How to Become a Medical Photographer

Photography is a diverse field that includes careers in fashion photography, fine art or photojournalism. If you're considering a career in photography but none of those paths appeal to you, medical photography may be an option if you have a strong interest in the sciences and medicine. Medical photographers take pictures of medical procedures and organs for research purposes or academic texts. If this sounds appealing, read on to learn how to become a medical photographer.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cameras
• Photo processing equipment
• Computer

Education, Certification and Employment

1. Enroll in a Bachelor's degree program for photography. A four-year program will teach you about the camera, processes, equipment and advancements with digital photos. Many programs are tailored to the medical photography field with the same science courses many medical students must take like anatomy and physiology.

2. Join associations in the medical photography field. Some offer training and certification programs to become a Registered Biological Photographer (R.B.P.) that will make you more appealing to an employer.

3. Look for employment in places such as medical schools, medical centers, health or research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, publishers, advertising agencies and hospitals. Some medical photographers can also be self-employed but most work under salary.

4. Stay current. Take any courses or attend workshops that explore any new developments in medical photography. Attend trade shows and read industry magazines.