Career change as a photographer
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 1 right away, 7 with on-the-job training and 0 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
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Photography course instructor
Also: Photography lecturer at an adult education center
Start right away
As a course instructor you teach photography courses at adult education centers (Volkshochschulen), photo schools or companies and guide participants through practical exercises.
- What you bring:
- You can explain technique, image composition and image editing clearly and have your own portfolio.
- How to get there:
- Adult education centers and photo schools usually hire photographers directly on a fee basis, often for evening and weekend courses. A course for lecturers improves your chances.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€5,254gross per monthMedian salary
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Camera operator
Also: Videographer
With on-the-job training
As a camera operator or videographer you shoot corporate films, reports, social media clips or events and often edit the material yourself.
- What you bring:
- You are skilled at lighting, composition, camera technology and post-production.
- How to get there:
- Production companies, agencies and companies with their own media department give photographers with video experience on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Courses on video editing and sound usually take a few weeks. If you want a qualification of your own, you can do retraining (Umschulung) as media designer for image and sound (Mediengestalter Bild und Ton), which usually takes about two years.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Physically demanding€4,824gross per monthMedian salary
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Image editor
Also: Retoucher
With on-the-job training
At an agency, print shop or online retailer you edit product and advertising photos, create cutouts and composites, and prepare images for web and print.
- What you bring:
- You are skilled at color management, retouching and image editing, and you have a trained eye for detail.
- How to get there:
- Agencies and online retailers hire photographers with solid knowledge of Photoshop and Lightroom and give them short on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). For typesetting and layout, additional courses on InDesign and prepress help, and they usually take a few weeks.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€3,305gross per monthMedian salary
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Social media manager
Also: Content manager
With on-the-job training
As a social media or content manager you plan content for companies, produce photos and short videos, look after channels and evaluate what works.
- What you bring:
- You know which images grab attention, and you can use subject matter, light and visual language deliberately.
- How to get there:
- Companies and agencies often hire photographers directly if they have their own portfolio and a feel for the platforms. Certificate courses in social media management at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or at training providers usually take a few weeks to a few months. Writing texts and working with key figures are part of everyday work.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,385gross per monthMedian salary
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Digitization employee at a museum or archive
Also: Reproduction photographer at an archive or library
With on-the-job training
In museums, archives and libraries you digitize paintings, documents and objects, maintain image databases and prepare collections for research and for online presentation.
- What you bring:
- You work precisely with camera, light and color calibration and handle sensitive objects carefully.
- How to get there:
- Cultural institutions and specialized service providers give photographers on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in digitization projects, and some jobs are project-based and fixed-term. You can add knowledge of metadata and databases in short courses.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€3,707gross per monthMedian salary
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Photo editor
Also: Picture editor
With on-the-job training
In an editorial office, picture agency or corporate communications department you select images, commission photographers, clear usage rights and look after photo series.
- What you bring:
- You can judge images quickly, know image rights and know which shot tells a story.
- How to get there:
- Editorial offices and picture agencies usually take on experienced photographers through on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) or a trainee program (Volontariat). There are also jobs at online editorial teams and in corporate communications.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€4,728gross per monthMedian salary
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Lighting technician
Also: Event lighting technician
With on-the-job training
As a lighting technician you set up lighting systems for theater, film, television and events, program lighting moods and run shows.
- What you bring:
- You understand light, color temperature and their effect, and you enjoy working with technology.
- How to get there:
- Event companies, rental companies and theaters give career changers on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), often starting as a temporary helper. Courses on lighting consoles and event safety take a few days to a few weeks. If you want a qualification of your own, you can do retraining (Umschulung) as event technology specialist (Fachkraft für Veranstaltungstechnik), which usually takes about two years.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact€3,740gross per monthMedian salary
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Sales representative for camera and studio equipment
Also: Product specialist at a camera manufacturer
With on-the-job training
In sales for a manufacturer or retailer you advise photographers, studios and companies, present new products at trade fairs and look after specialist retailers.
- What you bring:
- You know cameras, lenses, lighting and software from years of practice, and you know what professionals need.
- How to get there:
- Manufacturers and specialist retailers give photographers on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) with product training lasting a few weeks. A class B driving license and willingness to travel are often expected.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€4,456gross per monthMedian salary
Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as a photographer without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Camera operator, Image editor, Social media manager, Digitization employee at a museum or archive, Photo editor, Lighting technician, Sales representative for camera and studio equipment and Photography course instructor.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Social media manager (€5,385 gross per month), Photography course instructor (€5,254 gross per month) and Camera operator (€4,824 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
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