Is a degree really necessary for photography?

[DedeB]

I started out taking a photography class in a local community college. I have read a lot of books and practiced the techniques. But that being said I do this for a hobby, not a career.

I know that if I was planning on doing photography as a career, I would look for a professional photographer in the area who is doing well and try to get hired as an assistant.

If your town has a college program with good reviews in the photography department, then why not take some classes to learn more? It certainly won't hurt you. If you plan on starting your own business, then why not take some small business classes.

Good luck!

[Pasq]

Originally Posted by southernbelle

I second what Liz said. A degree is definitely not necessary. However, as with all trades, training always helps.

A wise person once told me soceity can take everything away from a person except what they hold in their heart and mind.

I took that as no matter what, no one can take what what we've learned away from us.

I mentioned the degrees I have and the type of company I work for one reason, employers mostly don't care what a degree is in, just that you have one.

Is a degree necessary for your art, NO.

However, society has placed an importance on finishing an education.

I quoted Mattdm and said he is insightful because I think he is. If you are going to university, major in something you're passionaite about. People tend to be impressed with certificates, diplomas, degrees....is that wrong? I my honest opinion, YES! Does it tell the truth about someone's expertise, NO! Is it the way of the world, sadly yes...

University is only partly about what's learned in a classroom. It's my thought real learning takes place in things like student study groups.

That's why I joined this forum.

Okay, I sound like a lecturing dad and I apologize.

[DarlaGR06]

I think that experience is as important as a degree in photography. I have had no formal training and most of the jobs I have gotten by word of mouth. They saw photos I had taken for someone else. I also have alot of repeat customers. But on the other hand, I have found that most studios want to hire someone with a degree or at least a student. And as stated before, they do not care what you are studying or what your degree is in.

[lacealou81]

As far as I'm concerned...*and I haven't read the other posts* talent trumps education. If you are skilled and have taught yourself...if you know your craft....if you love it, have passion, rock at what you do, then your work will be your calling card, and no one, and i mean no one will ask to see your diploma.

If you are starting your own biz, it doesn't matter (all that matters is what you know) but I suppose getting hired is another thing. Honestly, as I said, I feel like skill and knowledge trumps it.

[Liz Caldwell]

Originally Posted by DedeB

I know that if I was planning on doing photography as a career, I would look for a professional photographer in the area who is doing well and try to get hired as an assistant.

This CAN work, but not always... I used to assist for a wedding photographer (high dollar photographer, $3k for a wedding usually), and she tried very hard not to teach me much, since her last 3 assistants went off and opened their own business and became competition for her...

Another photographer I worked for was happy to teach me the tricks, though... just depends on the photographer.

[KatzPhotography]

Originally Posted by lacealou81

As far as I'm concerned...*and I haven't read the other posts* talent trumps education. If you are skilled and have taught yourself...if you know your craft....if you love it, have passion, rock at what you do, then your work will be your calling card, and no one, and i mean no one will ask to see your diploma.

If you are starting your own biz, it doesn't matter (all that matters is what you know) but I suppose getting hired is another thing. Honestly, as I said, I feel like skill and knowledge trumps it.

I wholeheartedly agree... I am opening my own business and have no formal training. I don't even have a actual diploma, just a GED. I am completely self taught and I get most of my jobs from word of mouth. I have multiple jobs lined up and hope to have my studio finished this year. I am constantly learning new things and think that a degree would only be a piece of paper to me, it would not say how good of a photographer I was.

[ditch_azeroth]

imho, experience trumps degrees in photography. having your name niched is probably the harder thing to establish.

[neilwood]

Having passed a degree doesnt mean that you have done anything other than passed the exams.

I would rather have someone with a proven portfolio take my "must haves" than someone with all the degrees available.

[Pasq]

as i've said all along, a degree is not necessary for most of the arts. Talent does trumpt a formal education everytime.

BUT! As was stated by myself and another person on this thread, if you're going to get a degree, get one in something you're passionate about. Something that gives your heart and soul breath. Something keeps the light in your eyes shining. That's my only point.

IMHO, Katz has more courage and dedication than most people with a high school diploma. I have my reasons for saying that.

Personally, i am going to get my degree. I have three reasons. The first one, I don't have much talent. The second one, I work for a place that is paying for it and they don't care what degrees they pay for. The third, i just want to learn all i can. it's why i post my lame pictures here, why i read all the threads, why i buy as many books as i can find, why i shoot photographs.

i hold the highest respect for each person in this forum, and some envy.

the things i see here just blow me away and drive me to learn more.

[wannabehorsephotographer]

I am hoping to become a professional in this biz someday. I have a B.S. in Ag, however, I find the most limiting aspect in becoming a professional photographer not my photographic abilities, but the business side of things (and I actually took a lot of business type classes to get my degree). I can't afford, nor do I want to spend the time, to go back to school for another degree, so I am learning all I can through library books and the internet. In the U.S., in my state at least, the public librarys can find you almost any book you want, sometimes it takes a week or two to get in, but you can read about anything for free. I seriously doubt I would learn as much about photography as I have in the past four months from taking a college course.
I am also trying to arrange working a little here and there with another professional in the equine photography biz to get some experience.
I would suggest that if you are going to work for yourself that you get a degree in business - at least take a small business course. And if you live in the US (this may be available in other countries too - sorry I am very culturally undiverse?) get in touch with your local economic development director or your local SCORE chapter www.score.org there is a lot of help out there - free small business counseling, help getting financing, etc.
Good luck!
~wannabe