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  • The Royal Logistic Corps

Army Photographer

Could you provide high-level media capture for the British Army? Army photographers are the professional eyes and documenters of military actions, providing operational support to Army activities and bespoke specialist training to Defence.

An Army Photographer films a soldier in a wooded area with a modern unmanned vehicle. The photographer is filming on a Canon R5C which has a number of ancillaries such as a larger monitor and microphone. The soldier is wearing his body and helmet which has foliage in to help break up his shape and aid in camouflage.

Global Reach: We offer an unparalleled worldwide media capture and creation service, safeguarding and enhancing the British Army's reputation.

Specialised Training: We deliver elite photographic training to various departments, including the UK Special Forces, ensuring excellence in operational imagery.

Iconic Imagery: Working under the most challenging conditions, our photographers capture history's defining moments with raw honesty and profound emotional depth, producing some of the world's most coveted imagery.

Worldwide Deployment: Our teams are deployed globally, wherever the Army needs us—from combat zones to humanitarian missions and high-profile international exercises, as part of our dedicated Combat Camera Teams.

Direct entry into the Army Photographic Trade as a civilian is not available. You will need to re-trade within The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) or transfer from another Regular Arms or Service.

The rank requirement is Corporal with a minimum of 8 years left to serve.

Specialist Trade Training comprises of a 24-week Defence Visual Communication Specialist course held at the Defence School of Photography (DSOP) in RAF Cosford. This tri-service course will see you train alongside Royal Navy and Royal Air Force photographers. 

The course covers core photography skills such as; exposure, focus, workflow, flash techniques, portraits, PR/event coverage along with video production including audio, sequencing, storytelling, editing in Premiere Pro, lighting, action capture, social media content and more.

After completing your training at the Defence School of Photography and some on-the-job work, you'll achieve the Level 4 Photographer Apprenticeship.

This is a higher-level qualification which is equivalent to foundation degree or HNC standard and it's fully recognised in the civilian world.

The Army Photographer trade consists of:

Corporals              19 
Sergeants              10
Staff Sergeants               9
Warrant Officer Class Two               3
Warrant Officer Class One               1

As an Army Photographer, you will gain a Level 4 Photographer qualification.

You will be taught a wide range of skills from capturing formal and environmental portraits to filming and editing long format pieces.

You will become very proficient with the Adobe suite of editing software which is used within the industry. 

All the skills and qualifications you can gain from being an Army Photographer are transferrable to civilian industries. 

A portrait of a soldier holding a camera. He is wearing body armour and helmet. It is snowing.

Sergeant Eden – Army Photographer

My journey as an Army Photographer has taken me across the globe, from the scorching sun of Afghanistan to the icy expanse of Antarctica, capturing the essence of Defence in every corner of the world. I've had the honour of documenting historic moments like the funeral of the late Queen and the Coronation of the new King, experiences that few can claim.

This role has allowed me to capture everything from paratroopers jumping out of planes, to the intense action of Javelin missile launches over Estonia's winter landscapes, and the precision of large live-fire exercises under Kenya's relentless sun. The diversity of this job is unparalleled, offering a window into every facet of military life.

As an Army Photographer, you're not just taking pictures; you're entrusted with the monumental task of storytelling. You're capturing the lives, the moments, and the history of the soldiers who serve. It's a profound responsibility to document history as it unfolds, ensuring that the sacrifices, bravery, and daily life of our military personnel are recorded with the respect and accuracy they deserve.

 

This job isn't just a career; it's a mission to preserve the legacy of our forces for future generations.

