Key takeaways
- To become a photographer, formal education is not necessary but it can prove to be beneficial
- The 3 requirements to be a photographer include:
- A blend of crucial skills, particularly technical skills, soft skills, and business skills
- A well-balanced photography gear and equipment that includes cameras as well as lighting essentials
- A professional circle or network to keep you in touch and well-connected
- What type of education is required to be a photographer?
- Not required, but recommended education or academic exposure includes:
- Bachelor’s degrees in fine arts, media, communication, journalism, and advertising
- Industry-recognized certifications
- Specialization-specific workshops for practical experience
- Not required, but recommended education or academic exposure includes:
Many young people are now trying to build a serious career in photography. This is because the industry is advancing rapidly with new technologies and techniques that make it so interesting and rewarding.
If you too, are interested in starting a career in photography, then you must be wondering what you need to become a photographer. From education requirements to photography gear to future steps you need to take, here is everything you need to know!
What do you need to become a photographer?
Here is a detailed answer to “What do you need to become a photographer?”
Crucial skills
Even if you are not an experienced photographer or have a professional degree up your sleeve, you can still become a successful photographer if you have the right skills. So, to simply answer your questions “what do you need to become a photographer?”, the answer is a blend of technical, transferable/soft skills, and business skills.
Here is a helpful list of crucial skills needed to become a photographer:
- Visual storytelling
- Camera handling with manual settings
- Basic post-production and editing
- Composition and framing
- Understanding of light and color theory
- Handling lighting gear and equipment
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Client services
- Clear communication
- Artistic judgement
- Knowledge of both studio and natural lighting setups
- Time management
Photography gear
It would be a misleading answer to “what do you need to become a photographer” if we do not mention photography gear.
How is anyone expected to produce high-quality and professional-level images without having any relevant gear and equipment? Therefore, you need at least the most basic levels of photography gear without which it would be near impossible to capture images.
However, many people confuse this with owning expensive gear. In recent statistics, we found out that only 7% of the images captured are produced by proper professional-grade cameras. 92.% of the images are captured through mobile phones.
This is a clear indication of how you can make the most out of any available gear, such as portable battery-powered lights or small-scale reflection papers for creating studio setups. Nonetheless, a generic list of basic photography gear is important for anybody who is simply taking a fresh start.
So, here is a list of gear that is part of the requirements to be a photographer:
- Digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
- Lenses, particularly prime lenses
- Memory cards and storage devices like hard disks
- Tripods, monopods, and other kinds of camera stands
- Camera bag for protection and transport
- Extra batteries and backups
- Reflectors and other types of light modifiers
A professional network
Building a strong professional network is crucial for career growth, client acquisition, and learning opportunities. Many photography jobs come through referrals, collaborations, and industry connections rather than traditional job postings.
A strong network may include:
- Fellow photographers with similar interests
- Coaches and mentors who have greater experience than you
- Clients and repeat customers who can also help you connect with more clients
- Creative agencies that may require your work on a project basis
- Event planners, designers, and marketers
- Photography communities, student clubs, online forums, and professional associations
A college degree in this matter helps a lot, as you get exposure to teachers and seniors, faculty members, as well as alumni who are already working in the industry.
Education needed to be a photographer – Degrees and certifications
Becoming a photographer does not always require formal education. A formal education is mostly a requirement for mainstream fields and careers such as entrepreneurship and marketing. However, for creative fields like photography, sometimes all you need is a high school diploma. In fact, the BLS’s occupational outlook reports that most entry-level jobs simply require a high-school diploma.
However, it goes without saying that structured learning through professional programs allows strengthened concepts and capabilities. Moreover, an accredited college degree in photography or a related field significantly improves technical skills, creative vision, and employability. Many professional photographers combine academic qualifications with certifications and hands-on workshops to stay competitive in the field.
Let’s learn what each level of education has to offer.
