Welcome to the captivating world of cruise ship photography! Imagine waking up to breathtaking ocean views, exploring exotic destinations, and capturing unforgettable moments for passengers from around the globe. As a photographer on a cruise ship, you’ll embark on an extraordinary adventure where your passion for photography merges seamlessly with the spirit of travel. From documenting life-changing experiences to creating cherished memories, your lens will become a gateway to captivating stories. Engage with diverse cultures, collaborate with talented colleagues, and hone your skills in an ever-changing environment. Seize this unique opportunity to combine your love for photography with a thrilling voyage, immersing yourself in a world where every click of your camera captures the essence of an unforgettable journey. Are you ready to set sail on a remarkable career as a cruise ship photographer?
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What Does a Cruise Ship Photographer Do?
Your main job will be taking photographs of the passengers. You will be taking pictures of the entire journey and will be taking special care to get pictures of the ship during embarkation. You will also be taking photos of special events, dinner parties, arrival in ports, and so much more.
The job of a cruise ship photographer is actually more than just snapping pictures. As a photographer, you will have many different tasks that don’t actually involve taking pictures. Setting up the photo booths, dressing in different costumes, and selling photos are just some of the tasks you will be doing.
As a photographer, you need to be highly motivated and personable to succeed in your job. It’s important for you to be able to sell the photographs to the passengers in addition to taking the photo. You need to have some sales skills as well since you will be selling your services to the passengers on the ship. When passengers want to have their special moments captured in the most exciting way possible, you will need to be there to make it happen.
Side Duties on a Cruise Ship
Other duties of a photographer will include downloading and editing photos, adjusting for lighting and other effects, using templates when required, and printing the pictures. Getting the pictures to turn out as fantastic as possible is of the utmost importance. To be able to generate sales, the pictures need to be truly exceptional. This is especially true in the modern era when everyone is carrying a camera around in their pocket, you need to make sure the photos aren’t generic in nature.
It’s also important to know that the photographer will be responsible for taking photographs both on and off the ship. When people disembark to go check out the various destinations that are part of the cruise, the photographer will also want to be available to take pictures of people at these locations. Getting professional photographs taken at certain breathtaking sites is going to be very appealing to passengers. It makes sense that this would be one of the best ways for cruise ship photographers to sell their photographs and services.
Special Events
There are also times when special events will cause people to dress up on the ship. The photographer will be expected to dress up as well and play a role in the event. They may be tasked with taking photos with passengers while posing as a specific character. They’ll also be responsible for taking photos during these events, such as formal nights, where photographers take photos in both setups around the ship, normally in the Atrium, as well as photos taken during dinner time.
Typical onboard photography events include meeting the Captain at his cocktail party, in the dining room during dinner, costume shoots on the gangway and more. You will also have the opportunity to take photos in a professional studio environment on formal nights, for family portraits, weddings and other special events.
Source: The Image Group
Brush up on your Sales Skills
Selling photographs is certainly the main focus of the job. Cruise ship photographers need to have an eye for special moments. If they can get the best possible shots on the cruise, then they’re going to be more likely to be able to sell those photographs to the passengers. It isn’t an easy job by any stretch of the imagination.
Many cruise ships will also have a dedicated photography retail shop. This is a place where people can inquire about photography opportunities and they’ll also be able to buy certain accessories. This means that cruise ship photographers will also be selling things such as picture frames and photo albums. They need to make sure that these items stay in stock and that the passengers’ needs are met.
What Are the Requirements and Job Description of a Cruise Ship Photographer?
The requirements to become a cruise ship photographer are somewhat moderate. It isn’t going to be very easy to get one of these jobs if you don’t have ample experience or some type of special qualifications. Most cruise ship photographers have some experience working for a company or they have been working as a freelance photographer for a long time. You’ll want to have or gain this experience before you think about applying for this position.
It’s also going to be very beneficial for a photographer to have experience when it comes to processing images. Image processing and printing are a part of the expectation when it comes to cruise ship photography. It’s possible to get a job without having these skills, but priority will be given to people who are the most qualified. Coming in with these skills will give candidates an edge.
Above all else, cruise ship photographers need to have the right attitude and personality. It’s crucial to be very personable and to be motivated to help customers have a good time. Being able to sell photographs is partially about being able to interact with people and these interpersonal skills are also an important part of getting the best pictures. The ideal candidate for this job will be committed to providing the best customer service while making sure that everyone is comfortable with the photos that are being taken.
Language Skills Can Help!
Finally, it’s also important for cruise ship photographers to have a firm grasp of the English language. Speaking good English is going to be something that gives you an edge when being compared to someone else. Having a good grasp of the English language when writing is also very important. That being said, you should also be comfortable working in a multicultural environment to succeed, so having additional language skills might be the decisive factor that can help you land the job.
