Need assistance

Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Photographer (Fotograf/in)

Fotograf / Fotografin

You design images, set up the lighting, shoot and retouch your pictures for clients. A 3-year training in a company and at vocational school.

Check my eligibility →Occupation brochure

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during trainingPaidthroughout the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a photographer does

A photographer produces portraits, product or industrial photos from an image concept: they choose the equipment and lighting, take the shots, then retouch, enlarge or produce moving images.

Design

Devise an image concept for the client, and choose the camera, lens and type of lighting that suit it.

Shoot

Set up the light and photograph the subject, often in series: other lenses, angles or lighting.

Retouch

Process, retouch, enlarge or reproduce the images, and produce moving images where needed.

This occupation is for you if…

you are creative and have a sense of image composition
you watch light and image details attentively
you are interested in camera technology and new trends
you like meeting a client's wishes

Less suitable if…

you do not want to work in a studio or at changing shooting locations
you dislike spending time retouching images on a computer
you dislike dealing with clients

Day to day

A typical day in the workshop

08:30

Client briefingAnalyse a client's request and discuss the image concept with the studio team.

09:30

Preparing the equipmentChoose the camera and lens, then set the lighting to suit the subject.

10:30

Shooting the subjectPhotograph a portrait or a product, varying the angles, lenses and lighting.

13:30

Selecting imagesGo through the series of photos and keep the best shots for the client.

14:30

Retouching on computerCorrect the light, retouch and prepare the images for their final use.

16:30

Archiving and deliveryExport and archive the files and prepare the images for handover to the client.

Skills and qualities

What you will learn, what is expected of you

Technical skills

Camera shootingStudio lightingImage retouchingImage conceptsMoving imagesImage archiving

Personal qualities

CreativityAesthetic senseObservationCustomer focusWillingness to learn

The training

How the Ausbildung works

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company

1–2 days school

Year 1

Photography basics

Client advice and image concepts
Cameras and lighting
First shoots

Year 2

Image and processing

Image processing in software
Narrative image series
Intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung)

Year 3

Option and finishing

One option, e.g. people, product
Image output and archiving
Final exam (Gesellenprüfung)

Exams and qualification

An intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place in the fourth half-year: a written part on planning and a practical shooting task with a technical discussion. The final exam (Gesellenprüfung) has five areas, including shooting people and objects, an option and economics and society. You obtain the Gesellenbrief, issued by the Chamber of Crafts (HWK).

Requirements

What you need to apply

Education level

Baccalaureate level is required.

German level

The required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.

Physical fitness

The work takes place in the studio or at varied locations, outdoors, in companies or in halls: you carry and set up equipment and stay attentive to the light.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

The reality of the job

Advantages and difficulties

Advantages

Paid training in a company
Creative work, from portraits to industry
An option to shape your own path
Progression to Meister or study possible

Difficulties

Varying locations and working hours
A lot of retouching on a computer
Technology changes fast: keep learning
The first months in German take effort

After the training

Where it can lead

Straight away

Skilled photographer

Work in a photo studio, a press agency, a publishing house or an advertising agency.

With experience

Gestalter im Handwerk

Specialise with the Gestalter (crafts designer) qualification, for more creative projects.

Longer term

Meister or university

Work towards the Meister (master craftsman), which also allows study without the general baccalaureate.

In the same category

Other trainings: Industry, metalworking and mechanics

Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.

Fahrzeuglackierer/FahrzeuglackiererinCarrossier peintre / Carrossière peintre36 monthsSee the sheet →Glasapparatebauer/GlasapparatebauerinConstructeur / Constructrice d'appareils en verre (verrerie scientifique)36 monthsSee the sheet →Metallbauer/MetallbauerinConstructeur métallique / Constructrice métallique42 monthsSee the sheet →Technischer Produktdesigner/Technische ProduktdesignerinDessinateur / Dessinatrice technique en conception de produits42 monthsSee the sheet →Tischler/TischlerinMenuisier / Menuisière (ébéniste)36 monthsSee the sheet →Zerspanungsmechaniker/ZerspanungsmechanikerinMécanicien / Mécanicienne d'usinage42 monthsSee the sheet →

See all trainings in this category →

Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test online or at the office

The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64

Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.

Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA

Stay informed

Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.

Telegram channel WhatsApp channel

Our structures for this occupation

AZUFA
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

Training offers for this occupation

No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.

See offers on AZUFA →

Photographer (Fotograf/in)

Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.

Download the brochure (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?

Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.

How long does the training last?

36 months, i.e. 3 years.

Am I paid during the training?

Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.

Where can I take the eligibility test?

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Where can I learn German?

In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.

Does the job include video and generated images?

Yes: the training, reformed in 2025, includes moving images and software-based image generation, depending on the chosen option.

Can I choose a specialisation?

Yes: one option is chosen from people, product, architecture and industry, editorial and picture editing, software-based image generation or analogue photography.

Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Write on WhatsApp

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80

Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon

Check my eligibility WhatsApp

Take the test WhatsApp