Should you or shouldn’t you go
When young photographers are starting out and beginning to learn the technical craft of photography, there seems to be a lot of confusion on whether or not photography college is the right choice. I get a ton of emails asking me whether or not I think it’s important to go to college and/or to get a degree in photography. And honestly it’s one of those questions only you can answer. Everybody is different and everyone learns in their own way. For some people, college is an important, integral part of their growing process and really want to participate in that kind of schooling process. Others are more self-motivated and learn better by doing. Experience is their best teacher and they flourish without the restraints of a school environment, all aspects of it including peer pressure and social mine fields. I can tell you about my experience and you can use that insight to help determine your own destiny but I, in no means whatsoever, would ever assume I know what’s best for you. So while I’m eager and happy to share my story, I suggest asking a lot of different people their opinion and do your research. One person’s perspective is not enough when you’re really on the fence about something this important and life changing.
I was 17 when I decided to become a professional fashion photographer. While I had the inspiration and the vision and the ideas, I had a very tough time mastering the technical aspect of photography. So in other words, I had the concepts, I just didn’t know how to execute them technically to see the results. And I was probably weakest in lighting. Composition and angles, I was pretty good at as well exposure and depth of field. I got that stuff fairly easily on my own by reading books and experimenting. But lighting!! That was a killer.
I put together a portfolio in high school and got accepted into Otis/Parsons in Los Angeles for my first year of college. I was really eager to learn how to light and then I was pretty much going to go out and conquer the world, or so I thought. I had a father that was willing to pay for Art College. If you don’t have financial help and you’re going to have to take out loans or work part time to put yourself through school, that’s something to consider. Because the work load is going to be tough and holding down a job that can support you is going to be even tougher. And student loans are a bitch to pay off. So that’s one thing to really take into consideration when considering photography college. In my family, education and college were very important. My father went to USC and he was very proud of his Alma Mater. So he was willing to pay for me to get a college education and a diploma. In saying this, let me assure you, that these things have never held importance to me. ( I told you, I was always the rebel kid). But I knew for myself, that the discipline of school and the fact that I HAD to show up and I HAD to participate was going to be the catalyst to me learning the craft. I am not a very disciplined person. I needed the pressure of keeping a GPA and I needed the stimulation and competition from my peers to improve and challenge myself to work harder and thus proving results by doing good work. So after my first year at Otis/Parsons, I got accepted into The Art Center College of Design. Now this was back in 1984 when the school was tough to get into and even tougher to stay in. It was not only very expensive, even back then, but it had a grueling work load. I mean, the school opened at 7 AM and closed its gates at 11PM, I think, and I honestly was in school that many hours, 6 days a week, during my first year there. I had no social life, I had to break up with a boyfriend about half way through my first term, I never saw or hung out with friends outside of my classmates, I was busy!! But I’ll tell you something: I learned. And I learned a lot. Especially about lighting.
Art Center Campus
But I can also tell you, that first year of lighting classes were not about lighting beautiful models. I was lighting toasters and wine glasses and shiny metal objects and occasionally my classmates. I carried 7 classes my first term and we had an assignment due every week from every class. If the assignment was rejected on the critique wall then we had to re-do that assignment, plus get the new assignment in by the following week. It was daunting. We worked hard at Art Center back in those days. I’m not sure how difficult it is now. I’ve heard that they aren’t as tough in the admissions process. Back then, it took me 3 tries to get in. My work was deemed too “avant-garde” and they wanted me to take some night classes in lighting to get accepted. I did what it took to get in there because I knew that I lacked the technical skills to master my concepts and I would learn those skills at Art Center. I also have to say that back in those days, there were only a handful of good photography colleges to choose from. There was Brooks Institute, RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), Pratt and Parsons. Nowadays, with the digital explosion and everyone including half of their family wanting to be a photographer, there are photography colleges everywhere! I mean, I’m blown away at how many photography colleges and schools there are out there. I mean, how do you choose? Do you want a degree? Do you just want some basic classes to hone your skills? Do you need a degree? Is it important to actually go to school?
Okay, so here’s the low down. While Art Center is a very prestigious school and I’m grateful to my father for footing that extravagant bill (he spent around $100K and that was between 1984-1987). Yeah, a truckload of money. You got that right. But no one has ever asked me to produce that diploma that made my father so proud! I’ve been asked if I went to school, but no one has asked for proof of my diploma.