A bachelor’s degree
We do know that a bachelor’s degree is not a standard education needed to be a photographer. However, it does offer an edge to those who are enrolled in it or graduated already. The benefits of having a photography bachelor’s degree are:
- In-depth learning and understanding of theoretical as well as practical principles
- Access to excellent facilities and equipment such as cameras and labs due to college facilitation
- Exposure to seasoned and experienced professionals through faculty and other college events
- Good start to career with access to college job boards, associations, student clubs, and career fairs
- Higher earning potential as employers may consider a degree a level-up than candidates with no degree
- Students gain critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork skills
- Chance to make portfolio-ready projects through college coursework
Here are some different degrees you can opt for to start as a photographer:
| College majors you can choose from | How it works for a photography career |
| Fine arts degree | Develops creativity, composition, and visual storytelling |
| Photography/Digital photography | Teaches camera techniques, lighting, and photo editing |
| Cinematography/Film studies | Builds strong skills in lighting, framing, and narrative visuals |
| Media studies/Media science/Media and communication | Focuses on visual media, content creation, and digital platforms |
| Journalism/Mass communication | Ideal for photojournalism and documentary photography |
| Graphic Design/Visual art | Strengthens composition, color theory, and image manipulation |
Finally, you should consider getting a bachelor’s degree if you are:
- Interested in learning advanced technical photography techniques
- Want exposure to professional-level equipment
- Would like to start your career with some mentorship
- Want to become a photojournalist
Recognized certifications
Another form of education needed to be a photographer that helps enhance their employability and overall skillset is recognized certifications. Luckily for aspiring photographers and fresh graduates, there are numerous officially recognized organizations that offer excellent certifications, such as the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
To simply put, a certification:
- Is useful for self-taught photographers
- Are short-format education programs, typically offered online
- Sometimes require examinations to enhance the proof of your capabilities
- Excellent for showing dedication and motivation
- May be necessary for specific jobs
- Enhances the chances of getting high-paying clients for freelance photographers
Read more: Tips to succeed as a freelance photographer
Finally, here is a list of some popular certifications that you can look into:
| Certification | Issuing Organization |
| Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) | Professional Photographers of America (PPA) |
| Adobe Certified Professional – Photoshop | Adobe |
| Adobe Certified Professional – Visual Design | Adobe |
| Professional Photography Certification | New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) |
| Certified Forensic Photographer | International Association for Identification (IAI) |
| Registered Biological Photographer (RBP) | BioCommunications Association (BCA) |
| Master Photographer Certification | National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) |
| Digital Photography certification | Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design |
Completing workshops
Just like certifications, workshops also have similar functions. However, while certifications can last for days, weeks, months, and sometimes a year, workshops happen on a day-to-day basis. In some cases, a photography workshop may be for a few hours, while others may occur consecutively over the period of 3 or 4 days. The duration varies based on the course material and the number of participants, among other factors.
However, workshops are a great way to not only learn photography but also discover industry-leading names and interact with like-minded people. This kickstarts your professional network, helping you even reach out to people who may have suitable employment for you.
In addition to this, workshops are generally much more casual, with focus on practical or hands-on learning. For example, a street photography workshop may require you to roam streets with the rest of the class and capture images under guidance and mentorship.
Some benefits of attending workshops are:
- Real-world shooting experience
- Direct mentorship from industry professionals
- Exposure to latest photography trends and tools
- Networking opportunities
Top photography schools to help you get started
| Rank | College name | In-state tuition per academic year | Out-of-state tuition per academic year |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $64,310 | |
| 2 | Stanford University | $67,731 | |
| 3 | Yale University | $69,900 | |
| 4 | New York University | $72,082 | |
| 5 | University of California, Berkeley | $17,478 | $55,080 |
| 6 | Taylor University | $51,918 | |
| 7 | University of Kentucky | $13,908 | $35,164 |
| 8 | Washington University | $68,240 | |
| 9 | University of Connecticut | $17,010 | $39,678 |
| 10 | Oklahoma State University | $13,920 | $29,440 |
Note: Data is as of January 2026.
Online degrees in photography
Alternatively, you can also explore the option to get a bachelor’s degree in photography through online programs. These degrees are great for people who work full-time jobs, are returning adult students, are parents, or have other commitments.
Here is a quick look at the top online college programs for photography degrees:
| College name | Program name | Tuition cost |
| Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design | Online Bachelor of Fine Arts – Photography | $20,400 per academic year |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Bachelor’s in Digital Photography | $342 per credit |
| Arizona State University | Online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art – Digital Photography | $13,118 for in-state
$16,376 for out-of-state (source) |
| Liberty University Online | BS in Digital Design – Online Photography Degree | $390 per hour |
Note: Data is as of January 2026.
Read more: Is a digital online photography degree worth it?
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be a photographer?
There are no strict rules governing the education needed for photography. This applies to a college degree as well, be it a bachelor’s or an associate’s. Reports by BLS suggest that photography entry-level jobs require a high-school diploma on average. Therefore, you do not need a degree to be a photographer, but it can help you get an edge and learn fundamentals in-depth.
How can I be a photographer?
To become a photographer, you can self-learn camera basics and composition through platforms like YouTube and Coursera, or find photography workshops and/or photography lessons near you. Moreover, experts recommend beginners to practice regularly, focusing on building a strong portfolio, and gradually investing in essential photography gear. Once you have a hang of photography, your next step should be mastering editing software, and promoting your work through networking and online platforms. Consistent practice and real-world experience are key to success.
What education is needed to become a photographer?
No specific education is needed to become a photographer. You can start as a photographer, find entry-level jobs, or land freelance photography gigs even with a high school diploma. The main requirements to become a photographer are technical skills, creativity, artistic judgement, camera handling, and post-production or editing capabilities.
Learn more: How to start as a photographer?
What training is needed to become a photographer?
Training to become a photographer can include formal education like a bachelor’s degree in photography, fine arts, or media. On top of that, steps to become a photographer include getting industry certifications such as CPP or Adobe Certified Professional, and hands-on workshops. You can also gain practical experience and training with cameras, lighting, and editing software by working as an assistant, or at internships and other such programs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the steps to becoming a photographer are quite different from what we usually see in other conventional fields such as in finance or the medical field. However, while the steps and requirements to be a photographer are different, they can be rather simpler to achieve.
For example, a professional photography career does not require a bachelor’s degree. Although keep in mind that further advancement in the career, or to enhance your employability, a bachelor’s degree in a related field can be truly beneficial.