Professional photography
In contrast to amateur photography, professional photography is the designation for professional activity in the field of photography . The classic professional photographer is prepared for the job profile in a manual training. The photo designer focuses more on the conceptual development of photographic topics. His areas of work are often advertising and free art and author photography.
Professional law of the photographer in Germany
Protected job titles
In a narrower sense, photographer is the job title of the photographer .
Professional photographers with a different training accordingly have different job titles such as qualified photo designer , photo designer (state -certified ) or qualified photographer . The job titles photographer , photo technical assistant , photo laboratory assistant and photo engineer are state-recognized professions.
While the term designer can be used freely, the professional title photo designer (state-approved) and the academic degree of qualified photo designer may only be used after successfully completing training. A photographer may only call himself a master photographer after having passed the master’s examination.
Legal basis
The professional title of photographer is a state-recognized training occupation . Until the amendment of the craft regulations , it was not permitted to practice photography as an independent craft without a master craftsman's certificate. Today, as in many other professions, this restriction has been removed. Pursuant to Section 18 (2), the profession of photographer is one of the non- licensed professions according to the Third Act on Changes to the Crafts and Crafts Code of December 24, 2003, which means that anyone can usually practice the photographer's trade without a master craftsman's certificate . An entry in the handicrafts register at the respective professional chamber is still required for handicraft photography (weddings, portraits, architecture, products). However, one of the forms of training is not required.
Photography as an unprotected professional practice
Photography is also practiced by self-taught people who simply use the title photographer or who used to use the professional title photo designer . The professions of photo reporter , photo journalist , photo reporter are also not protected job titles; there is no need to be entered in the trade register if the activity is artistically designed. As in many other professions, proof of training in photography was no longer required after the amendment to the craft regulations. An autodidact is not allowed to train himself. The entry in the craft register is still required by law.
As a sub-area, photography also belongs to other professions, such as " technical writer ", " journalist " or " documentary ". In general, photography can be a secondary activity of a profession .
Legal situation in Austria
In Austria, the profession of professional photographer has been a free trade since December 27, 2013. Free means that no qualification is required, but registration with the locally responsible district administrative authority, in Vienna the municipal district office.
Training as a professional photographer
There are different ways to learn the profession:
- Apprenticeship : The apprenticeship period is usually 3 1 ⁄ 2 years
- School education: Higher Department for Photography and Visual Media, College for Photography, Higher Federal College for Artistic Design, Photography School
- 2. Educational path: Prerequisite: Compulsory schooling for 9 years
Organizations
In Germany there are various interest groups for professional photographers:
Interest groups
- German Society for Photography - (DGPh)
- German Photographic Academy - (DFA)
Public corporation / professional association
- The Central Association of German Professional Photographers (CV) is, as a legal entity under private law, the federal association of existing photography guilds and / or the state guild associations that also operate as legal entities under private law. As a corporation under public law, the guilds have tasks assigned by statutory ordinance, e.g. B. to take the journeyman's examinations and to set up journeyman's examination committees for this purpose, provided they are authorized by the Chamber of Crafts to do so.
Free professional association
- Association of Freelance Photo Designers - (BFF)
- Freelens - the largest professional association of photo journalists in Germany in terms of membership.
See also
literature
- Wolfgang Rau: Right for photographers . The guide for photographic practice . Galileo Press, Bonn 2012, ISBN 978-3-8362-1795-8 .
- Florian Wagenknecht, Dennis Tölle: Right on the picture . Guide to photo rights for photographers and creatives . dpunkt Press, Bonn 2012, ISBN 978-3-86490-010-5 .
Web links
- Answers for the self-employed photographer or whoever wants to become one , right on the picture
- Finally clear: Everyone can call themselves a photographer , dokumentarfotografie.com
- Business registration as a photographer? , Photo tips
- Professional and industry information from the Austrian Chamber of Commerce
Individual evidence
- ^ Paul Wilke: Entry requirements in Austria. Retrieved December 12, 2015 .
- ^ Paul Wilke: Become a professional photographer. Retrieved December 12, 2015 .