Did I become a better photographer because I went to school? Well, yes. I did.
Did Art Center prepare me for the “Real World” out here? No, it didn’t. Nothing does but cold, hard experience.
If I had it to do over again, would I go? My first question would be, who’s paying? If I had to pay that kind of money to put myself through photography school, I couldn’t go. In my early twenties, which is when I attended, I didn’t have that kind of money and with the workload, it would’ve been impossible to work and go to school.
So my short answer to anyone asking whether or not they should go to college is:
- Can you afford it?
- Can you live and eat while going to school?
- Are you going to be taking out massive loans to put yourself through college?
- My last question would be, How important is getting a diploma?
Like I said earlier, my father wanted me to get a diploma because education was important to him. But if you’re serious about becoming a professional photographer, having a diploma doesn’t amount to much. At the end of the day, your images in your portfolio are what get you the job, not your diploma.
If you need the discipline of school to learn, then school would be a good option. If you’re motivated to go out and experiment and learn on your own, you don’t need school. I would recommend to anyone who’s just starting out to assist a pro photographer and learn from them. You can pick up lighting set ups and learn technical skills right there on the job AND you’re earning money instead of paying someone to teach you. At the very least, intern for someone and work part time so you can learn from a pro and then your part time job can support you while you’re learning. Another great way to learn where you don’t have to spend the money for a degree is workshops. It’s a small investment and you can learn from the pros. It doesn’t have to necessarily be fashion oriented either. You can learn lighting and exposure through a lot of the weekend or even week-long workshops being offered world wide these days. DVD’s and tutorials are another great way to learn. Blogs, the internet, websites, there are literally thousands of them out there giving great tips and advice on lighting and technical knowledge.
It’s really up to you and your financial situation. My personal story is that I’m glad I was fortunate enough to have a father who paid for me to go to college. But I kept learning out of school and nothing beats learning through experience. And school ultimately did not prepare me for the real world of commercial/fashion photography. School can’t even begin to teach one how to deal with the politics and the marketing and the ins and outs of developing relationships with clients. That education is learned through the school of hard knocks. And I will say that I have met plenty of professional photographers who did not go to college. They are self-taught and have done absolutely great in their careers. So do your homework, research the schools you’re thinking of attending, figure out how much money it’s going to take to get through school and live at the same time and then make a sound decision based on all of the above to decide if college is indeed something you need or if you can learn through assisting, workshops, DVD’s and experience! And best of luck to all of you out there trying to make this important decision!
Love this Melissa. With all of my Art Institute trials and tribulations I’ve shared with you, I can completely attest to this post. I personally learned more on my own by shooting and assisting, but I had many friends who learned better in the structured environment of a college. There is definitely no “one size fits all” approach saying that college is or is not necessary.
Awesome…and I totally agree. I’ve always said there are two things in life: book smarts AND street smarts, and IMO you need both to be a really successful person, to be able to appeal/talk/listen/hear/understand as much as possible in life. This shows in your work, Melissa….and yet another tangible example I can show my 19 year old son (in school now, and pissed…lol). So..thank you
)
“When young photographers are starting out and beginning to learn”
I’m curious, what about us older (at 40) people who changed careers and basically surrounded by people half my age? Thankfully i was in the arts (animation) before photography, but only having started shooting models this year, it’s daunting being blown away by those younger people. With fashion being so driven by youth and beauty, it makes me wonder if it’s possible to compete as a new older person.
I have a BA (hons) in Photography and am really pleased I have, it gave me 3 years to experiment, learn from visiting professionals, try out many many different cameras(film & digital), learn darkroom techniques, the history of photography, about contemporary photographers, work with many like minded people with different ideas and paths they wanted to take. So many experiences that I couldn’t have got on my own.
There are more and more people coming through that think by having a ‘decent’ camera it makes them a ‘photographer’ and although some people are certainly naturally talented I do feel that digital photography has made things so accessible to so many, that in some ways it has weakened the craft of photography.
All of that said doing a degree isn’t a realistic view of what it will be like to make a living as a photographer. Having natural talent and a good understanding of photography really gives you a great starting point in an fiercely competitive field.
