Food Photographer: Job Description and Career Roadmap

[Reyed Mia (Apprentice, DIU)]

Food Photographer: Job Description and Career Roadmap

Step 1: Earn a Degree

While not a requirement for employment, earning a degree in photography helps aspiring food photographers acquire skills and experience. Undergraduate degree programs in photography, available at community colleges, technical schools and universities, teach students how to creatively arrange and frame a photograph and properly operate a digital camera. Photography courses typically include topics in lighting, composition, editing and printing. Graduates of photography programs may have a competitive edge when seeking employment.

Step 2: Take a Workshop

Food photography workshops can serve as an alternative training route, but aspiring professionals with degrees may also participate. Taught by professional photographers, workshops focus solely on how to photograph food in a visually appealing way. Some food photography workshops might function like traditional classes and meet weekly, while others are destination-workshops that include lodging and daily class meetings. Some are event offered online.

Practice at Home

Even introductory food photography workshops require a basic knowledge of how to operate a digital camera. Before enrolling in a workshop, prospective food photographers should practice at home and familiarize themselves with the basic functions of shooting a digital camera in manual mode.

Step 3: Build a Portfolio

Food photographers should always have both a print and digital copy of their portfolios, or a collection of their best work, to show potential clients or employers. In addition, creating a website showcasing previous work may also prove beneficial when seeking employment.

Take High Quality Images

Images used in a portfolio should always be taken in high resolution to be of the highest quality and clarity.
Include Some Variety

Portfolios should include photographs of a variety of foods taken at different angles, which can demonstrate versatility and uniqueness of style.

Step 4: Join an Organization

Joining an association, such as the International Association of Culinary Professionals - Food Photographer and Stylist division, provides professionals in the field the opportunity to attend networking and development activities, as well as stay current on trends in the industry.

Take Business and Marketing Courses

According to the BLS, photography students interested in freelancing or self-employment may also benefit from accounting, business and marketing courses through which they can learn how to manage and promote their own businesses.

Source:http://study.com/articles/Food_Photographer_Job_Description_and_Career_Roadmap.html