business major for photography?

[MKlem]

I'm fairly new to photography, but I've grown to love it, and I want to make it more than a hobby. I want to go back to school for photography, but I'm not so much interested in the degree as in learning to improve. But I've been reading on this forum (Which is very helpful!) and I've seen some people highly suggesting a business major as well. Just curious if any of you have taken that route and found it helpful or not. Also what kind of business major would be best? Any thoughts would be helpful, this seems like a good idea to me, but I just don't know that much right now. Thanks!

[Rina Minca]

I'm also quite new to photography, but when looking into it as a proffession, I was told that it's more the skill that you can prove you have than the degree or certificate you show. If someone wants you because of your degree, then they aren't looking for a good photographer, they don't really care, they just think, "Well, they must be good because they have a degree." Whereas, you could be horrible and just barely passed, no matter wha school you went to. That's reffering to the skill.

I assume that you would want to take a business major so that you can have a good business. If that's the case, then maybe. But, I would (and I am) not because you could have a sense for it and just read up on it to continue. Subscribe to a business magazine or something and read, read read. Hear what others have to say about how to start a business and how to get yourself off the ground and how to succeed in it.

[Jim Bryant]

Business classes are gooooooooooood to take!

[LMAshton]

The thing about a business background is that, no matter what business you end up in, it always pays off.

[ZannieGirl49]

I'm not a professional photographer but I'm a business analyst and work on software implementations and process improvement. I think that a degree may be overkill but it would be good to take some classes. I was thinking of selling some images further down the road and didn't know where to start. I ended up starting on a business plan and am taking my time on it while I improve my photography. I think just looking at a business plan template would be a great place to start. It'll give you an idea of the areas you'll need to learn.

There is definitely a different language and thought process when you have a background in business. It's not just, "I want to sell some cards with my images on them." It's more like, "I want to sell some cards with my images on them. How will I market them? Do I want to hold inventory? How am I going to source them? What about the rest of the supply chain? Can I get a good ROI without pricing myself out of the market?"

Check out the Small Business Administration. There's a free business plan template here: Template. They also may have free classes in your area.

Good luck! Maybe you'll turn into an operations/process geek like me.

[LoveDSLR]

You have to wear many hats in operating a small business.

Strategy-This is the only thing that others cannot copy. Think how to turn others' selling points into your advantages.
Marketing-This is the opposite of 'a best mouse trap'. Try to convince potential customers that you are the right choice.
Accounting-How to manage your budget and cash flow.
Sales-Do you know how to make cold calls and close a sale?

[GadgetRick]

Well, I don't know about a business degree but I can say, I've seen a LOT of photogs and met a LOT of photogs. Some had business sense but the vast majority of them did not.

I recently started earning money doing this (not my day job at this time) but I also have about 17 years of sales experience. I read a lot of advice from a lot of photogs and I just shake my head at a lot of it. Photography--as a business--is just like any other business. It's not different. If you approach your photography this way, your chances of being successful are much higher. Sure, you can be successful without having a good business acumen, however, you'll be successful more by accident (or luck?).

I do suggest getting some kind of business/sales experience/knowledge. It will absolutely help you in the future and, as someone mentioned, you can use it no matter what you wind up doing when you, "grow up," so to say.

[woode]

There is no hard and fast rule that photographers have to take a degree or certificate course to become professional photographers. They should simply prove their skill in their pictures, that's all. But, a formal training will add value to your existing skill. If you want to pursue photography as a business or profession, it will be useful for you if you are trained to write a business proposal or apply marketing techniques to sell your pictures etc. A formal degree from a reputed college in business administration will be of great help. I would suggest that you enroll yourself in a business administration degree even if you are an efficient photographer. It will help turn your hobby into a profession.

[Browncoat]

I would suggest going with a 2-year business degree, with perhaps a minor in marketing. Stick with 2-year because if going into business for yourself is the ultimate goal, you'll get a lot more practical experience and education than going for a bachelor's...which has a lot of unnecessary courses.

(And this is just my opinion) Going to photography school or getting a degree in photojournalism might only be helpful if you were looking to work for a professional studio.