Thanks Melissa this is very valuable information. It can be done if you can’t go to school.
I decided in my late 20s that photography (in general) is what makes me most happy and only in the last couple of years (mid 30s) that fashion photography is what I’m most passionate about, so due to time and money, for me a BA in photography was not an option. Instead, I have taken a lot of workshops and courses, and I purchased my own lighting (Alien Bees is quite reasonable) and I even had a studio share with a few other budding photographers for a bit. I had to give up the studio because of money, but I got a lot of practice there and managed to put a few TFP shoots together to put in my book. If I could go back to my (turbulant) teens and get the BA, I would, but I love that it’s not the only way to gain experience. Learning photography has many avenues.
Thanks for your insight Melissa!
Realistically, I’d say no If I had to do it again. Just completed 3years of college, now I am in debt, unable to pay it off (people won’t pay pros if they can find a free photographer elsewhere…) and struggling to even find a full time non-related job.
Photography would have been a great career a few years ago before everyone had digital and you needed to know how to expose and develop film, and lighting down solid.
Everyone and their dog thinks they can be a photographer now. There’s too much competition, and even the pros aren’t hiring assistants.
It’s a rough life.
Good post Melissa (I get asked about this a fair amount as well) and also alot of good comments.
I know in the UK college or University as it is here isn’t quite as expensive as it is in the US. There is another less travelled way that you haven’t obviously touched on. That is a vocational qualification its not only gives you a good grounding in the technical art but also in business acumen. I did this back in the 80′s and qualified just when the last recession was hitting full speed! I fell into art direction for ad agencies in London for nearly 15 years not even touching a camera in all that time! (there wasn’t even a photographer at my wedding!) I have now in the last 3 years returned to photography fulltime.
I really do think that business acumen is one of the biggest parts of any business these days (I have and still own my an agency so I know how a business works) the years in the wastelend have served me well. I hasten to add that I am not 100% fashion I do PR, editorial and Advertising as well.
Would I go back to uni to get a degree? hell yes, only I think my wife and kids might have something to say about that!
Just another opinion from this side of the pond
I am studying photography in France, but I have also already worked as a photographer. If I had to pay as in the states I wouldnt choose to photography courses: There is so much more related stuff to learn that will make your life as a photographer easier, like webdesign or commercial, or art studies if you specialized in it together with learning photography by yourself which is very possible.
I dont think the traditionnal photography courses are what the next generation of photographers are going to need most.
Come off it Calvin, you pretty much just rattled off the gripes of every photographer just starting out, it’s not just you who has to deal with the self-taught masters who own pro-sumer cameras, two lenses and a hacked copy of PS.
What do you mean the pros aren’t hiring assistants? Of course they are you just need to be able to put yourself out there, secure some freelance assisting and see where it takes you in terms of someone wishing to secure you full time. If you’re good you’ll get picked up.
For me going to college for 3 years was helpful, not so much in the technical and lighting aspects, but more in the friendships that were made which can link you with people during your career.
Excellent post, Melissa!
I can certainly relate to your sentiments. I decided to jump into photography a couple of years ago when I had (my first?) a mid-life crisis. I tried to go back to college after an abandoned attempt twenty years ago, but the college bureaucracy was impenetrable and I was being judged the person I was then instead of now. I decided to teach myself, also because going to school full-time was untenable at my age: I’d have to give up having an income, and the medical insurance I’m currently using to support correcting a birth defect I have.
Local photography message boards are indeed rife with young’uns with their digital cameras coming up with great photos. The hardest part for me as an aspiring professional has been to figure out exactly what I need to study to set myself apart from these kids and from the geeky, techy amateurs. I spent my “freshman year” diving into the basics and becoming modestly proficient in exposure, composition and lighting. This, my “sophomore year,” I spent going back to film so that I could train my eye instead of relying on digital, and I taught myself how to work with, process and develop a variety of film. It has truly been a revelation to me and has vastly improved my work, not to mention giving a whole new angle to my artistic vision. (Wish me luck: in a couple of weeks, I tackle C-41!)
What I miss most about not having formal teachers is the lack of critique, but on the positive side it is precisely what is forcing me to more closely examine my work myself and learn from my mistakes.
Interesting subject. Glad you offered it.
