TAKING THE PICS: PHOTOGRAPHY CAREERS 

The winners of the Liverpool City Region Photo Awards managed by the Open Eye Gallery are soon to be announced. Many of us are eagerly waiting to see how the themes of Celebration, Connection, Futures, Shared Spaces, Care and Movement have been creatively brought to life in the winning pics. They will no doubt remind us of the enduring appeal of good photography and its ability to evoke human emotions.

But what is the role of the photographer in today’s digital creative landscape, especially with the onset of AI?

What career paths are there in photography?

The reality is that the constant demand for visual content, driven mainly by social media, is creating ever-increasing opportunities in photography. And whilst AI has a role to play, there is no reason why, if you have an eye for a picture and are adept with a camera, you couldn’t consider a part-time or full-time career in photography.

Many professional photographers choose to specialise. There are many fields to choose from, including:

• Commercial photography: product, advertising, fashion, real estate
• Portrait & event photography: weddings, family shoots, corporate events, pet photography
• Photojournalism & documentary: news outlets, humanitarian organisations, street photography
• Specialist roles: sports, medical, forensic, drone, food
• Content creation: social media photography, brand collaborations

Essential skills for photographers

It goes without saying that budding photographers must develop the technical skills needed for this career. A good-quality camera is essential kit, but so is familiarity with its settings to use it to its full capabilities. Post-production editing software, such as Lightroom or Photoshop, is also essential for professional roles, and learning skills such as colour grading can help bring out the best in your photos.

But alongside the technical skills, there are other important qualities a photographer must have. A creative eye is essential, bringing unique perspectives on composition and visual style that make your photos stand out from the crowd. Business skills are also key; successful photographers must handle pricing, contracts, client relations, and marketing. AI can help with many of these, leaving more time for taking the pictures – something most creatives would welcome! 

How can I get started?

Your first steps will depend on your current situation:

• Students: If you’re still at school and considering your options for further education, taking a post-16 qualification in photography is a common pathway into a serious photographic career. It’s worth exploring doing an A-level or Diploma: St Helens College offers a Level 3 qualification, whilst Wirral Metropolitan College offers an HND and other qualifications. 
  
• Adults and career-changers: For those already in a career, developing the skills to move into photography can be achieved by attending evening classes or weekend courses available across the region. The City of Liverpool College offers an evening course for anyone with a DSLR camera wanting to learn how to use it to its full potential. There are other adult learning courses available at colleges and training centres across the region.

Whilst developing your skills, start building an online portfolio of your photographic work, an essential step for anyone wanting to find paying clients. It helps to focus on a specialist area.

Networking is crucial for gaining exposure for your business. Social media is by far the best way to achieve this, allowing you to showcase your portfolio online, connect with brands, and grow an audience that can lead to paid work. Another great way to gain exposure is to enter your work into photography competitions, such as the Liverpool City Region Photo Awards. 

You can also join local photography groups, such as the Liverpool Photography Group, to meet and learn from other like-minded people. 

The realities of the job

Most photographers are self-employed. As with any freelance work, you should consider the uncertainty that can come with self-employment. Income can be irregular, especially when you are just starting. So, expect to put significant time and effort into self-promotion and networking. Additionally, social media has made photography a popular pursuit, with lots of people entering the profession. As a result, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, so it’s important to develop a unique selling point for your work. Bear in mind that starting in photography can be costly, as the required equipment and software are relatively expensive. Explore online marketplaces for second-hand cameras and other equipment.

The good news is that a career in photography can be started at any time, and you could even do it as part of a portfolio career, or alongside your current work, whilst you build your client list. The benefits of this career path – independence, creativity, and the opportunity to work with diverse clients – can make photography extremely rewarding.

AI & the future of photography careers

Right now, many “traditional” photographers feel at risk as AI picture creation becomes more sophisticated. However, as the use of AI becomes more commonplace, it’s likely that skilled photographers will become more highly valued, in the way a hand-crafted piece of oak furniture is admired more than a mass-produced melamine one. And we are actually seeing a revival of analogue photography, which is a re-recognition of the importance of the human photographer. Just this month, Kodak reintroduced two analogue camera films, Kodacolor 100 and 200, in response to demand. 

Meanwhile, there are plenty of areas of photography that remain relatively immune to the AI-boom. Specialisms such as wedding photography and photojournalism, which rely on creativity and the human touch to capture a moment in time, are irreplaceable. The most successful photographers in the future are likely to be those who use AI tools for business purposes such as marketing, administration and researching customer demand, but not to replace taking the pics.

The Liverpool City Region Photo Awards winners will be announced in November, with an exhibition of the winning images going on display at The Open Eye Gallery from November 27^th 2025.