Sergeant Eden

A staff sergeant army photographer dressed in his Number 1 uniform takes photos of a parade of guardsman as they march past him. The guardsman are wearing their red tunics and bearskins.
A British Army Photographer holds his camera while he films activity in a snow landscape.
Two Army Photographers stand in a wooded area with a military vehicle off to the right hand side. They are filming and interviewing a soldier from an Irish regiment.
An Army Photographer sits at the door of a flying helicopter filming the snowy landscape beneath him.
A British Army photographer takes photos on her Canon 1D Mark 3 of soldiers from a Scottish regiment as they march past.
An Army Photographer stands in a sandy, arid environment filming military activity.
An Army Photographer films a British Army infantry soldier walking through the woods. The infanteer is wearing body armour, helmet and webbing while carrying his SA80 rifles. The Army Photographer is filming on an Nikon which is mounted to a DJI Ronin gimbal.
A staff sergeant army photographer dressed in his Number 1 uniform takes photos of a parade of guardsman as they march past him. The guardsman are wearing their red tunics and bearskins.

An Army Photographer photographs Guardsman marching past him during a parade in London.

A British Army Photographer holds his camera while he films activity in a snow landscape.

British Army Photographer in action capturing a cold weather exercise in Estonia.

Two Army Photographers stand in a wooded area with a military vehicle off to the right hand side. They are filming and interviewing a soldier from an Irish regiment.

Two Army Photographers interview and film a soldier standing next to a Foxhound in a wooded area.

An Army Photographer sits at the door of a flying helicopter filming the snowy landscape beneath him.

British Army Photographer captures Apache attack helicopters making their flying debut inside the Arctic circle.

A British Army photographer takes photos on her Canon 1D Mark 3 of soldiers from a Scottish regiment as they march past.

An Army Photographer photographs soldiers marching past her during parade rehearsals.

An Army Photographer stands in a sandy, arid environment filming military activity.

Army Photographer film military action under the hot sun in Oman.

An Army Photographer films a British Army infantry soldier walking through the woods. The infanteer is wearing body armour, helmet and webbing while carrying his SA80 rifles. The Army Photographer is filming on an Nikon which is mounted to a DJI Ronin gimbal.

An Army Photographer films a soldier patrolling through a woodblock.

A staff sergeant army photographer dressed in his Number 1 uniform takes photos of a parade of guardsman as they march past him. The guardsman are wearing their red tunics and bearskins.
A British Army Photographer holds his camera while he films activity in a snow landscape.
Two Army Photographers stand in a wooded area with a military vehicle off to the right hand side. They are filming and interviewing a soldier from an Irish regiment.
An Army Photographer sits at the door of a flying helicopter filming the snowy landscape beneath him.
A British Army photographer takes photos on her Canon 1D Mark 3 of soldiers from a Scottish regiment as they march past.
An Army Photographer stands in a sandy, arid environment filming military activity.
An Army Photographer films a British Army infantry soldier walking through the woods. The infanteer is wearing body armour, helmet and webbing while carrying his SA80 rifles. The Army Photographer is filming on an Nikon which is mounted to a DJI Ronin gimbal.
A young female Army Photographer sits on a fallen tree trunk while holding her cameras in the dense forest of Brunei.

Corporal Atherton – Army Photographer

My role as an Army Photographer has taken me on an incredible journey around the world. From Cyprus to Jamaica and Brunei, I’ve had the unique opportunity of capturing the heart of military life in some of the world's toughest spots.

My first assignment in this role was an unforgettable one, documenting the funeral of the late Queen, a moment of immense historical significance. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of capturing the grit and determination of soldiers training in the jungle, the intensity of operations in extreme conditions, and the camaraderie that defines military service.

This job is completely different to my previous one as a dental nurse. I’ve had so many exciting opportunities that never would have been available had I not transferred. This role has given me a front-row seat to moments that few get to witness, allowing me to document not just the action, but the dedication and spirit of the Armed Forces. It’s an honour to be trusted with capturing these stories.

It’s about preserving history, telling the stories of those who serve, and ensuring their sacrifices, achievements, and daily lives are remembered.

Corporal Atherton

How to Join

If you wish to join the Army Photographic Trade, use the Digital Transfer app to start the process.

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