Staff Photographer
If you are looking for a varied and interesting career with the security of a salary, regular holidays and a pension, then staff photographer could be the role for you.
Staff Photographers are employed under contracts of service by large commercial corporations, government departments (e.g. Ministry of Defence), universities, museums or research agencies, and a host of other agencies formerly part of central government. The armed forces also employ photographers and photographic technicians, particularly the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Though the numbers employed are declining due to privatisation and out-sourcing, the role of Staff Photographer still represents a relatively secure career choice with plenty of opportunity for travel and creativity.
What is the job?
Staff Photographers produce images in a wide variety of disciplines (e.g. portraiture, PR and still life) to satisfy their employers' promotional, communications and recording activities. Their work is similar to that of Industrial and Commercial Photographers (see section on Corporate Photography), and Staff Photographers are usually expected to produce images in studios or on location. They may also be involved in scientific and technical work, fine art or architectural photography, and should have a good knowledge of processing and printing techniques, as well as digital post-production.
Whilst a Staff Photographer has less control over their subject matter and working day than a freelancer, this is offset by the benefits of regular, salaried employment.
Typical career routes
Some practitioners start out by assisting an established Corporate Photographer, General Practice Photographer or local Press Photographer and learn on the job (see Job Profile for Assistant Photographer). This is an invaluable way to learn the relevant photographic skills, and understand the conventions, practices and rules (written and unwritten) of industry and commerce, which may prove vital to a photographer's continued success.
Other Staff Photographers may find a position straight out of college. Prospective employers would normally expect to see a portfolio of photographs. This should be well presented and would typically consist of 10 to15 prints (and other images on CD-ROM) that reveal a broad range of skills and competencies.
Essential knowledge and skills
Staff Photographers must be organised and practical, with a good range of photographic skills, and the versatility to adapt to a wide variety of assignments. They must not only master the creative and technical aspects of photography, but also understand the corporate image the company wants to project and the various end uses of photographs, including brochures, annual reports, internal newsletters, websites, publicity and PR. The ability to deal with the unexpected in a calm and professional manner is essential, particularly when working conditions and lighting levels are less than ideal, and there is often only limited time available to produce images that meet the brief.
As Staff Photographers are seen by the outside world as ambassadors for their employers, good interpersonal skills are essential. This is particularly important when dealing with people who are not professional models, and to gain the co-operation of those whose working day is being disrupted. Staff Photographers also need to develop business and management skills, as both public and private businesses must be financially accountable, and meet performance targets.
Training and qualifications
There are no set academic qualifications to work as a Staff Photographer, but good college courses provide a sound technical grounding, and may enable industry contacts to be made, if they run effective work placement schemes.
Many practitioners start out by assisting an established photographer and learn on the job. Employers may support work-based qualifications, such as Apprenticeships and NVQ/SVQs. Photo Imaging NVQ/SVQs are currently available at levels 2, 3 and 4.
The Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) offered by the BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography) has a good reputation with employers. The PQE has traditionally taken the form of an additional year's course following on from a Higher National Diploma (HND). Today it is often incorporated into a three year degree programme. Eight colleges and universities in England and two colleges in Scotland currently offer the PQE (see the BIPP website for further details).
Entry into the armed forces varies depending on the service area chosen. The RAF recruits photographers straight from civilian life and after 9 weeks basic recruit training, they attend the DSOP (Defence School of Photography) to take the Defence Photographer Course. Further promotion is governed by length of service, selection and additional Photographic Management training. The Army and Royal Navy recruit their photographers from serving soldiers and sailors who gain promotion after successful completion of the Defence Photographer Course. Further promotion for the Royal Navy is through length of service and selection. On successful completion of the Defence Photographer and subject to external verification by City & Guilds, the Service Photographers are awarded a Photo Imaging Advanced Apprenticeship. After three-years workplace experience, Service Photographers may apply to undertake an NVQ Level 4 in one of the Photo Imaging disciplines.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) only recruits qualified photographers. Promotion is by selection, and by gaining an NVQ level 4 in one of the Photo Imaging disciplines. Pre-employment photographic and video training is given to selected Service and MOD Photographers to meet operational requirements, i.e. Electronic News Gathering (ENG Cameraman), Video Production Training, Photo Journalism Training for Defence Media Operations or Minilab Operation.
Membership of a professional association such as the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP), the Association of Photographers (AOP) and the Master Photographers Association (MPA) may also be beneficial. The BIPP and the MPA offer a range of qualifications, usually awarded after portfolio submission, enabling a candidate to benchmark their skills against other successful practitioners working in the industry.
Health & Safety - Photographers may be subject to physical stresses from carrying heavy camera equipment and lighting, indoors and out, in all seasons, come rain or shine. They should therefore seek advice about appropriate techniques for lifting and moving equipment. In addition, photographers need to understand Health & Safety legislation, and should be capable of assessing and managing the risks and potential dangers associated with the use of electrical lighting, equipment and props. There may also be a range of other risks specific to their area of work and they should seek suitable training in appropriate risk management procedures. They should also ensure that there is a current Public Liability Insurance policy in place to cover their working practices.
For this information and more, please view the attached PDF. 
Staff Photographer
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