Monday, 02 November 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Medan City Administration is strengthening the qualifications of professionals in the creative economy through its Tourism Office. It has organised a training and certification programme for 45 photographers. The initiative aims to help creative professionals enhance their professionalism and expand their career opportunities amid growing competition in the digital age.
The training is being delivered through Competency Certification Bodies (Lembaga Sertifikasi Kompetensi, LSK) and the Professional Certification Body for Photography (Lembaga Sertifikasi Profesi, LSP). It gives participants the opportunity to deepen their technical skills, understand professional standards and have their competence formally recognised through a state-recognised certificate.The initiative also strengthens the role of photography in tourism promotion. High-quality visual work can help introduce Medan's tourist destinations, culture and economic potential in the creative sector to national and international audiences.
The Head of Medan City Tourism Office, M. Odi Anggia Batubara, S.STP., M.M., said photography played a strategic role in tourism promotion and the development of the creative economy.
According to him, photographers do more than produce images; through their visual work, they also tell stories. This ability can serve as an effective means of showcasing Medan's beauty and character to the world."Photographers do not simply take pictures; they can tell stories and bring Medan's beauty to the world. Through this certification, we want to ensure that Medan's photographers meet professional competency standards and are competitive," he said.
Odi emphasised the importance of continuous skills development so that photographers in Medan could produce work that met professional standards. This capability is becoming increasingly important as the tourism industry and creative economy use visual content to reach wider audiences.Photography also plays an important role in shaping the image of a destination. Images highlighting the distinctive features of a region can attract tourists, strengthen digital promotion and help businesses introduce their products to a wider market.
Through the certification programme, the Medan City Tourism Office hopes to encourage photographers to improve the quality of their work while strengthening public confidence in the profession.
A total of 45 participants completed theoretical and practical photography training. The programme covered photography fundamentals and techniques, image composition, lighting, tourism photography, professional ethics and photography business management.
Professional, licensed assessors and trainers from the LSK and LSP delivered the training. They helped participants understand the skills required in the photography industry. Participants also gained insight into the working standards that professional photographers are expected to meet.Dr Muhammad Said Harahap, M.I.Kom., a lecturer in photography and photojournalism at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), also provided professional preparation for the participants. Meanwhile, Ricky, an assessor from the LSP under the National Professional Certification Agency (Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi, BNSP), explained the process of undertaking professional photography certification.
The involvement of professional trainers and assessors helped participants prepare for the competency assessment. They learned not only how to take high-quality photographs but also considered professional ethics and their responsibilities as photographers.Tourism photography was a key component of the training. The skills acquired are expected to enable photographers to produce work that highlights the appeal of tourist destinations, ranging from natural beauty and cultural richness to the daily activities of local communities.
Beyond technical aspects, participants also explored photography business management. This knowledge is important in helping photographers develop their businesses professionally, build relationships with clients and adapt their services to market demands.Following the training, participants undertook a competency assessment to obtain a professional certificate. The process forms part of efforts to ensure that photographers meet the applicable professional standards in the field.
The competency certificate confirms that participants have met the Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (Standar Kompetensi Kerja Nasional Indonesia, SKKNI) for photography. This recognition is intended to strengthen photographers' credibility when offering their services to clients, businesses or institutions requiring qualified professionals.
One participant, Andi, expressed enthusiasm for the photography training and competency certification organised by the Medan City Administration. In his view, the programme offers tangible benefits for photographers, particularly those who have developed their skills independently.
Andi said professional certification could strengthen clients' confidence in a photographer's abilities. Furthermore, formal recognition of professional competence could open up additional employment opportunities as the creative economy continues to develop."Until now, we have acquired our skills through self-learning. Through this training and the official certification organised by the Medan City Administration, we now have a better understanding of professional standards and an official record of our competence," he said.
Andi's experience highlights the importance of access to training and certification for people working in the creative economy. Although practical experience provides an important foundation, understanding professional competency standards can help photographers further improve the quality of their services and their professionalism.In the digital age, demand for visual content continues to grow. Businesses, the tourism industry, media organisations and various institutions require photographic work to convey information, build their image and reach wider audiences.
This development creates opportunities for photographers who can combine technical skills and creativity with an understanding of market needs. Certification is one step towards strengthening their readiness to compete.The Medan City Administration hopes the initiative will produce professional photographers who contribute to tourism promotion and the creative economy. Participants are also expected to create visual work that introduces the region's potential to a broad audience.
By improving professional qualifications, the Medan City Administration aims to strengthen the creative economy ecosystem while promoting Medan's image as a competitive creative city. Photography is expected to play an important role in showcasing the city's potential and creating economic opportunities for those working in the sector. (IDNC)REPORTER: Dr. H. Muhammad Said Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
