High School
While in high school, take as many art classes and photography classes that are available. Chemistry is useful for understanding developing and printing processes. You can learn about photo editing software and digital photography in computer and art classes, and business classes will help if you are considering a freelance career.
Postsecondary Training
A college education is not required to become a photographer, although college training probably offers the most promising assurance of success if you decide to pursue a career in fields such as industrial, news, or scientific photography. There are degree programs at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's levels. Many, however, become photographers with no formal education beyond high school.
Professional Photographers of America offers a merit degree program in which photographers can earn the following designations: master of photography, photographic craftsman, and master artist.
To become a photographer, you should have a broad technical understanding of photography plus as much practical experience with cameras as possible. Take many different kinds of photographs with a variety of cameras and subjects. Learn how to develop photographs and use photo-editing software.
Other Education or Training
Continuing education events, seminars, classes, and other activities are offered by many professional associations, including American Photographic Artists, American Society of Media Photographers, American Society of Picture Professionals, and the Professional Photographers of America. Contact these organizations for more information.
- Art Directors
- Art Teachers
- Artists
- Camera Operators
- Cartoonists
- Cinematographers and Directors of Photography
- Comic Book Artists
- Copywriters
- Corporate Community Relations Directors
- Demographers
- Digital Designers
- Exhibit Designers
- Fashion Designers
- Fashion Illustrators
- Fashion Photographers
- Fashion Stylists
- Film and Television Directors
- Food Photographers
- Fund-Raisers
- Furniture Designers
- Gallery Owners and Directors
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Graphic Designers
- Greeting Card Designers and Writers
- Hedge Fund Investor Relations Specialists
- Illustrators
- Interior Designers and Decorators
- Jewelers and Jewelry Repairers
- Makeup Artists
- Market Research Analysts
- Marketing Consultants
- Media Planners and Buyers
- Media Relations Specialists
- Medical Illustrators and Photographers
- Motion Graphics Artists
- Multimedia Artists and Animators
- Non-Fungible Token Artists
- Online Reputation Managers
- Photo Editors
- Photographers
- Photographic Equipment Technicians
- Photographic Laboratory Workers
- Photography Instructors
- Photojournalists
- Political Consultants
- Press Secretaries
- Production Designers and Art Directors
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Public Relations Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Publicists
- Social Media Influencers
- Social Media Workers
- Sports Photographers
- Sports Publicists
- Tattoo Artists
- Video Game Art Directors
- Visual Interaction Designers
- Webmasters