I also went to a good college in photography. In it’s (my time) it was considered third after Art Center and Brooks. Very Very good instructors some of them. Morrie Camhi and Halberstat. That was a long time ago.
My comment is that they concentrated on the art of photography and hardly at all the business of photography. This seems to be a common problem in US education. In City College there was ONE (1) class in business taught by a man who admitted that he was not too good at the business of photography. He submitted photographs and asked them to pay him what they thought the photos were worth.
I understand that Art Center is much more rigorous, and was a lot more business oriented and you had to really really work like you had your hair on fire.
I never applied to graduate. I got the education I wanted and my book. I don’t regret it.
I’m currently finishing my first year (out of three) at what is considered to be best institute to learn photography in NZ, and am at the crossroads. My parents are paying for my tuition fees, and I am grateful, but I feel like I am learning absolutely nothing, technical wise. I have done odd assisting jobs here and there and in some days after I think about what I’ve learnt in a day with a pro is equivalent to what I’ve learnt in a semester.
We have a studio class every fortnight, a weekly photoshop class and most of out classes are generally a waste of time; lecturers speaking on irreverent subjects and going off on silly tangents. We have a heavy workload and get threatened by lecturers that if we don’t turn up to their lectures we’ll drop a grade.
I often wonder what I’m doing there, 50% of the class has dropped out so far, and my only answer is to get older (I’m 18), so I can command a bit more respect with future clients, to have free access to hiring studios and gear plus to please my parents.
I just found out from a second year student that the second year is completely self directed, with hardly any classes. The only reason to stay for him was to have access to gear and studios. FML.
My two cents for aspiring young photographers: Skip the school road, get attached to a photographer and get some cold hard experience. Especially in New Zealand. You might not get paid initially, but will eventually.
Good article, just skimmed but will read it again. With something like photography, I think you can learn a lot yourself, but you do need access to equipment = money and space. Instead of paying for college maybe the money spent would be better off in buying all the lovely toys that you can and the space you need…
I’m actually about to make this step. This post got me thinking whether I should do it. Again. But thank you very much.
Experience is their best teacher ……
Thank You Melissa
Hi Melissa:
As always, a fun read. Adding to what you wrote, I’ll add the following:
1/ Photography is a business. Time away from camera is spent doing things like inventory control, marketing, paperwork, invoicing, networking.
2/ Cradoc’ PhotoBiz software is invaluable. Get it.
3/ Timing is not everything, but damn near it. From my own experience, the photo 101 class I took in 2004 was everything I lacked in 1974. Yeah, I’m *that* old. And comfortable with it. Because if you’re dealing with people, if you aren’t comfortable, they sure won’t.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larrygassan/4528990065/
Unless they’re dead, and you’re a forensic shooter.
4/ Strobist.com.
I learned a lot of beautiful things about shooting fast and light. Which saved my ass here…
http://mrprepress.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/the-plan-b-photo-shoot-weekend/
5/ Community colleges.
6/ Observe trends, don’t follow them blindly.
7/ Opportunity presents itself in subtle ways. Pay attention.
8/ Shoot with the camera you’ve got.
9/ Edit with a vengeance. Always be taking out the trash.
10/ You will make mistakes. Its how you learn. Don’t drive drunk either.
11/ Scavenge, improvise, make shit up. You’ve got 2 hands and functioning brain. Use them.
That’ll do for now!
interesting post. as for me, I am at college atm, studying business (which I am sure will be very useful out there. and to find a job to finance studies.) yes, I want to go to college, because of two things: to learn – as others have said, to work with techniques, cameras & materials you normally wouldn’t have access to -, and to get to know people. diploma? who cares. its like you dont learn a foreign language to have the certificate, but to be able to speak it. and here in Europe photography schools arent SO expensive.
College lets you work on all of the things you need: time management, deadlines, projects, and gives you the support in things that you think you will never need. You learn how to adapt and change. Depening on where you go, you either learn how to teach or how to work.
I am surprised that RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) was not on the list. Jerry Ulesmann, Bernie Boston, Katrin Eismann, and others all went there. Rock solid background in the essentials.
Take business classes as well. Most artists can do the work, but getting, billing and keeping the work is key.
