How to Gain Photography Industry Experience While Studying

Image Source: Adobe Stock

Your photography skills are progressing, each shoot feels better than the last, and a professional career is starting to feel like a real possibility. There's just one problem.

When all your time is taken up by study, how is it possible to gain real-world, industry experience?

This blog unveils seven proven methods, used by countless successful photographers, including our own tutors, to break into the industry. You’ll learn how to build valuable experience and establish a thriving career - even before graduation.

If you’re driven to succeed but struggling to bridge the gap between academic skills and photography industry experience, this article is for you.

1. Start with Self-Initiated Projects

The biggest piece of advice we can give you, right off the bat, is to not wait for permission to begin your own projects. Even before your photography studies are complete, self-initiated projects are a powerful pathway to photography industry experience. These aren't just exercises. They’re opportunities to hone your skills, define your personal style, and begin building a photography portfolio.

Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:

1. Mini-Series: Create 3–6 images around a specific idea or story. Excellent for building concise, portfolio-ready work and simulating client briefs.

2. 365 Days/52 Weeks: Take one photo daily or weekly for a year. This builds discipline, creativity, and a diverse portfolio around a chosen theme.

3. Smartphone Challenge: Only using your phone camera forces you to focus on composition and subject matter over equipment, proving great images aren’t dependent on gear.

4. Single Object Story: Pick an object and create a series of images around it, challenging you to experiment with composition, lighting, and storytelling.

5. Go Mono: Shoot exclusively in black and white for a set period. This deepens your understanding of light, contrast, and composition by stripping away colour.

Remember, many early career photographers believe they need to land a job to begin their professional journey. Not true! With a self-initiated project, there’s nothing standing in your way.

Image Source: Stocksy

2. Assist Established Photographers

Working for an established photographer is an invaluable way to gain real-world photography industry experience. A hands-on apprenticeship can provide unparalleled access to professional shoots and client interactions.

Identify photographers whose work you admire and send concise, personalised emails highlighting your skills and, more importantly, genuine interest. Don't be shy! Many established professionals love to work with upcoming talent. Combining this practical photography work experience for students with your formal study is one of the best and most common ways to get your foot in the door.

3. Volunteer for Local Events and Causes

By offering your expertise to charities, community organisations, schools, or local non-profits, you can gain photography industry experience without the pressure of clients and briefs. This could include documenting community events or fundraisers, offering headshots for job seekers or students, or even assisting animal shelters with adoption photos.

Sure, this might seem like "unpaid work", but the truth is, volunteering early in your career can deliver real dividends. You'll begin building a photography portfolio and generate testimonials from your clients, leading to word-of-mouth referrals and even paid student photographer opportunities.

To balance your time effectively while protecting your value, be selective about the causes you support, ensuring they align with your interests and generate valuable experience.

Image Source: Banter Snaps & Flaunter - Unsplash

4. Explore Photography Internships and Entry-Level Gigs

Photography internships, entry-level gigs, and freelance photographer jobs are competitive because they offer valuable exposure to the industry. You can find these kinds of roles on online job boards, through university career services, and via course forums and networks at The Photography Institute.

When considering a photography internship, seek out roles that offer genuine mentorship, plenty of hands-on expertise, and clear learning opportunities beyond menial tasks. A good internship should challenge you creatively and technically, providing opportunities to expand your portfolio with relevant work.

We recommend setting realistic expectations. These are often assistant photographer jobs rather than leading shoots. But approach every task with a professional mindset and an eagerness to absorb knowledge. Proactively ask for feedback, take the initiative, and treat every assignment as a chance to prove your value.

5. Network Within the Photography and Creative Community

Ask any professional photographer and they’ll tell you your network is as valuable as your portfolio. Actively engaging with the creative community is often the first step to gaining exposure and finding student photographer opportunities.

Here are some photography networking tips:

• Join Communities: Start participating in online photography forums, social media groups, and local photography clubs to connect with peers and professionals.

• Attend Industry Events: Make a point to attend photography exhibitions and events. They offer the best opportunities for face-to-face interactions and learning.

• Collaboration Shoots: Don't hesitate to reach out to other creatives like makeup artists, stylists, and models. Collaboration shoots are excellent for building portfolios and connections.

• Offer Value First: When connecting, focus on what you can offer or how you can genuinely contribute, rather than immediately asking for favours.

• Follow Up Thoughtfully: After meeting new contacts, send a brief, friendly follow-up message to reinforce the connection.

Image Source: Daniel Korpai & Krists Luhaers - Unsplash

6. Use Social Media to Build Visibility

This won't be a new idea to most of you, but there are some specific, strategic ways to use social media to gain photography industry experience and accelerate your career. Beyond simple posting, savvy photographers use platforms like Instagram and Behance to curate their portfolios, showcase their best work, and attract clients and collaborators.

Success on these platforms hinges not just on presenting impeccable shots, but also on actively engaging with the community, with consistent interaction, thoughtful commenting, and participating in conversations.

Many of our graduates have leveraged their online presence to secure opportunities. As Olivia Nebart, a PI graduate, shared: "Through this course, I can now start up my photography business which I have always dreamed of doing." Her consistent online presence played a crucial role in her success. The takeaway is that by treating social media as a strategic extension of your professional identity, you can cultivate visibility that directly translates into real-world experience.

Tutor Tips by PI Tutor Gary Wallis

How to get industry experience whilst studying

It can be difficult to get industry experience whilst studying but this would be hugely beneficial to your journey towards becoming a photographer. The steps forward vary depending on the type of photography you would like to do but all require a lot of effort and a lot of rejection. Just to be clear that most of the time any rejection has very little to do with you.

It may be too early for you to have a focused portfolio or even a clear choice on the area of photography you want to pursue yet, but try to assemble a ‘folio’ of your best work. A lot of work experience will not involve taking any pictures initially or at all. You will be an extra pair of hands to carry stuff, set up lighting and equipment, and run errands. Be honest about your skills: far better to say what skills you have and that you lack some knowledge in certain areas, but are keen to learn and will work hard.

Image Source: PI Tutor Gary Wallis www.wallispictures.com

Networking and building contacts are essential. So, join online photography communities, local photography clubs, etc. Be vocal and offer your services. Reach out on social media and directly contact any photographers whose work you like. Offer to be an extra pair of hands, a second shooter, or even shoot behind the scenes, even if this is for free, the first few times. You can contact photographers, photographic studios, photographic agents, companies that do in-house photography, or use lots of photography. As mentioned, many of these will go nowhere, and you must keep trying. It is about balancing being super enthusiastic and keen without being irritating! Many photographers or companies you want to experience with could be inundated with these enquiries. I tell all my degree students to write physical letters and send them. Include a picture or card with an image and your details on it.

Photography Industry Experience Starts with the First Step

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and still wondering how to get photography experience, don’t worry. The path to industry expertise is genuinely possible, even before graduation. It just takes consistent practice, proactive outreach, and confidence in your own abilities.

At one point or another, all professional photographers, including the tutors at The Photography Institute, have struggled to bridge the gap between amateur and professional.

That’s why our syllabus is built around practical, real-world insights to get job-ready ahead of schedule.

Beyond just technical and creative expertise, although there's plenty of that, we’re here to provide connections, guidance, and mentorship, so there’s no need to go it alone. To get started today, explore our courses, download the prospectus, and if you’re excited by this opportunity for professional growth, contact us today for a conversation about your future.