How to Become a Photographer in Pakistan
With a population of more than 165 million and two major cities of more than 12 million, Pakistan has no shortage of people and places for a photographer. The country faces continual economic crisis and an unstable central government, which makes pursuing the dream of becoming a professional photographer in Pakistan all the more difficult. It can be done however, with dedication and determination. Follow these steps to make it happen.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
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1
Decide what camera equipment you'll need to take the type of shots you'd like and search for the most cost-effective way to acquire it. If you don't happen to live in either Karachi or the capitol city of Islamabad (a problem we'll address later) your options will be extremely limited. You can use auction sites such as eBay to purchase quality new and used equipment at discount prices from anywhere in the world.
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2
Go where the action is. There is not much work for a professional photographer in the rural areas of the country. To get work you will need to relocate to either Islamabad or Karachi. With over 12 million people, Karachi is by far the hub of the fashion, media and entertainment industries, while Islamabad (population less than 2 million) is the birthplace of political stories and events. Whether your interests lie in commercial, fashion or news photography, taking up residency in one of the two major metropolitan areas is a must.
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3
Shoot for free and shoot a lot. While your goal is to be paid for your work, you can't get a job without photos and you can't get better without practice. In the free time you have between whatever you are currently doing to pay the bills and studying your prospective new career, try to photograph as many events and feature shots as possible, thereby honing your craft and building the portfolio you will need to land a steady job.
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Begin submitting your best photos to local newspapers and magazines. Two major papers that accept submitted photographs are DAWN--the leading English language newspaper in Karachi--and THE DAILY JASARAT. Although the papers do not always pay for submitted photos, they often do, and that is one of the best ways to establish yourself as a competent and dependable photographer.
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5
If you are not interested in news photography, apply for an internship at an established gallery or photo house. Two galleries that work with interns are White Star Photo and Karachi Digital Color Lab and Studio.
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