Photographic technician
Photographic technicians process digital images, use software to improve picture quality and create prints for customers.
Also known as: Photo processing technician, digital imaging technician
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£31,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As a photographic technician, you could:
- scan, restore and catalogue pictures in archive collections
- make adjustments to pictures, using image editing software
- print images on photographic paper, canvas or other materials
- carry out quality checks on prints
- advise customers on how best to achieve the results they want
- help photographers during photo shoots
- set up equipment and assist art teachers in schools, colleges and universities
- check and maintain equipment like cameras and printers
Working environment
You could work at a store, in a creative studio or at an art gallery.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work on your own
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to work well with others
- customer service skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- concentration skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a photographic technician
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- photography
- art and design
- photography, video and digital imaging
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 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
College
You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you need in this job. Courses include:
- photography
- art and design - photography option
- creative digital media
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Photographer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship to get into this role.
This apprenticeship takes between 1 and 2 years to complete, and is a mix of training in the workplace and off-the-job study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Direct application
You could apply directly to companies to work as a photographic technician. You'll need to be well organised, able to use image editing software and have a keen interest in photography.
Some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs, A levels or equivalent qualifications in a subject like photography, desktop publishing or art and design.
Career path and progression
You could specialise in photographic work for organisations like the police, NHS, museums or picture libraries.
With experience, you could move into supervisory or management positions.
You might also choose to start your own photographic business or open a franchise to run a processing lab.
Career tips
You could contact photo labs, professional photographers, picture libraries, museums and educational institutions for potential job opportunities.
Guides for this industry
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