What Is an Internship Photographer and How to Become One

Internship opportunities in which you work with a photographer include a variety of positions, most of them specific to a particular industry. For example, you may learn more about fashion photography, news photography, or even stock photography. In this student role, you may participate in training with common industry camera equipment, build up your photo portfolio and skills, and sometimes travel to various locations to participate in a photoshoot. Some photography internship opportunities are geographically limited, or at least more common in certain areas. In general, the larger and more urbanized an area is, the more opportunities you have.

The primary qualifications for getting an internship with a photographer are being enrolled in a relevant college program and having some familiarity with professional photography equipment. Some employers also accept recent graduates from photography programs, though most prefer to work with students who are still in school. Many of these internships are also skill-based, so a portfolio of interesting, industry-relevant photos is far more likely to help you than grades alone. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a photography intern requires flexibility, creativity, a driver's license, and sometimes the ability to work unusual hours to meet the needs of your employer. For example, sports photographers often attend evening sporting events on weekends and evenings.