[MtnTopRebel]

Christine, please excuse my standing, jumping and screaming at the top of my voice while on my soap box. First my background, not to brag, but to lay out my case. I am the son of a professional Photographer, My father (became a honorary Master from Brooks, as they didn't have the masters when he attended) and Uncle were Brooks men. I cut my first tooth in a studio, and was the often subject of photo assignments of my father while at Brooks. By junior high I had my own dark room and covered sports and dance events at the school/s, printed and sold my work. I also mixed daily 55 gallon vats of photo chemicals for a studio/photo finisher. After graduation and some college I worked in the photo lab at Hanford Nuk facility in the Tri-Cities WA. Then after meeting my wife moved to Utah where I worked in a large film finishing plant in plant maintenance and mixed more chemicals. Later I went to work for a company owned by the late Don Blair also a Master Photographer, where I personally photographed (I estimate one quarter million people) in individuals, and groups. I also learned color printing there. Later we started our own business where I did both portraiture and ran the lab. I personally never had time to seek a Master status, but have held a camera a few times.
Now for the rant! In my years of working with, and around other "photographers" I have formed some opinions which, have become a pet frustration. This is Junior Colleges and some university trained photographers. I'm 62, I have seen a lot of things come and go with photography, but the one thing that just shouldn't change is proper composure in photography, especially portraiture. Many "photographers" trying to do a glamorous shots so butcher the grace and beauty of say a young lady that it is criminal. It is not necessarily the fault of the photographer, but the one who taught them to do it that way. You see many "photographers" do not succeed as self employed photographers, so they get a job in some junior college without the proper training themselves and work their way up, making more like themselves. And the cycle is complete. Now I am not saying this is true in all cases, you may get a good professional and if you do GREAT! I know a gal, who was raised in a photo background similar to mine, her daughter went to a college and got a do goodie instructor who threw out the tried and true principals of composure and the concepts of the masters, for free expression, creative license. Some said (maybe it was here on a post) but that before you can break the rules, you need to know the rules. So many of these people have no clue what is proper, and when they get through cranking some young lady head around for a glamour shot it is a shot only a chiropractor would love.
OK as I step down from my soap box, cool off a little. My suggestions are these. If you want photo training find a professional who would be willing to teach you, preferably a Master, or one well respected in the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) or find a professor who has gone to Brooks or is a respected PPA master. check the instructors history, credentials, and qualifications. And if possible instead of going for a degree try some of his classes. And as mentioned in another response consider, classes in business, marketing, computer graphics, and maybe some art classes especially dealing with the old masters, remember the rules for proper photography were an adaption of the old masters. and get computer website training.
By the way photographers are in the top 10 for business failures. So learn the ropes and I wish you all the success.