Most photographers or companies require you to submit a portfolio to be considered for an apprenticeship position.
No formal education is required to get an apprenticeship in photography, although a little training will increase your chances of landing a position. Taking photography courses at a local community college, for example, can give you the foundation of the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective student, although many skills can be learned through apprenticeship or simply by taking pictures on your own. Whichever path you choose, the first step in getting an apprenticeship in photography is to learn as much about the craft as possible and practice it regularly.
Someone interested in photography can create a portfolio of photos they have taken of people they know.
An apprenticeship in photography can be obtained by approaching a freelance photographer in your field or by applying for an apprenticeship in a major magazine, newspaper, website, or other media outlet. If you choose to follow a photography apprenticeship offered by a freelance photographer, that apprenticeship will likely be informal; You may or may not be paid, and the photographer will ask you to do a variety of photography-related jobs in addition to running a business. If you intend to run your own photography business, you should seek such an apprenticeship with a freelance photographer. However, if you want to work with a media or other type of business, you should seek an internship with those businesses or companies.
People interested in photography can practice taking pictures at a friend’s wedding.
The requirements to guarantee an apprenticeship in photography vary depending on the person or company that offers it. Most photographers or companies require you to submit a portfolio to be considered for the position. This means that you will need to spend a significant amount of time taking photos yourself to build that portfolio, and you will need to print those photos and assemble them into a portfolio, or put them together online on your own personal website. Regardless of how you present your portfolio, it should represent your best work and indicate that you have a basic understanding of photographic techniques.
Magazines and newspapers can hire freelance photographers who are still in training.
Try to have flexible hours and be willing to do an unpaid internship. Remember that while you’re not getting paid, you’re gaining work experience and developing the knowledge and skills to become a freelance photographer, which can be more valuable than a paycheck. Having flexible hours means being able to accommodate the photographer to work odd hours during the day or week. The more photos you show, the more you earn from the internship.