Diploma in Photography Jobs, Scope, Salary in India

Duration: 1 Year
Avg Fees: ₹20K - 2 LPA
Thasleen Mohideen
Thasleen Mohideen

Updated on - Oct 12, 2023

Diploma in Photography jobs are available in different industries such as Portrait photographer, Landscape Photographer, Wildlife Photographer, Documentary Photographer, Commercial Photographer, Fashion Photographer, Wedding Photographer, Photojournalist, Fine Art Photographer etc. 

The Diploma in Photography salary ranges from INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 PA for freshers and the salary will go up to INR 8 LPA with 5-10 years of work experience. The average salary for Wildlife photographers per month range is around INR 30,000 to 50,000, and the monthly salary for Fashion Photographers is INR 20,000 to 40,000. 

Diploma in Photography candidates are employed in various job roles such as wildlife photographer, wedding photographer, product photographer, stock photographer etc. The course trains and prepares the candidates to build their careers in prominent companies such as Amazon, Pepperfry, Flipkart, Discovery India, Times of India etc.

Table of Contents

Diploma in Photography Jobs in India

Diploma in Photography employment is expected to grow at the rate of 4% in 2032 leading to demand for skilled professionals in the field of photography, editing and cinematography. Below is the comprehensive overview of jobs available to Diploma in Photography jobs in India:

Entry Level Jobs for Diploma in Photography Course

Diploma in Photography salary for freshers ranges from INR 2 LPA and the range can go up to INR 6 LPA based on domain knowledge and skills. Below listed are some of the entry-level job roles for Diploma in Photography graduates along with the salary details

Diploma in Photography Job Role

Job Description

Entry Level Salary

Photo Editor

Chooses, reviews and edit the photos for promotion, publication or social media post using various tools such as Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Corel PaintShop etc

INR 2-4 LPA

Wedding Photographer

Captures a series of wedding events such as pre-wedding ceremonies, wedding ceremonies and reception to create memories for the bride and groom, 

INR 3-6 LPA

News Paper and Magazine Photographer

Captures images of the latest events, record news, interviews and lifestyle stories for a particular channel

INR 3.2-5.9 LPA

Fashion Photographer

Works closely with designer labels, fashion designers, fashion studios and models to capture their work and portfolio to show it as pleasant and appealing. 

INR 1.1-5.5 LPA

Advertising Photographer

Responsible for capturing images based on client’s request to advertise a certain brand or a product. 

INR 2-4.1 LPA

Government Jobs for Diploma in Photography Graduates

There is an increase in demand for photography graduates in the government sector in various job roles such as Photo assistant, photo officer, news photographer, scientific photographer etc. Below listed are a few job roles in the government sector for Diploma in Photography graduates:

Diploma in Photography Job Role

Job Description

News Photographer

Responsible for capturing the current events on the spot, capturing evidence if any related to the event, interviews, portraits etc

Photo Officer

The duties include setting the right backdrop and lighting directing the models to pose during any event or in a photo shoot and finalising the image with editing and scanning.

Photo Assistant

Assists the photographer in planning and executing photoshoots by coordinating with the team, arranging the equipment, directing the models etc.

Scientific Photographer

Responsible for recording or capturing the scientific or medical data in medical and research facilities for future reference. Should be well-versed in capturing microscopic images which cannot be seen through the naked eye. 

Commercial Photographer

Works for an agency or business firm to capture images such as buildings, employees, corporate events, advertisements, promotions, products, books etc.

Private Jobs for Diploma in Photography Graduates

The jobs for Diploma in Photography graduates in the private sector are highly in demand due to the requirement for skilled professionals in the fields of fashion, retail, wildlife, E-commerce, media etc. Below listed are a few Diploma in Photography graduates in the private sector.

Diploma in Photography Jobs

Job Description

Photo Journalist

They work with news and media to cover any series of events through photographs rather than words. Captures and edits photographs to communicate events. 

Freelance Photographer

Works with various organisations at a time to capture photographs, edit, and conceptualise the photographs based on requirements. 

Portrait Photographer

Responsible for taking portrait images of people using proper light and tools to enhance the quality of the image. Generally works in fashion studios or e-commerce industries.

