Photographic Technician

Typical Salary

£14,000 To £35,000

Typical Hours

39 to 41 a week

evenings / weekends on shifts

How To Become a Photographic Technician

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in photography or digital imaging.

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

In professional labs, archive stores and picture libraries, you'll usually need formal qualifications in photography like:

Level 2 Diploma in Photography and Photo Imaging
Level 3 Certificate in Art and Design (photography option)
Level 3 Diploma in Photography

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a photographic assistant advanced apprenticeship.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You could apply directly to work as a photographic technician. For work in high street mini-labs, you'll need basic computer skills and an interest in photography. You don't always need formal qualifications, but some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs.

For print finishing, you'll usually need practical skills in woodworking and picture framing.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work on your own
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work well with others
to be flexible and open to change
knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
customer service skills
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

using computerised equipment to adjust and improve images
printing customers' image files onto photographic paper, canvas or other materials
quality checking prints and sending out by post or online
taking payments from customers
helping the photographer during photo shoots
checking and maintaining equipment
selling camera equipment and giving advice to customers

Working Environment

You could work at a store or in a creative studio.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

For some digital imaging jobs, you'll need experience of desktop publishing packages like Photoshop, QuarkXpress, Illustrator or InDesign.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in photography from The Association of Photographers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.