Education?

[terri33inne]

I'm curious to know from the pro's on this website... Did you become a photographer with formal education (ie bachelor's, or masters in photography from a college or university?), through a certification program from a trade school, with no formal training just a lot of reading & trial & error on your own, or some other way?

I'm seriously considering a career change, and was looking into going back to school to become a teacher, but now I'm considering photography, and am just wondering what steps would be involved to do this as my profession.

[candleman]

there are only 2 full time Professional photographers on this board (to my knowlege).

I'll PM you their names.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by candleman

there are only 2 full time Professional photographers on this board (to my knowlege).

I'll PM you their names.

Only two? You know, now that I think about it, if you include the "full time" criteria. I can really only think of two of us off the top of my head, but I'm sure there have to be more.

I know there are a lot more that derive a good bit of income from photography so I think they fit the poll's target audience too.

[Eastree]

I'm certainly not a professional (yet ... maybe freelance or something in the future).

So far, I've learned everything I know from reading, reading, reading, watching some videos, forums, and trying things suggested and talked about on web sites, forums, and in books. I feel that if someone researches enough, reads and practices enough, that person can learn as much as in a course.

That said, I fully doubt that I would not run into information that would surprise or even astound me if I took even a basic class ... or even if I found regular meetings with other local photographers. Even if I could expose everything wonderfully in a photograph, there will be things I'll miss by not having a classroom-type education, or at least better networking with other local photographers. Even with networking, I'd still want to take a class.

Of course, the type of class(es) you choose to take will depend on you. I'm debating whether I'd want to spend enough to get an associate's degree, or simply a certification, or even a bachelor's degree. In the mean time, I'm considering a short course which will be a rapid exposure to principles of photography, and many different types of photography which I will likely not explore on my own. The class offers no degree or certification. The class is, however, a serious venture which requires just as much, if not more (because of the breadth of topics in such little time), dedication and work from the students than some other courses might. And best of all, it helps to produce better rounded photographers, who also leave the class with a much more diverse portfolio.


tl;dr:
Classes may not be completely necessary, but they can be incredibly beneficial.

[Jim Bryant]

I learned a lot on my own or through on-the-job training. However, I really refined my eye and skills by taking college courses and learning how to think outside the box and become creative.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

I learned a lot on my own or through on-the-job training. However, I really refined my eye and skills by taking college courses and learning how to think outside the box and become creative.

Sounds fun.... I wish I would of like done a minor in photography when I was getting my CS degree. One thing I did realized later on is if I would of had formal training I would of got through all the fundamental learning much quicker....

So if you have the time and money and are starting out I think some sort of formal training would be a good idea. Also it is good to have a very good and diverse portfolio.

BTW terri33inne Jim is one of the real pro's..

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Only two? You know, now that I think about it, if you include the "full time" criteria. I can really only think of two of us off the top of my head, but I'm sure there have to be more.

I know there are a lot more that derive a good bit of income from photography so I think they fit the poll's target audience too.

true

in my definition,
Professional = derrives primary income from

I guess wouldn't personally want to say "this is how i made it" ...because i havn't made it, well not yet anyway.
makig $$ yes, but not a full career change. .......yet


OK terri,
just for giggles.. heres my humble story, and what i think would get you there.
I'm currently still working my day job, and working hard to build things up.
So i dont refer to myself as a Professional.

I'm basically self taught from forums, blogs, experimentation, practice. . and because i love it, its realy not difficult to learn and pick-up techniques.

As i'm now in my second year as a registered business, i'm finding the photography really is the easy part.
The hard part is: accounting/book keeping, client relations, marketing, copyright, contracts, legal nonsense,
only 20-30% of the actual work is taking & editing the pictures. Hence the high charge out rates.

if i had an opportunity to do a class in those areas, say Small busness management.. i'd jump at the chance. Unfortunatley i dont have the time for that commitment, so i have been buying/checking out books on the subjects and reading in my own time.

i dont want to knock qualifications, you can learn allot from a photography class... but many photographers in my area that boast about affiliations and qualifications, seldom have the goods to back it up. If you're a brilliant marketer/blogger with a great personality, i think you have a much better chance of "making it", than someone with exceptional images but the personality of a wet cat and poor marketing abilities.
Its even better if you're a great photograpgher, good with people and have a good marketing sense.

So, heres my recommendation.
If you are prepared to study, study business/sales and marketing as well.
Hell, study both Photography AND business if you get the opportunity... but my emphasis wouldnt be on the photogrpahy.

Dont get me wrong, you need to be able to take above average images for the hobbyist community, but its not all about the images.

[naeno]

I'm self-taught, with lots to learn, but many happy clients. Books, blogs, DPS, you name it, I've tried to get my hands on it. I would LOVE to take a continuing education course at a college that is near my home, but finances and family life prevent it right now. However, I have an assistant who I'm mentoring. He's 13, and I was talking about photography with him the other day. He LOVES photography and has studied a lot. I told him when he goes to college his best bet would be to major in Business and minor in Photography. He could make good money shooting wedding during college, or not, he could end up with a very flourishing photography business long term, or not. Either way, the business skills that he would have would ALWAYS come in handy no matter what life threw at him.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by naeno

I'm self-taught, with lots to learn, but many happy clients. Books, blogs, DPS, you name it, I've tried to get my hands on it. I would LOVE to take a continuing education course at a college that is near my home, but finances and family life prevent it right now. However, I have an assistant who I'm mentoring. He's 13, and I was talking about photography with him the other day. He LOVES photography and has studied a lot. I told him when he goes to college his best bet would be to major in Business and minor in Photography. He could make good money shooting wedding during college, or not, he could end up with a very flourishing photography business long term, or not. Either way, the business skills that he would have would ALWAYS come in handy no matter what life threw at him.

Good advice.........so true!

[bhursey]

Im one of those people who needs better business sense... I break even each year.. :P but I am not actively going out and wanting to get really busy... I have a family so I like about one shoot a month.. I could do more but I would not have any time to spend with my family because of PP and management.

So I guess you could say im avoiding success.

Ok back on topic...

If you want to be successful and start a real steady income. I really think the small business classes would benefit you more than the photography classes. All the photography information, and feed back you can get is all available to you on this site. All I have to say is keep shooting and learning every shoot you go on the more things you learn the better your photographs become the more natural it becomes. Most of your clients will come from referrals and people seeing your work from pictures you take of their friends and family. 99% of my clients are friends and family of past clients... I have only actually had one client that found me on the web only....