OVERVIEW

First and foremost: working on a cruise ship is a lifestyle.  You are in a floating hotel, with an assortment of things getting thrown at you on a regular basis.  You have to be able to adapt - to the job, the people, the circumstances, and the overall experience. 

More than likely, you will share a cabin with a fellow colleague.  It will be tiny, and you will have barely enough room for the essentials.  You will have to work through your differences, and if you're lucky you will walk away with a lifelong friend. 

You will work every day, and eventually you won't even know what day of the week it is. 

But, does it really matter?  

You are traveling the world, for free. 

You do not have to pay rent, buy food, utilities or incur many of the costs associated with land life.  The only expense you have on board is using the internet.  The other variables would be visiting the spa, gift shop, bar etc., but you receive a discount.

As a crew member, you are also eligible to sign up for escorting the shore excursions.  This means you are allowed to take part in the same tour as the passengers, but in exchange for your support and participation, you get to go for free!  This alone is an incredible benefit as many tours can cost hundreds of dollars.   As a photographer, you usually receive priority because on the tour you will take photos and video of the experience that can later be turned into sales revenue. 

Note: Some tours would require you to pay, but it is also discounted and very rare.  The only time I ever spent a dollar on a tour was when I wanted to ride in a helicopter with a glacier landing/dog sledding and when I went scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef.  Intrigued?  You can read about them here.

Another exclusive benefit to photographers is the chance to capture an experience that the ship takes place in, from afar.  Some (personal) examples include crossing the Panama Canal or sailing the arctic waters of the Polar Ice Cap.  

For a single person with minimum bills, this arrangement is perfect.  Personally, I didn't care how much money I made.  I was being taken around the world, with all my essentials covered, and free tours!  Although this was a fair trade for me, many people need to rely on earnings in order to provide for their family. 

If this is the case for you, on-board photography may not be the best path. 

Everything is commission based and how much you make depends on how much you sell.  There will be good cruises and there will be bad cruises.  Earnings are divided up based on the size of the team, and the role of the team member.  You eventually will have the opportunity to learn different positions, becoming the assistant (printer) or even manager.  This comes with a pay increase and usually your own cabin.

So, how much will you make doing cruise-ship photography?  It depends.  There are many variables involved, but I can say that when you break down the number of hours you put in versus what you take home, it is not equivalent to an hourly or salaried land job. 

You may only make a couple hundred dollars over a week-long cruise, but the following week you could make $1,000 USD.  Again, you have to factor in that you don't have many expenses, and you are getting the experience for free. 

In my opinion, it is 100% worth it and if you are still reading then you must think so too.  

There are days in which you may work 12-14 hours.  Between setting up studios, running the gallery, doing photo shoots and everything in between, it is sometimes hard to even catch a break for dinner. 

It is stressful, exhausting and discouraging at times.  But if photography and travel are your passion then it is 100% worth the strenuous activities and lack of sleep.  (You will soon become an expert napper.)  

Still interested?  Great!   Next, I will explain the process for application and what more to expect along the way, as well as some tips and tricks to set you off on the right foot!  

1)  RESEARCH

There are many different cruise lines as well as outsourced companies that contract to the ships for photographers and other concessions.

It is generally the same concept with the actual role, however one key difference in choosing which company to work for could be the locations in which the ship sails. 

It is also important to look into your role, as some may require more work to be performed while the ship is in port, leaving less time for you to explore. 

Photographers are expected to take photos upon arrival in ports for usually around 2-3 hours.  Once those photos are available it is then someone else's responsibility to begin printing them, and then another person will be tasked with displaying them.

 

2) PRIORTIZE - TRAVEL OR MONEY

Working on a ship has many benefits, one of which being free travel.  You have the opportunity to visit many locations, taking part in a variety of tours, and leaving with experiences of a lifetime. 

Although this may be enticing to some, it is not everyone's priority.  Many people choose to work on ships so they can send money home and provide for their family. 

