 Allison Wingrove |
Education or Not? I am a student photographer, about to graduate high school. I want my future to be in Photography. But right now im having a hard time deciding on whether I should go to a college and get a photography degree or just go straight into the photography business after high school. If I do end up going to college I would be considering either NESOP(New England School Of Photography) or SCAD(Savannah College of Art and Design) or another school, those are just my top two picks for now. If anyone has any advice or input, please let me know! Thank you!
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marylouolson.com - Mary L. Olson Contact Mary L. Olson Mary L. Olson's Gallery |
Go to college. You don't need a degree in photography to become a photographer, but you do need a degree in case you change your mind. And the degree will certainly open up job possibilities, because some will be available only if you have a degree (even if you can be a fine photographer without one). Furthermore,formal study in photography will get you some opportunities that you would not otherwise have, such as the possibility of internships. You will not even have access to these if you don't go to college. Internships will provide you with a level of education/experience that you will not get in the classroom and you will certainly not get through online courses or workshops, even if these also have some value. I work with (as a volunteer) a world-famous garden which has an excellent internship program. The interns get experience in shooting for events, a magazine, for promotional materials, for books and calendars, and for archival use. They work with editors and art directors and learn how things go from image in the camera to print and electronic publications. And, their work is displayed in a gallery-like show in the garden's restaurant. When they finish, they have a published portfolio to take to interviews or presentations. Pretty valuable, I would say. Best wishes for your future!
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Allison Wingrove |
Do you feel that a certification is just as valuable as the degree? At NESOP I would get the certification where as at SCAD I would get the degree?
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marylouolson.com - Mary L. Olson Contact Mary L. Olson Mary L. Olson's Gallery |
In the tech world, certifications are quite valuable. I am not as sure if that is true in photography. However, if the certification comes from a well-regarded program, that does carry weight. Personally, I would still recommend the degree program, because of the options it opens. Also, it gives you a more broad approach, which I think is good. A photographer can use art courses, business courses, even English and writing. If you intend to be a photojournalist, you need some communications courses, too. Besides, you might change your mind -- many, many college students do, and the credits from the degree program would be easier to transfer. Just some thoughts. If you have a good counselor at your school, you might want to get his or her input.
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Allison Wingrove |
Okay! Thank you for your thoughts!
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John G. Clifford Jr |
I think that, if you want to be able to afford photography and food, you would be much better served by getting a college degree in an area where you can find employment and advancement. Successful, well-off photographers are so notable because they are so rare. Most people who go into photography as a business end up leaving the business of photography. You'll make more money managing a McDonald's than most photographers do from their images. And, student loans are unescapable... you can't cancel them out by declaring bankruptcy and if you miss payments the interest rates zoom to astronomical levels. There's nothing sadder than being in your early 30s, up to your eyeballs in debt, without a good job, a good car, or any hope of financial security for another decade or more. One possible path might be to consider joining a branch of the military for a couple of years and obtaining a specialization in photography or journalism. It will help you pay for whatever college, and whatever degree, you decide to pursue, give you some valuable experience, and either convince you that photography is your path... or it isn't. BTW, any images you take on your own time with your own gear are yours... so you can start building a stock photo image library. Photography is a very enjoyable way to express oneself... but a professional photographer soon realizes that most of the effort needed to be successful is away from the camera. You have to be a good businessperson first... and often an enjoyable hobby becomes a very enjoyable profession.
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