Can I Work as a Cruise Ship Photographer With No Experience?
Although the requirements for a cruise ship photographer require a minimum of one-year professional experience, you might be able to land a job without having professionally worked as a photographer for a specific company. As long as you have proven experiences such as freelance photography and a decent portfolio, you might be able to land a job on a cruise ship.
There’s a constant rotation of crew members on cruise ships and new ships are coming out every year. Your chances of being hired increase If you speak additional languages other than English. I would recommend that you have a minimum of six months of proven experience and a nice portfolio before considering applying.
What’s the Salary for a Cruise Ship Photographer?
An average cruise ship photographer is going to earn somewhere between $800 at the low end and as much as $1500 per month. This is dependent on several different factors, such as sales, budget, and commission rates. Commission on sales is going to be a huge determining factor when it comes to how much you can make. Other important factors to keep in mind include the size of the ship, itinerary, and which cruise line you’re working for.
It is possible to earn a promotion and make more money in the future. Entry-level cruise ship photographers can work toward earning a position as an Assistant Photo Manager and eventually, Photo Manager, where your earnings can increase significantly. Those who wish to make this their career will benefit from continuing to move up the ladder. Being promoted requires great job performance and a willingness to continue to learn new skills.
How Much Time Off Do I Get?
Time off is something that people don’t get a lot of when they work on a cruise ship. You should know that an average cruise ship contract will last anywhere between four and eight months, working every day without a single day off. You do get all those days off in a lump sum when you go on vacation, so for a 4-month contract, expect to have 4 weeks of (unpaid) vacation.
Be prepared to work quite a bit when you sign on to work on a cruise ship as a photographer.
Working on a cruise ship requires long hours but it doesn’t mean that you’re going to be working 24 hours per day. When you are enjoying your time off in a public area, you don’t need to take photos of passengers but you need to be on your best behavior. After work, you can hang out in the crew-only areas such as the crew bar, crew pool, and crew mess, or go off the ship when in port.
Tips on How to Prepare for the Interview
When you’re getting ready to interview for this position, it’s going to be important to show the interviewer your personality. Picking employees for a cruise ship is about finding people that have the right personalities to succeed in this fast-paced, customer-focused environment. You’re going to want to show the interviewer that you’re a motivated individual with a very positive outlook on life and can work under pressure.
Photography is a motivation-driven job on a cruise ship. Since selling photographs is a huge determining factor in how much money you’re going to make, it’s crucial to take things seriously. If you can show that you have the right personality and sales pitch to sell pictures on the ship, then you’re much more likely to get hired. You’ll also want to show your past experiences in photography as much as you can.
Having a Portfolio Can Make You Stand out From the Crowd
Although not a requirement, having a portfolio of your past work experiences to show to the interview or having an online portfolio is definitely a plus. This will allow the interviewer to see your skills as a photographer to better understand your qualifications. A good mix of different types of photographs with different backgrounds would be ideal. You shouldn’t just include artistic shots since you’re going to be expected to take a lot of pictures of people enjoying themselves on the ship or ashore in the ports of call.
Put some thought into putting together a nice portfolio and you’ll be ready to have a good interview. It’s also beneficial to think about why you want to pursue this job. Interviewers often ask questions such as “What motivated you to pursue this career path?” Having a good answer that makes you stand out might be the final push that you need to get the contract.
Learn About Ship Life
Make sure you know what to expect from a cruise ship job. You are not only signing up for a job but for the lifestyle that comes with it. You will be living on a cruise ship, sharing a cabin with a roommate, with little privacy and not a lot of time off. You need to be the kind of individual that can adapt to change quickly and be self-motivated because things are fast-paced onboard.
Read this article, Ten Tips to Survive a Cruise Ship Contract to learn more about what to expect before you embark on your journey at sea.
Where to Apply for Cruise Ship Photographer Job?
Some companies will hire photographers directly but the majority of companies will use a third-party hiring agency.
To find out more how to apply for a cruise ship photographer job, visit our Cruise Lines page to learn more about how to apply, including third-party hiring agencies.
Final Words
Working as a cruise ship photographer is definitely going to be difficult at times. It’s important to be able to meet the needs of customers while maintaining the right attitude and always having an eye for the perfect opportunity to capture the moment. If you can’t take pictures with a smile on your face, then this might not be the right career for you.
Be sure to take a look at the requirements and advice above before applying. For the right person, a cruise ship photography job can be a great opportunity to gain some experience before moving to another role. You just have to ensure that it’s something that you want and that you know what to expect from a job at sea but the rewards is lots of awesome photos from destinations around the world!
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
– Arthur Brisbane
