No formal education is required for a photography apprenticeship, but training can improve chances. Approach independent photographers or companies with a portfolio of your best work and be willing to do unpaid internships to gain professional experience.
No formal education is required to gain an apprenticeship in photography, although some training will improve your chances of securing a position. Taking photography courses at a local community college, for example, can provide you with the foundation of skills and knowledge needed to be an effective learner, although many skills can be learned through apprenticeships or simply by taking pictures yourself. Whichever path you choose, the first step you will need to take to gain an apprenticeship in photography is to learn as much about the craft as possible and practice it regularly.
A photography apprenticeship can be obtained by approaching an independent photographer in your area or requesting an apprenticeship in a magazine, newspaper, website or other major media outlet. If you choose to pursue a photography apprenticeship offered by an independent photographer, this apprenticeship is likely to be informal; you may or may not get paid, and the photographer asks you to perform various jobs related to photography, as well as running a business. If you intend to run your own photography business, you should seek out this apprenticeship from an independent photographer. If, however, you would like to work with a news agency or other type of business, then you should look for internships with such businesses or companies.
The requirements for securing a photography apprenticeship vary depending on the person or company offering it. Most photographers or companies require you to submit a portfolio to be considered for the position. This means that you will need to spend a significant amount of time taking photos yourself to create this portfolio, and you will need to print them out and assemble them into a portfolio or assemble them online on your own personal website. Regardless of how you present your portfolio, it should represent your best work and indicate that you have a basic understanding of photographic techniques.
Try to have a flexible schedule and be willing to do an unpaid internship. Remember that while you are not getting paid, you are gaining professional experience and developing the knowledge and skills to become a self-employed photographer, which can be more valuable than a salary. Having a flexible schedule means being able to accommodate the photographer for work at odd hours during the day or week. The more sessions you show up, the more you earn from the internship.
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