Image Manager

An image manager is an essential part of a public-relations (PR) team. This person is responsible for ensuring delivery of images from photo shoots, watching copyright laws for image use, designing logos and assisting with various layouts. People who want to become image managers come from a variety of educational backgrounds. Read on to learn more.

Study for a bachelor's degree. Generally, to become an image manager, you'll need both photography and management experience. There are several different paths open to you. For example, you could study graphic design and minor in business, or you can major in business and have a minor in art. Work on the layout staff of your college newspaper. You should try to get involved in either the design or ad-management department of the paper. You'll probably gain valuable experience working with image layout, which should help you get an internship.
Intern with a graphic-design company or the image management department of a PR firm.

Ideally, your internship should give you the chance to work on the administrative side of photography. For example, you may be asked to help design the company newsletter if you have relevant experience. Learn about digital image manipulation and design. You'll want to familiarize yourself with some of the more popular programs to create and edit digital images. Check at a large bookstore for specific program guides or look online for free, user-created tutorials.

Look for other image-related jobs if you're having trouble getting hired directly to an image management position. You may have luck refining your skills by working as a newspaper photo editor or doing freelance graphic design. Build up your resume by working these jobs for a few years and continue to search for image management positions.