Never Too Late: Pursuing a Photography Career After 30

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Never Too Late: Pursuing a Photography Career After 30

24 Jan 2026

At the end of school, around 18, you are expected to decide what you will do for the rest of your life. One decision — based on exams, advice, or whatever felt right at the time — can seem like a stake in the ground: get it right and you win; get it wrong and you risk ending up in a job you dislike for the rest of your life, unsure how to change course.

But the world has changed. The decisions you made 10 or even 20 years ago mattered — but they were never irreversible. And if, back when you were leaving school, your real dream was to shoot — whether that is cool advertising campaigns for brands, PR projects, or something entirely different — we are here to help.

So where do you start if you decide to become a photographer? Which courses are actually worth your time? And how much should you realistically invest in equipment? To answer these questions, we are speaking to someone who did exactly that — leaving a stable career in finance to become a freelance photographer at 30.

Before we dive into the finer details, let me introduce the person helping me shape this story. Victor is a UAE-based freelance photographer who began his career in the financial sector, working as a stock market trader for more than 10 years before fully transitioning into photography.

Skateboarding played a key role in that shift — filming sessions and documenting new tricks slowly reignited a creative spark that eventually turned into a clear decision to change professions, almost at 30. Today, he is commissioned by major brands and takes part in some of the coolest creative initiatives across the Middle East.

Courses & workshops — do they really make sense?

For many people, the easiest way to begin a photography journey is through a course. And while a course won’t always teach you how to find your style — that usually comes later — it can offer a solid foundation: an understanding of light and composition, and a clearer sense of what to focus on next.

The UAE doesn’t offer a vast range of offline photography education, but there are a few solid options that are genuinely worth considering.

Gulf Photo Plus is Dubai’s main contemporary photography hub. And while it is much more than just a place for lessons, education is one of its strongest pillars. First, there are workshops — six-hour sessions designed for all levels and across all types of cameras, whether you are shooting on a vintage analogue camera or simply using your smartphone. Second, there are private classes and longer-term tuition options for those who want to go deeper and take photography more seriously.

Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) is best known for its large-scale photography competitions, though it also regularly runs short, intensive courses designed for beginners who want a clear and structured starting point. One such multi-day course is scheduled to take place from February 9 to 12.

Source: hipa.ae/

Given the limited options for offline photography courses, turning to online learning often makes the most sense. The good news is that there are a few genuinely strong platforms worth considering.

CRITICAE 2025/26 is an eight-month online masterclass focused on documentary photography, led by some of the most respected names in the field.

History of Fashion Photography is an online course from the University of the Arts London, that focuses on context and visual culture, exploring fashion photography across different eras while encouraging students to create new work in response to a specific period or photographer.

Source: arts.ac.uk

Masters of Photography takes a more inspirational approach, with courses led by globally recognised photographers — the kind whose work you have probably saved on Instagram and wondered, how did they do that?

LABASAD is another solid option for those looking to go deeper into documentary photography, with a 12-month programme that places strong emphasis not only on the images themselves, but also on post-production and the thinking behind the work.

Skillshare is ideal if you want to try the course before fully committing. With its trial period and wide range of short classes, it is a low-pressure way to explore different directions.

Source: labasad.com

At the beginning, I really believe it is worth trying a bit of everything. If an online course catches your eye simply because it has been created by someone you admire, take it — dive in and see what comes out of it. Either way, you will gain experience and form your own conclusions. Most courses, in my view, aren’t there to give you definitive answers; they are meant to spark something and get you thinking.
I haven’t completed a huge number of formal courses myself. More often than not, I have focused on learning specific things — usually to quiet impostor syndrome or to find a fresh sense of inspiration. That said, there are a couple of learning experiences I can genuinely recommend. The author-led courses by Magnum, for instance, really stayed with me. I took them a few years ago, and they gave me the push I needed to keep going and continue shooting. — Victor Dyachkov

Source: magnumphotos.com

What is visual awareness — and how do you develop it?

This probably deserves to sit right at the beginning of the article — but I didn’t want to scare you off with a term that sounds a little intimidating and doesn’t immediately explain itself. So, what is visual awareness?

On courses, you can learn how to use a camera so your photos look “professional”. But visual awareness is what makes an image feel compelling — the thing that helps it stand out and actually get noticed.

How do you build it? I can’t offer any strict rules, but Victor definitely can — so I will let him take it from here.

I would say visual awareness is probably the most important part of the job. These are a few habits I have built into my routine to develop mine.

1. I try not to scroll through Instagram mindlessly. Instead, I’ll pick one photographer and spend proper time with their work — looking closely, understanding why it resonates with me, and immersing myself in their world for a while.
2. I am always picking up photo books and magazines. For me, it is a very tactile experience — photography feels completely different on the page. And it is not just about the images themselves, but the design around them too: the typography, colour grading, sequencing, and composition. All of that adds context and depth to the work.
3. I also make collages — cutting up photographs, sticking them into a sketchbook, drawing abstract shapes, and putting on a specific playlist. It helps break away from familiar visual styles and see how different contrasts and elements can work together.

4. Films and series do help — the angles, the colour, the framing. There is so much to learn there.
5. But the most important thing is this: stay curious. If something catches your eye, don’t just walk past it. Stop. Look. Think about why it works. Invent a context for it. Treat it like a game — one where you give your imagination permission to run.— Victor Dyachkov

Photo: Victor Dyachkov

Photo: Victor Dyachkov

What equipment is essential to buy at the beginning?

If you ask a professional photographer what equipment you should choose, the most honest — and quietly expected — answer is usually: whatever feels comfortable to work with. And while that advice is fair enough, it is not always particularly helpful. So here are some things to consider before you start:

Choose a mid-range camera to begin with, rather than overspending. The key is that your camera allows full manual control — meaning you can adjust aperture, shutter speed and ISO — and that it has decent sensor performance. Good options in this category include the Nikon Z50 II, Canon EOS R10 and Sony Alpha a6000.

Invest in quality lenses. Lenses often have a bigger impact on image quality than the camera body itself. Even with a mid-range camera, one or two carefully chosen lenses can make a significant difference. Here’s a brief breakdown:

Prime lenses (35-50mm) — ideal for everyday shooting, street photography and documentary-style work. They tend to be sharper, lighter and perform better in low-light conditions.
Zoom lenses — wide-to-standard options that work across a range of situations, from portraits to landscapes. However, they are usually heavier, which can make them less comfortable to work with on the move.
Short telephoto lenses (50-85mm) — best suited for portraits, detail shots and food photography, offering flattering perspective and good subject separation.
Fish-eye and tilt-shift lenses — great but niche options. These are more experimental tools, used for very specific visual effects.

Try to define — at least in broad terms — the niche you will be working in. And only invest in additional equipment that actually supports it. For example, if you focus on landscapes, a tripod may be essential and if you are shooting portraits — especially indoors — you’ll likely need an external flash.

Photo: Curated Lifestyle

It really doesn’t matter what camera you use. What matters is that it feels comfortable — like an extension of your hand. Of course, YouTube is full of tutorials, but if you are looking for a quick and practical recommendation, I would suggest starting with something simple: a basic Sony or Fuji, or even a small pocket camera you can easily pull out and shoot with.
Renting equipment is also a good option, especially if you want to experiment or need specific gear for a particular project. That said, lately I have been buying more of my own equipment — I have simply grown tired of constantly going back and forth to rental houses.— Victor Dyachkov