in Photography
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a B.Voc. in Media Studies/Photography and then opt for a PG Diploma in Photography.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Fine Arts. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Delhi College of Photography, New Delhi
- National Institute of Photography, Kolkata, West Bengal
- National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Lucknow University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Allahabad University, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
- Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Creative Hut Institute of Photography, Thekkummattam, Kerala
- Light and Life Academy, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
- AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Center, New Delhi
- Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- CMR University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- RIMT University, Gobindgarh, Punjab
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Trainee/Assistant Photographer
- 2Photographer, General
- 3Director of Photography
- 4Photographer Head
- 5Chief/General Manager
Expected income
₹15,000 – ₹70,000 per month depending on experience
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Photojournalist
Captures powerful images to tell news stories and document events as visual narratives.
Cameraperson
Operates the film or video camera that captures the footage for a film or TV show.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Raghu Rai — Known as the 'Father of Indian Photography', he was among the early pioneers of photojournalism in India who is best known for his contributions in documenting various socio-political events such as the Bangladesh Brutalities (1971) and Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984). In 1962, he started learning photography from his elder brother Sharampal Chowdhry, better known as S Paul, and began his journey as a photographer in 1965 at the age of 23.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 133 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3kswE0t
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre is part of Jamia Millia Islamia, a central university, but is printed under private institutes on this card.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.