15 months after graduating
83% of our photography graduates are in work or further study*
Studying photography at University of Plymouth will open a wide range of career choices. You could look at channelling your artist talents by pursuing a career as a professional photographer. There are a variety of opportunities including those that specialise in taking photographs of specific subjects (sports, music and performance, fashion) or those that specialise in using different techniques.
Opportunities include aerial or drone photography, fine art photography, portrait photography, current affairs/news photography, commercial/ advertising photography, corporate photography or working as a scientific/ medical photographer.
Whether you choose to be a self-employed freelancer or in-house photographer you can work in a variety of industries including fashion, fine art, advertising, education, science, graphic design, film or digital/ web design. Typical employers include magazines, newspapers, journals, retail websites, catalogues and large companies. To find out more about going freelance or running your own business check out our self-employment and freelancing page.
Due to the variety of transferable skills you gain from studying photography you could also enter into the creative industries as retouchers, picture researchers, art and photo editors, art directors, graphic designers, art buyers, researchers or museum/ gallery curators.
You could also use your creative skills to inspire others and work as a teacher (primary, secondary, further education) or higher education lecturer. Teaching opportunities are also available outside of a traditional classroom setting and you could consider using your artist flair to engage with people as a Community Arts Worker.
When considering your options, remember that your physical and digital portfolio are essential to presenting your work to potential employers and evidencing your skills.
Many photography graduates take the skills they have learnt elsewhere and find their way into less directly related graduate professions including marketing, the civil service and the charitable sector.
Researching your career options
With such a wide range of careers open to you as a photography graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.
Take a look at the Prospects, TargetJobs and the design association websites for inspiration:
Prospects – What can I do with my photography degree
Employment opportunities
Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth photography graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to other roles by providing relevant workplace experience.
- Director
- English Teacher
- Editor
- Events Photographer
- Photographer
- Hospitality Recruitment Consultant
- Student adviser
- Visual artist
Employers
- Academia Ango
- Demontfort Fine Art
- Exposure Photography Gallery
- H Tempest
- Host Staffing
- Samber Soccer School
- South Devon College
- South West Collective
- Toad Hall Cottages
- Torbay Council Youth Service
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 18 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.