Camera Operator

Responsible for working with different types of cameras such as single and multiple portable cameras, remote-control and electronic cameras, cranes and mobile mountings, to capture live action for TV, film, commercials and other visual broadcasts, operating and assemble them when required

Aerial Photographer

Travels in a plane or helicopter to capture the aerial image of a particular location or event. Uses cameras with gyrostabilizers to counteract the movement of the aircraft to produce quality images

Salary Offered to Diploma in Photography Graduates in India

Diploma in Photography salary per month in India ranges from INR 24,310 - to INR 25,734 based on the job roles and experience. The Diploma in Photography varies depending on various factors such as experience, job location, company, job designation etc. 

Diploma in Photography Salary in India

The average Diploma in Photography salary in India ranges from INR 2-5 LPA (Source:AmbitionBox). After gaining work experience of 3–5 years the salary range is more than INR 8 LPA. The table below shows the salary breakdown of Diploma in Photography graduates in India:

Diploma in Photography Salary

Amount (INR)

Highest Salary

More than INR 8 LPA

Average Salary

INR 4,00,000

Lowest Salary

INR 3,00,000

Diploma in Photography Salary Based on Job Designations

The Diploma in Photography salary varies according to the job designation ranging from junior photographers to creative photographers such as camera technicians, wedding photographers, photo editors etc.. Tabulated below are the Diploma in Photography salary of freshers & experienced professionals based on various job designations

Job Role

Average Salary for Freshers

Average Salary for 5+ Years of Experience

Wedding Photographer

INR 3.5 LPA

INR 6.49 LPA

Portrait Photographer

INR 3.9 LPA

INR 7.2 LPA

Camera operator

INR 3.8 LPA

INR 7.0 LPA

Camera Technician

INR 4 LPA

INR 8.9 LPA

Wildlife Photographer

INR 3.4 LPA

INR 8.4 LPA

Photo Editor

INR 3.0 LPA

INR 6.8 LPA

Diploma in Photography Salary Based on Sectors

Diploma in Photography graduates have vast career prospects in both private and public sectors such as journalism, news and media, event management etc. Below are some of the government and private sector recruiters for Diploma in Photography graduates

Private Sector Salary for Diploma in Photography

The average Diploma in Photography salary in the private sector ranges from INR 3.6-6.3 LPA and the range can go up to INR 8-10 LPA with 3-5 years of work experience. The table below shows the list of private companies hiring Diploma in Photography graduates along with their salary details:

Top Recruiters

Average Annual Salary

Times of India

INR 3.2 LPA

Pepperfry

INR 3.9 LPA

Swiggy

INR 6.3 LPA

Amazon

INR 3.5 LPA

AirBnB

INR 3.7 LPA

Discovery India

INR 3.0 LPA

Government Sector Salary for Diploma in Photography 

Diploma in Photography graduates is employed in various job roles in the government sector with salary ranging from INR 3-5 LPA. The table below shows the list of government companies hiring photography diploma graduates and their salary details:

Top Recruiters

Average Annual Salary

Nehru Memorial Museum And Library - New Delhi

INR 3.1 LPA

Goa Police - North Goa

INR 3.0 LPA

Visva Bharati Santiniketan - Birbhum, West Bengal

INR 4.2 LPA

Ministry Of Culture - New Delhi

INR 3.5 LPA

Union Public Service Commission - New Delhi

INR 4.9 LPA

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy - Hyderabad,

INR 4.2 LPA

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Job

Diploma in Photography graduates should look into various factors before choosing the right job as it influences their future career growth. Here are some of the important factors to consider before accepting a job offer

Job Role and Demand: The candidate must understand the job role, job description, designation and expectations of the particular role. It is also important to research the demand in the current job market future career paths can be aligned with the role.

Industry Outlook: The candidate must research the industry outlook and expected growth in terms of employment and revenue for the chosen career to ensure potential growth, stability and opportunities in the future

Compensation and Benefits: The benefits, perks, salary and compensations offered by the organisation should be well communicated and researched based on the industry standards before choosing a job 

Skill Development and Advancement: The candidate must ensure that the job role provides opportunities for skills development and advancement through various forms such as webinars, courses, industry exposure etc for potential career growth.