To me, I prefer self-taught, self-motivated and experimenting through trials and errors are the best way to learn. I assisted others photographers, watched, learned and praticed. I’d rather prefer invest the money in quality gears and lights instead of wasting money and time in school. Because they don’t teach you everything and you don’t learn everything in real world either. Therefore, you’re not good enough if you don’t put your time and effort on it.
Because at the end of the day what is matter it’s your book to get jobs not your degree and that’s also true for any others professions.
I would tend to agree that experience is the best teacher. I went to Atlanta Art’s college and while I learned alot about technique. I learned much more from hands on and while working with other photographers.
wise words, wish i was 20 years younger, got the money now but at 40 would be the oldest one at the college. you are also dead on with so many avenues of learning around today.
Melissa, I can’t believe you forgot Hallmark, your own assistant is a graduate!
Truth be told, it’s not just about which school, but when you go that matters. I’ve seen plenty of straight-outta-high-school teenagers care more about living the “college life” than focusing on learning.
I think attending a photo school is not necessary, but attending a 4-year school of any kind is, regardless of what you end up doing. The life lessons you learn the hard way in those years are well worth the tuition.
@Andrei in Melissa’s defense, she wasn’t posting a list of photography colleges that are currently available. She was talking about the ones that existed back when she was going to college
I must agree, experience is the best teacher you can have!
Your dad went to USC? FIGHT ON! LOL – Probably sick of hearing that one, eh? Wanted to share my experience… You’ve probably just guessed that I’m a USC alum. I think you hit the nail on the head when you say that the only person who can answer the question of college or not is the person asking! And I was fortunate to have a combo of scholarship, working as a Resident Advisor to cover room and board, and an investment my grandmother made for me when I was born to avoid the “how am I going to pay for this?!” question.
I will say one thing, though… It’s not as simple as just college vs. “real world” experience. I believe that the two are complimentary. Each gives you an advantage. Can you make it without college? Probably. Can you make it without experience? Probably not. However, as you said, college makes you do things you wouldn’t otherwise, takes you out of your comfort zone, and teaches you *how to learn*.
You were photographing toasters, probably thinking “why the hell would I need to know how to photograph this?! I want to photograph fashion models!!!” But, I doubt that it was a wasted experience, and I’d guess that it gave you an edge on some fashion assignment in your career. For me the value of college lay not only in the career prep I was getting from the film school (which, by the way, was ideal for me personally and did prepare me for the “real world,” of working in film believe it or not), but in being exposed to different people, different knowledge, different perspectives and learning how to synthesize it all into something that I could apply to what I wanted to do.
So, college was a great experience for me, it might not work for everyone. And you’re right, it’s no substitute for working in the thick of the actual profession. But I think, for the right person, it can really give you an edge.
My two cents.
Always love the blog! Thanks so much!
This is some of what we have in Sydney:
http://www.acp.org.au/
Ta
Chris
After 30 years of professional shooting behind my BS in photography and my MFA in photography, there are only two things I would give Institutional photo education over practical photo education. The first is the exposure to a much wider range of ideas and history upon which photos of the moment is inevitably drawn. Knowing from where the ideas around you have been derived gives a depth to understanding your own vision and work. The second is the chance to learn and practice arcane processes and techniques. Many of the styles du jour of Professional/Commercial photography have come from programs in alternative processes, random play in personal visions courses and long periods unencumbered play with interesting failures and mistakes made along the path of learning the traditional tools. My degrees are predominately of a fine art discipline but I must say I have used the tool of art making to great effect throughout my career. Schools of photography do have great value but not as the only option or path to a career in photo.
As an Art Center alumnus I do have to give credit to the education I received regarding the overall business of photography including, intellectual property rights, estimating jobs, and valuing your work.
I encourage those that seek the self-taught road to educate yourselves on the business of photography through organizations such as ASMP(http://asmp.org/) and APA(http://www.apanational.com/) as they are great resources whether your a pro or are interested in pursuing a professional [sustainable] career.
Education is key.
I can say that after my first class in photography I started doing work on weddings with myself and my wife. Did a lot of free work, then I started charging a little at a time. I kept doing gigs, and I have to say going out, and working on photography work on clients is absolutely the best way to learn. Of course I combined this with reading books, blogs, and a big of formal education. I think people can skip the art schools, and just go to community college, they will teach you the basic techniques. You can get the rest from reading books, and getting real world experience. So far I’ve done this for less than 2 years, but I can’t even imagine how good I’ll get in the next decade. I’m still in my twenties so I will be amazing in the future.
fuckin art mään.
