Julia Hawkins is a portrait and documentary photographer based in south London. She works regularly with the Peckham Peculiar newspaper and its sister papers, and also with a range of charities and other purpose-led organisations to help them tell their story. Her career in photography began in 2020 after completing a professional photography course at the London Institute of Photography. Prior to this she spent more than 20 years working in the non-profit sector. She was one of the winners of the Portrait of Britain Award in 2024.

AI, Photography and Your Financial Future: Why Now Is the Time to Plan Ahead

Published 15 August 2025

 

 

The world of professional photography is changing at an extraordinary pace. For members of

Photographers United, artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword — it’s a tangible force

reshaping workflows, client expectations, and even pricing structures.

Editing software can now process hundreds of images in minutes. AI image generators can

I often get asked by students and people wanting to become photographers-how to.... Here’s my best advice for someone aiming to become a professional photographer-Please add your advice in comments so we can help those and ensure they have an understanding of how to actually become a professional Photographer and how to behave as such.

 

1. Master your craft.