Some departments make an hourly/salary wage, while others are commissioned.  As a photographer, everything is commission based and your earnings will be dependent on how much you sell. 

This is a determining factor for some on choosing their ship/itinerary.  For example, a ship will sail in Alaska or through the Caribbean on a repeat basis (usually every 7 days) through the course of the summer.  This means that every week, you have a fresh batch of passengers and sales potential. 

This generally results in much higher earnings; however, you do not get the same degree of travel or variation within the itinerary.  If you were to request a ship that does a full circumnavigation of Australia, you certainly will see more, but in turn you will make less. 

Another thing to keep in mind with the "money-making" cruises is they also require much more work.  Every day is a new event, and you really have to cram as much as possible into the limited amount of time you get, if you want to maximize sales. 

Starting out, you may not have much say in which ship or itinerary you receive, but at least you can go in knowing what to expect and may be able to fight for what you value most.

 

3)  APPLY

Although this may seem like an easy task, it can also be stressful and nerve-wracking.  You may wonder if you have enough experience, or enough of a portfolio to stand out. 

Don't worry! 

From my experience, this role has less focus on your actual photography skills and more focus on your customer service/sales experience. 

Of course, it is important to have a good eye and enjoy photography, otherwise you will probably be miserable. 

This job requires a commitment.  Most photographers are contracted for 8-10 months, and then given 1-2 months break.  If you are not in a position to be gone (the entire duration) then do not apply.  

 

 

4)  PREPARE (things you'll need)

•  PASSPORT

In a perfect world, you are ready to travel and have already acquired a passport.  In a realistic world, you're counting on an opportunity or reason to travel before you invest in getting one. 

Under normal circumstances, a passport takes 8-12 weeks to receive and although this can sometimes be expedited, it is never fun to stress or worry about timelines.  In my opinion, a passport is a great investment regardless of how soon you plan to use it. 

They are relatively inexpensive, valid for 10 years, and they literally give you an all-access pass to the ENTIRE WORLD.  This alone will bring new meaning and motivation to your travel pursuits.   

Note:  Some countries have different requirements for entry based on nationality. 

For example, an American traveler cannot go to China on a passport alone, they must acquire a Chinese Visa.  It is important to know where you are going so you can look into these situations in advance (and prepare ahead of time).  Most likely, your H.R. coordinator will also inform you of any additional documentation you may need, based on the locations you are intended to go to.

 

• MEDICAL CERTIFICATIONS/VACCINES

In order to be accepted and allowed to work on board, you must acquire a series of medical evaluations.  These are mostly basic health tests to ensure you will not experience any issues after joining. 

Again, depending on your role and/or company this may be a variety of tests and/or panels.  This is usually at your own cost although insurance may cover some items.  Personally, I was self-paid at the time and do not recall anything being horrendously expensive. 

If you are traveling to certain locations (Brazil for example) there will also be requirements for obtaining certain vaccines.  This may also be offered or covered through the medical benefits provided on the ship. 

 

• BACKGROUND CHECK/CRIMINAL CLEARANCE

Another aspect in being chosen for this job may require a background or criminal records check. 

In my case, I was instructed to obtain this from the local police station, where they ran my fingerprints and confirmed I did not have any record of criminal activity.  The degree in which this test is performed may vary, but I would imagine it is standard procedure for most companies.

 

• DRUG SCREENING

Considering this is an international industry, many companies implement drug screening either before joining, at arrival, or randomly throughout the contract. 

It is important to be prepared for this, as I am sure failing a test could result in disqualification and/or disembarkation. 

You don't want to get all the way to the ship and then turned away because you made a bad decision the night before.

 

• ATTIRE

This position requires you to wear a uniform or follow some type of dress code at all times (unless out in port). 

On formal nights, you are expected to dress professionally, with formal attire.  These events can happen 2-3 times a week, so it is important to pack many outfits in order to accommodate this. 

Additionally, I would suggest investing in very comfortable shoes, as you will spend many hours on your feet whether working studios, the gallery, or even out in port. 