So. Whats the final verdict then…
Thanks so much for the great advice. I’m partial to photography college as it was apart of my degree. There was so much I learned there, faster than I could’ve learned it myself.
Great post! I get so tired of hearing one-sided opinions on this. I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all, simple answer to this. It’s something everyone has decide for themselves and there’s a not a wrong answer to it.
I went to brooks, ’83-86′, and while I enjoyed my time there and learned it certainly didn’t prepare me for the real world of photography.
Besides the social connection of a school, now days there is so much free information on the web, plus books and workshops, etc. it is much easier to learn without a school environment. Pro photographers are now days much more open about sharing their skills (i.e. this web site) as well.
[...] meaning I needed school to get the holy grail that is experience. You can read the full article here . Also I am gonna put up a poll and see what you guys think about photography school. View This [...]
spot on, becoming an assistant isn’t always easy – that is if you want to work with the best
Thank you for this. I made the decision to try a short, 10-month diploma. I am one of those people who needs the structure of school to learn. I also enjoy making friends/connections with classmates and teachers. There is a required 2-week practicum as a part of this course where we have to hunt down a pro who will mentor us for 2 weeks and do a little report on our work. I think it’s great combining school and real world experience. Our final folios are also graded by industry pros.
Although I do think that there are very few schools out there that are going to prepare you for the world of fashion photography, as it is very elite. I think I may continue on to a degree after this diploma.
I got my first taste of photography in 1971 at age 10 when my grandmother gave me a Kodak Brownie camera. Bought a roll of film, shot my friends, took the roll to a local drug store, 4 days later I picked up the pictures. I can remember to this day the feeling I got when the pharmacist handed me the spiral bound booklet of pictures. I was hooked. I still have that little book on my shelf here at my computer. Shortly after that, took over the upstairs bathroom with a darkroom, got ahold of a couple of better cameras from other family members… my Aunt Nene gave an old 120mm bellows camera, my dad gave me a nice little 35mm… i was having a blast! Go out and shoot a couple rolls of film, spend the evening in the darkroom. Experimenting with multiple exposures on the enlarger… I loved using F6 paper, really high contrast, that was my signature look. Through junior high and high school, shot allot of candids, pissed off some of my classmates….and then BAM! at age 15…sex, drugs, rock and roll…. skip to age 48, this year, July, bought a Canon 7D and about $7,000 worth of lenses…. I feel like a kid again! And the internet has been a great resource to access with such a wonderful community of photographers sharing their trade secrets…. its all I do anymore!
I also think it will vary from person to person. Myself? I didn’t go to school but often wish I would have had the chance. For that mater I think I would enjoy taking a few night courses at the local community collage even today. One of the things holding me back is would it be worth my while this late in the game. (I’m now 47 and have been shooting since the mid 80′s)
I dabble around on good old MM for fun but unlike your self or many of your readers I’m not a fashion photographer. My job is much less glamors as the bulk of my income is evidence photography. I shoot for a few law firms and on the rare occasion get an occasion call from the County Coroner in the middle of the night. (Yep, I know but someone has to do it and it keeps my family fed)
Though evidence is my bread and butter I get other work from time to time which I think of as part time work. I’ll shoot the occasional editorial for small rags here and there and I do a bit of work for political campaigns on election years.
Nope, it’s not high fashion or even high profile work but I am fortunate in that I get to use my camera to support my family and do well enough and have yet to shoot a senior portrait set.
I can only assume that if I didn’t have higher higher dreams I would play around on MM and from time to time wonder what it would be like on the other end but at the same time I’m content. Evidence pays well, lawyers have deep pockets and I have never once had one default on an invoice.
This is coming from a History Major at the University of Alaska so it can be done. I guess it just depends on your dreams.
I think this was a great article on education in photography. I am actually finishing up my first semester at Art Center. It definitely has gotten easier to get in, just from seeing the lack of foundational knowledge of some of the incoming students. But it’s definitely still a grueling work load. I’ve done 12-15 hour days 6 days a week this whole semester. It’s definitely up to you as to how much you want to put into it. I definitely see some people who do “just enough to get by” which I think is completely missing the point of being there.