Career Scope of Diploma in Photography Course

Diploma in Photography graduates have vast career opportunities in both government and private sectors with job roles ranging from all levels such as portrait photographer, event photographer, photo officer etc. Most of the photographers become successful freelancers or entrepreneurs in the field of photography. Below listed are the courses and career opportunities after a Diploma in Photography

Career Options After Diploma in Photography Course

Upon successful completion of the Diploma in Photography course, graduates get placed in different job roles in industries such as Fashion, E-Commerce, Product companies etc. Listed below are some of the career options after the Diploma in Photography:

  • Wildlife Photographer
  • Wedding Photographer
  • Stock Photographer
  • Portrait Photographer
  • Product Photographer
  • Camera Technician
  • Camera Operator
  • Aerial Photographer
  • Drone Operator

Courses After Diploma in Photography Course

To enhance their skills further in the field of photography, students can opt for higher education after successful completion of Diploma in Photography course. Listed below are some of the courses the students can pursue

  • Bachelor of Arts in Photography.
  • BA in Visual Arts and Photography.
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography.
  • B.Sc Photography and Video Visual production.
  • B.Sc. in Photography and Cinematography.
  • Bachelor of Visual Communication
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Photography

Top Diploma in Photography Recruiters

Photographers are in demand in various industries and and are hired by top companies such as Amazon, AirBnB, Myntra, Discovery India etc for various job roles in different salary ranges based on their experience and skill set. Following are some of the top recruiters for Photography Diploma graduates and their average salary details

Top Recruiters

Type of Industry

Job Position

Average Salary

Flipkart

E-Commerce

Commercial Photographer, Fashion Photographer, Product Photographer

INR 3.3 LPA

Home Centre

Home Retailer

Product Photographer, Promotional Photographer, Camera Operator

INR 3.4 LPA

Times of India

News & Media

Photojournalism, Event Photographer, News Photographer

INR 3.2 LPA

Discovery India

Media & Communication

Event Photographer, Wildlife Photographer, Promotional Photographer

INR 6.3 LPA

Myntra

Fashion & E-Commerce

Fashion Photographer, Product Photographer, Portrait Photographer

INR 5.0 LPA

Diploma in Photography Placements

Several top colleges and Institutions in India conduct on and off-campus placements for the Diploma in Photography course. Some of the colleges offering placement support along with their salary details are listed below

College Name

Top Recruiters

Average Salary

AAFT

AirAsia, CalvinKlein, Disney+Hotstar,Decode Interior

INR 5.5 LPA

MIT World Peace University 

Michelin India, Barclays, HCL

INR 4.2 LPA

Skill Required for Diploma in Photography Jobs

To become a successful photographer, candidates should sharpen their soft skills and hard skills such as creative skills, attention to detail, technical skills etc. Listed below are some of the skills which the Diploma Photographers should focus on:

Creative Skills: Candidates should enhance their creative skills to communicate their ideas through their photographers and capture appealing images.

Technical Skills: A strong knowledge of photography tools such as Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw etc along with operating all types of cameras, lights etc.

Attention to Detail: Since photographers also work on editing the captured images to make them perfect, it is important for them to develop attention skills to recognise the issues and correct them using tools accordingly

FAQs

What can I do after the Diploma in Photography Course?

The candidate can either pursue higher studies such as a BA in Photography, BFA in Photography, BSc Viscom, etc. or get employed in photography roles such as wedding photographer, feature photographer, portrait photographer etc. based on their choice.

What career is related to photography?

In the field of photography, upon successful completion of the Diploma in Photography program candidates have vast opportunities in top companies in various fields such as news and media, journalism, wildlife, fashion and retail etc.

What is the job qualification for photography?

The basic job qualifications for photography are that the candidate must have successfully completed a Diploma or Undergraduate program in Photography, an Extensive and eye-catching portfolio, and previous experience in handling cameras and other related tools.

Is Photography a side job?

Photography can also be a side hustle if a candidate already has an existing full-time job or a revenue system. Some options include stock photography, event photography, wedding photography, and feature photography can be preferred by the candidate to earn a small but steady income

What type of photos sells best?

Photographers often sell their photos on online websites such as Shutterstock, AdobeStock, Alamy, Etsy etc. Among those, single photos, wide-angle photos, candid photographs and unidentified subjects sell the best

Which is the highest paying job after a Diploma in Photography?

The highest salary after Diploma in Photography ranges from INR 10-12 Lakhs for Fashion Photographers based on the domain knowledge and skill set.

How can I earn money as a photographer?

There are a lot of ways to earn money as a photographer such as selling your photographs on online websites, taking master classes for photography, opening a print-on-demand shop, starting a photography block, selling images on stock, conducting photography tours etc.

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