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Photographer / Videographer

Media & Communications · Photography & Video Production Official scale

Capture and edit photos and videos for weddings, events, tourism, advertising, news and social media. Many Jamaican photographers and videographers run their own businesses, while others work for media houses and agencies.

Salary Breakdown

$800,000 JMD – $1,400,000 JMD
0 - 2 years

Assistant photographer, camera operator or freelance event shooter. Indicative market estimate, not a published salary scale. This is self-employed income, not a wage: the national minimum wage applies to employees, so own-account earnings can fall below it in a slow month and rise well above it in a good one.

Estimated Take-Home Pay

Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($1,100,000 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.

Est. Net / Month$85,082 JMD
Est. Net / Year$1,020,992 JMD
Show deduction breakdown
Gross (annual)
$1,100,000 JMD
NIS (3%)
−$33,000 JMD
NHT (2%)
−$22,000 JMD
Education Tax
−$24,007 JMD
PAYE Income Tax
−$0 JMD
Net (annual)
$1,020,992 JMD

Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Career Path Roadmap

  1. 1

    Learn Visual Storytelling

    CSEC Visual Arts, English A and Information Technology help build creative and technical skills.

    Secondary school
  2. 2

    Study Media or Photography

    Take photography or video production courses at CARIMAC (UWI), Edna Manley College or HEART/NSTA Trust.

    6 months - 3 years
  3. 3

    Assist Professionals

    Work with established photographers, videographers or production companies.

    1 - 2 years
  4. 4

    Build Your Portfolio & Brand

    Shoot events and brands, master editing software and build an online presence.

    1 - 2 years
  5. 5

    Specialise or Open a Studio

    Focus on weddings, tourism, commercial, drone or documentary work.

    3+ years
Build My Roadmap for This Career

Required Education

  • CSEC Visual Arts and English A (advantage)
  • Photography or video production training
  • Strong portfolio

Common Local Certifications

  • Photography / video production certificates
  • Adobe Premiere Pro / Lightroom certification
  • Drone pilot registration (for aerial work)

Where to Train

Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts

Kingston & St. Andrew · Specialized Institute
Registered 12 accredited programmes

A recommended place to train as a Photographer / Videographer

University of the West Indies, Mona

Kingston & St. Andrew · Public University
Accredited 12 accredited programmes

A recommended place to train as a Photographer / Videographer

Local Institutions Offering Programs

  • Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), University of the West Indies, Mona
  • Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts
  • HEART/NSTA Trust