Some people have said that experience with working professionals is key and often makes going to school not necessary. At Art Center, your professors are working professionals and are at your leisure to pick their brains. There are things that I have learned from the professors there, even on a more personal level, that have greatly influenced my work and thought process.
I’m not saying that you HAVE to go to school to become a photographer, I was just sharing my experience.
If you are fortunate enough to be able, why not! An education allows you to become a more rounded individual, gives you a better sense of what is, and only allows you to be better in your trade.
Melissa,
First off, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for having ever made this blog in the first place. It has helped me a lot and seeing all of your videos and reading all of your entries has helped me grow, considerably, as an aspiring photographer.
I’m a 21 year old kid living in Toronto who for 2 1/2 years studied something that he had not an ounce of passion for- business. I flunked courses left and right and started thinking… maybe I’m just really dumb. Around a year and a half ago my mom got me my first DSLR- a Nikon D90. It still, today, is my main camera. I started shooting everything under the sun. That old flame, that was photography, was reignited and I got really into it as of that moment. Ever since I was a little boy I’d always been taking my parents old Pentax and snapping away with it. Living life through the lens gave me something that nothing else (nothing aside from music, my other main passion) did; sanctuary. I made a brash decision to ‘quit’ my studies and apply to a photography school in Paris. Speos Photographic Institute. I applied and was one of only 60 people to be accepted. I was thrilled. Idiotically, I ended up deferring my acceptance and pushing it back a year because of a girl I met, who moved away. Anyways, here I am, doing my own thing until next September… Sleeping in ’till 2pm, going out and doing as many shoots as possible and just learning and learning and learning about the field of photography.
I can clearly tell my parents are disappointed in my choice to take the year off and just (in their eyes) sit around and do nothing and it pains me to know they feel like this, but I think this time off will have proven to be invaluable. I’ve got no 8am classes to catch, no time consuming homework… just freedom. I’m not making money, but I have been hired by an agency as their test photographer and have done shoots here, in Toronto, and abroad. I’m slowly but surely building my book and experience level.
I don’t feel nearly as enthusiastic about going to school in Paris as I did this time last year. Not because I don’t feel, arrogantly, that it won’t teach me anything after having absorbed all that I have in my time off, but only because I know I can’t afford it. I’m going to need at least $40,000 for that one year and while I’ve got something saved up and my parents are going to help me out a bit, I’m wondering… will that once in a lifetime experience be worth $40,000? I’d normally say such an experience you can’t put a price on, but now I’m actually in my own shoes and have to consider it… It’s a LOT of money… but how often does someone get to move to a city like Paris and study what they truly desire.
I’m not sure what the purpose of my post was… I hope I haven’t bored anyone reading it too much! I just wanted to thank you, Melissa, for creating this site and doing what you do. You’re a huge inspiration to me and I value you greatly! I hope, that wherever I end up, I’m happy in the end and that if I’m to make it in this business that I’m to see at least a tenth of the success that you’ve seen! You’re a star!
Sincerely,
Marko M.
I agree that this is a very personal decision with no right or wrong answer. I personally skipped photography school and learned on my own. My husband and I have ran a successful photography business for over 10 years and we love every minute of it!
my personal opinion is, you must first love profession photographer, or to be given by God, it’s very hard work in my opinion.
Who knows. I thin photography is an art form that you can learn yourself if dedicated enough, to go to school you still have to be dedicated to actually learning..
Dear all, very good commentaries here.
What makes me think about a late 30′s men trying to conquest the Fashion Photography world planning to do MA on Fashion Photography or to chase work as assistant.
The only issue, IMO, is I can’t afford an assistant salary (if you luck to get one!). So what’s to do? At the moment, Im building my portfolio by my own, inviting aspiring models and MUA on a TFCD/TFP basis until a get a proper folio.
But, my other question is, does the market accept photographers without an experience on assisting a well know professional photographer?
Thank you Melissa. This and our emails were certainly helpful. I decided to stay and graduate.
I will likely be paying off student loans for the rest of my life, but my gut tells me to stay and finish. I am learning a lot and my portfolio is improving with each day. For now I’m just working really hard and praying to the student loan gods that my work pays off… Thanks again!!!
