Press photographer

As a press photographer, you'll take photographs to record news, current events and lifestyle stories. You'll aim to capture the best images to document an event, tell a story or convey a message and support the printed word.

The pictures you take are then reproduced in newspapers, magazines and online. Press photography is also known as editorial photography.

If you wish, you can develop your role into photojournalism, using both images and words to investigate and tell a story. Photojournalists often work for magazines rather than newspapers and can work on a project over a long period of time.

News photography of any kind is highly competitive, and you'll need to work hard to stand out.

Types of press photographer

Working as a press photographer, you could specialise in areas including:

• current events
• design
• entertainment
• lifestyle
• politics
• sport
• war.

What does a press photographer do?

As a press photographer, you'll need to:

• work closely with other people concerned with a story, such as journalists and picture editors, and agree on the photographic requirements for it
• handle admin arrangements such as timing, press cards, transport and access to restricted areas, venues and events
• photograph events or personalities, and note details for photographic captions
• add relevant keywords to image files for picture libraries so that the images can be recognised in search engines
• ensure all pictures are appropriate, processed, catalogued and ready in time to meet deadlines
• edit, prepare and send digital photographs for newspaper publication to deadline
• maintain up-to-date knowledge about current news stories and any specialist areas
• source freelance photographers for a job or existing photographs if pushed to meet a deadline
• arrange lighting and other requirements for magazine studio shoots
• check the weather forecast and light values of places beforehand
• maintain photographic and electronic communications equipment.

As a freelance press photographer, you'll also:

• research and anticipate relevant events
• negotiate the sale of specific shots
• handle all business activities, as well as establishing and maintaining contacts.

How much does a press photographer earn?

• Starting salaries for press photographers vary hugely and can be in the range of £20,000 to £24,000.
• With more experience, salaries can rise to between £30,000 and £40,000.
• Highly experienced photographers or specialised press photographers can earn up to £50,000+.

Salaries vary widely according to the experience and reputation of the photographer, the employer or if they are freelance, and the location and the type of photography. Salaries also reflect the circulation of a newspaper. Quality magazines may offer higher rates. Experienced photographers can earn a flat fee when commissioned to cover a specific event.

Negotiating a reasonable freelance fee is complex and it may be worth joining the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which offers guidance on rates and contracts - see the NUJ Freelance Fees Guide for more details.

Freelance press photographers usually charge between £100 to £500 per day. When calculating fees, remember to consider overheads for equipment, which can be up to around £100 per day. Freelance press journalists often sell images to picture libraries or agencies whose daily rates vary from around £75 to £180.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a press photographer work?

You need to be where the story is, so expect to work unsocial hours including evenings and weekends. For example, if sport is your specialist area, you'll be required to attend evening and weekend fixtures. Time off in lieu is generally given.

How do I become a press photographer?

A pre-entry qualification is not essential for a career in press photography but can be advantageous, as it offers formal training and demonstrates your motivation for the work.

The Diploma in Journalism course, run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), includes a Photography for Journalists module, which the NCTJ recommends is studied alongside Videojournalism for digital platforms.

Although this area of work is open to all graduates and holders of a diploma, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• film/video/television
• graphic design/illustration
• media studies
• photography/photo imaging.

The Association of Photographers (AOP) has a list of accredited courses run by colleges and universities in the UK.

British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) - accredits professional qualifications including a Level 4 Photography Apprenticeship with JGA.

What skills does a press photographer need?

You'll need to show:

• assertiveness with courtesy when negotiating fees
• awareness of the positions taken by the publication you are applying to
• creativity and an eye for a picture
• excellent technical skills, using digital and non-digital cameras and industry-standard software such as Photoshop
• initiative when reacting quickly to situations
• video skills, taking into account video packages on various newspaper websites
• the ability to work under pressure to meet tight publication deadlines.

Press photographer work experience

Competition is fierce. With many freelance photographers competing in the marketplace, you can expect to be up against a lot of experienced and talented candidates when applying for an in-house press photographer role. Being proactive and tenacious, networking and having a thick skin, are fundamental to breaking into this industry.

Pre-entry experience is essential, and developing the necessary technical skills and portfolio before approaching picture editors is vital. Work experience on a local paper can offer the opportunity of work shadowing and developing informal contacts, so contact them directly.

Try getting photographs published in local newspapers on a freelance basis. Freelance work may be followed by commissioned pieces or paid shifts.

Build a portfolio of work that you can show editors and potential employers. It's a good idea to send some of your best pictures speculatively to picture editors and photo agencies, tailoring your selection to their style, and following this up with a phone call.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employers press photographers?

Most press photographers work for one of the provincial daily or evening papers, one of the weeklies, or an agency where targeted, speculative applications can be effective.

Most commonly, press photographers are self-employed, working either entirely on their own or in a small business with other photographers.

In any press photographer role, your photographic skills are crucial, but if you work for yourself you'll also need the skills to run a business.

As a freelance photographer, you can also sell photographs to picture libraries or agencies; for a list, see the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies (BAPLA). The AOP provides invoice and licence templates to protect your work.

Look for job vacancies and potential commissions at:

• British Journal of Photography
• Creative Opportunities
• HoldtheFrontPage
• Journo Resources
• NCTJ Jobs Board
• Journalism.co.uk.

For information on further sources, see the News Media Association.

You can also apply directly for jobs on news publication websites, such as the BBC.

Where can a career in press photography lead?

Training varies between employers and may include on-the-job training, in-house schemes and shadowing experienced photographers before taking on your own assignments. Keeping your technical skills up to date is important throughout your career, particularly as digital photography, image editing and online publishing continue to develop.

On local newspapers, you may progress from junior to senior press photographer and then to chief photographer or picture editor. Management or team leadership training can help if you want to move into supervisory roles.

Other career options include:

• becoming a picture editor or working in a picture library
• moving between newspapers and magazines to broaden your experience
• switching to a national newspaper or progressing to more senior magazine roles
• specialising in areas such as sport, the arts, fashion or advertising
• working freelance or setting up a business with other photographers.

Professional development may include courses and workshops run by organisations such as the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) and the British Academy of Photography, as well as training offered by local photographic societies and clubs. The NCTJ's National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) is also available to eligible trainee journalists who want to develop broader journalism skills and achieve senior status.