Another tip regarding packing and initial embarkation of the ship is to plan for mistakes and lost luggage.  This is something that can happen to anyone, but when you work on a cruise ship it is going to be more logistically complicated in order to retrieve your luggage. 

Speaking from personal experience, I would highly suggest packing at least 3-4 outfits in your carry on, including formal attire and whatever uniform you will be using. 

Additionally, in the event of this happening you would not want to be without any important medication, toiletries or even your camera gear.  

 

• EQUIPMENT/GEAR

Assuming you have opted to pursue a role as an on-board photographer, there is some gear you will need to acquire ahead of time.  This is most likely at your own expense, however, everything you buy is yours to keep. 

Each company may have different requirement and specs for the equipment you bring on board but generally speaking, what you can expect to invest in will be these items:

• DSLR camera with prime lens (usually 18-55mm)

• Speedlight (external flash)

• Memory cards

• Extra batteries (both for your camera and the speedlight)

• Charger (s)

• UV Filters (to protect your lens)

• Sensor cleaning kit (it will get dirty, and you don't want spots showing up in your images)

 

TIPS:

• Do not go all out with your camera purchase.  Although it is important to have high quality images, you can easily manage with the entry level recommendation from the company and save your dollars for investing in a personal use camera.  You have to remember that your role REQUIRES you to take hundreds, if not thousands of photos per day and when you have spent 4-5k on something super fancy, it is kind of soul-crushing to feel like you are wearing it out.  Every camera has a shutter life and the more you use it, the more you lose it!  Although it is convenient to have just one camera, I highly suggest having a "work" camera and a "personal" camera, but of course, this is your choice.  Regardless of how many cameras you have, INSURE THE WORK CAMERA!  As mentioned, the camera gets used on a regular basis under all weather conditions.  If you are caught in a downpour, you are still responsible for taking photos and without the proper protection, this could mean the end of your camera.  The insurance covers EVERYTHING, as long as you still have the physical camera.  This was a huge life saver for me when I had to get a replacement - at no cost!  It is possible that the ship/company will have extra cameras on board, but you never know what condition they will be in or how long you will be able to use it.  Plan wisely and also invest in rain sleeves.

• Buy a shoulder harness.  Right out of the box, a camera will come with a strap.  Although this works fine for most situations, the strain on your neck will eventually take its toll and result in discomfort/pain.  I highly recommend a strap similar to these in order to alleviate that stress from your neck and keep the camera at arm's length, for an easy draw.

• Bring backup batteries and SD cards.  It is not until you are thrown into a night of shooting portraits, dining room and more portraits that you realize how fast a battery can drain or the importance of having extra SD cards.  Large SD Cards are always suggested to ensure you never run out of room, but a lot of times the person printing the photos may want to take your SD card in order to start processing all the photos.  This change out can sometimes happen 2-3 times an event, so it is important to be prepared.

• It is also a good idea to have rechargeable AA batteries and keep them on hand.  In the event your speedlight dies, you'll be in a predicament and depending on if you are using a trigger or not, this could result in you not being able to fire any studio lights, which in turn results in not having a proper photo.

 

 

5)  THE JOB

When I first joined, I had no DSLR experience, however I was taught the basics and thrown into the deep end. 

From there, I quickly learned about manual settings and how to work in a variety of weather and lighting conditions. 

You do feel like a paparazzi at times, snapping photos as people exit the ship or persuading them to allow you to capture their dining experience. 

There are many formal nights in which you will set up a studio and take professional portraits of individuals, couples, families etc. 

You will have to learn a variety of poses, how to adapt and how to correct multiple scenarios. 

It can be very challenging at times, but with that challenge comes growth and accomplishment.  

You will have to dress up in silly costumes and get creative with ideas that will make people want to stop and take a picture. 

It will not always be easy or fun, but you'll end up with a whole collection of test shots and random pictures that you will later cherish! 

Thank you for reading, and I hope I was able to provide additional information or guidance on your decision. 

If you have any more questions or are interested in connecting, feel free to shoot me a message below!