AM
i am so glad i found this blog.
this post has been incredibly helpful to me.
so thank you for posting it up.
I really interested in photography, and wanna learn…but only got a simple DC at the moment.. hehee
Thanks for this! I really found it helpful I am trying to make the decision myself and I have never thought it was right for me but people tell me I should! Thanks again
Hello! I am diva, 19 years old. I’m from Indonesia. I’m taking animation major. These lately i feel kinda regret because I’d made a decision that I wanna be a professional fashion photographer. I can’t stop this major and change direction.
And I am so motivated by your post that many good fashion photographers others who are self-taught. I am not really good on lightning too, and I am studying from book and site. I learn composition from fashion photographer’s works. I love your works. And I hope someday, I’ll become fashion photographer as good as you without taking photography course.
Thank you so much.
Great write up Melissa. I’m loving your blog more each day.
[...] 4:30am (don’t ask), I’m online on Melissa Rodwell’s blog and came “this post” which pretty much sums up my take on the issue so head over there [...]
Really insightful article, thanks for the inspiration
Having no choice because I am a photographer as a dramatic career change (from IT), I envie those who have the time to study the craft decently.
Wih three kids and a wonderfull spouse that I have to care for, time is too sparse to me.
Having no choice because I am a photographer as a dramatic career change (from IT), I envie those who have the time to study the craft decently.
Wih three kids and a wonderfull spouse that I have to care for, time is too sparse to me.
A very fair overview of the pros and cons of a degree.
As a recent photogrpahy graduate I have to say the overall experience for me was quite different to what I expected. There was little actual technical instruction on my course, it was all about learning by yourself with support from tutors. The arts side was heavily focused on as was being able to relate visual outcomes to ideas and approaches. It was really about coherent communication. For long spells I found myself not wanting to pick up the camera as if I didn’t have a fully realised idea I felt like a fraud pressing the shutter. Thankfully I’m over that!
Has the course helped me? Yes it has by exposing me to a rich history of practitioners I would likely have remained ignorant to for longer had I not gone. I’ve learned how to develop projects from simple ideas into more (hopefully) sophisticated outcomes. I’m definitley a ‘better’, more thoughtful photographer but is this anything that can’t be achieved without spending tens of thousands on an education – possibly not.
Like many people have said the best learning is through experience. Go out, work, experiment, communicate, self reflect, figure out why mistakes happen and always keep a fertile mind.
[...] By rickhanleyphotography A really great blog entry can be found here by Melissa Rodwell about the pros and cons of photographic [...]
I think there are a lot of arguments for both sides of the story (to study or not to study). Personally I sold my house 6 years ago so that I could afford to attend college and fund the start up of my business. I did things by the book and it has worked for me.
However, if I could go back and do it all over again, I would still have sold the house and outlayed the costs for the business plan, gear, marketing but NOT the college course. Why? Because of all of the things I learnt in college, not one of them relates to my work today. The “old pros” who taught us were the best in the industry (just 40 years ago), their knowledge was out of date and so was the curriculum.
My advice to those starting out, look for the most successful in your area and take a leaf from their book (don’t blatantly copy their whole business plan/marketing/imagery) but look at how they have made it to where they are and perhaps you will find a good business model for yourself.
I was just wondering while scrolling through your blog if college is important then this post showed up. Thank you so much for sharing. I am in no way financially stable to go to college, however dreams can go a long way.
x
Great post! Even though this post is two years old, I’m sure there are people like me who browse through your site everyday and read this. I agree that college for photography is not a so called “necessary” thing. But, it helps tremendously! There are inexpensive schools out there (tuition wise) with great programs. One being Santa Monica College! Yes, a state school! It has one of the best programs around, it is extremely intense a relative to the current industry. I recently finished my next to last semester, in which one class -advanced commercial- there is 56 assignments in 12 weeks. Most of which are multiple image assignments. You shoot everything from perfume bottles to fashion, on 4×5 sheet film to medium format digital! It is amazing!! I think the most important thing you learn in college is lighting! Lighting is our tool! It’s what sets apart the pros from the rest! And school forces you to push your self, get creative, and learn the basic to advanced lighting techniques that will be your paintbrush in this industry! I say do it! Go to school or take some lighting workshops that will move your skills forward!
Thanks for this post Melissa!