how did you become "pro"

[yulchick]

just wondering if all proffessional photographers (hope people arent gonna start explaining what proffesional is to them, cause there is a thread about it in this section) I'm thinking those who have a studio ( some might not) and are making their entire living of photography, went to school prior to becoming "pro" or if some are actually self tought? I guess a self tought photographer can be as good as one that went to school in this field, but its probably beneficial to have that deploma hanging on the wall to grap people;s interest, am I wrong?

so just wondering whats the rought percentage of one being eather self tought or getting there throught going to school...

[Durnik20]

Im in school getting a diploma now. The thought is that people like to see that someone is educated plus there is alot to learn there.

Having said that some of the best photographers in the world never got a degree. Like Ansel Adams. my personal favorite, yousef karsh never went to school at all after high school

[veritasimagery]

Originally Posted by Durnik20

Im in school getting a diploma now. The thought is that people like to see that someone is educated plus there is alot to learn there.

I think it depends on the type of photography. I mean, really, how many of us have had portraits done at those commercial places, like at Sears or JCPenny's (in the US)? Did you look to see if the person behind the camera had a diploma? Probably not. And many of them have simply been trained by the studio itself, and really know nothing about photography itself.

I think that a good portfolio is 10 times better than a good looking diploma.


Kevin
Veritas Imagery NW

[lonni]

I kind of fell into it, a hobby led to a profession, liek a lot of people. I had high school and mentoring for the technical and creative sides, self taught as well.

I looked at going to school to get the paper for the knowledge to pleas ethe few how worried about it, but ws pretty much told it wod be a waste of time and money, but i did get a casual lecturing spot out of it.

as the previous poster said, a good portfolio is better than a piece of paper, but some people put a lot of stock into the paper, but it depends on the area.

I found it hard to get a break into the protrait side, even though my commercial customers rave about me.

[danbaileyphoto]

I bought a camera while I was in music college for recording engineering and fell in love with photography. I shot and practiced my craft for the next five years, while working a number of regular jobs. Then I got a job as assistant editor at a small stock photo agency in Boston, which taught me a tremendous amount about how the business works. The experience that I gained from that job gave me necessary skills and knowledge and prepared me for my future career as a pro photographer.

After moving to Colorado and working for a year at a digital photo lab, I got laid off and never looked back.

Self taught can work perfectly well, as long as you pick up the necessary business knowledge that you'll need in order to turn photography into a successful career. And even then, it's a tough road, but ultimately it depends more on you as a person rather than where and how you got trained.

[yulchick]

hmm that totally makes sence... I love photography, it would be even more amazing to make money doing what you love...after having a hard time deciding on a career, i made up my mind going into physiotherapy, that was until i fell in love with my DSLR...now im torn between the two.I still have a year until im gonna go to school. I just feel that im settling down for physiotherapy cause I know I'll get a well paying job right after graduating, while people tell me that professional photography is super hard field to get into.

Im pretty sure i got what it takes, aspecially if I'll go to school of photography to learn all the techniques , plus learn the business side of it. I do need to work on being tough tho! I'm a pretty nice person, and its kinda hard for me as I try to please everyone.

i just know that a safe way out is going into physiotherapy : / But than i know ill have that "i should of gone into photography feeling" for the rest of my physiotheraphy career...or vise versa haha if that makes sence

[Jim Bryant]

My father, an Army photographer, with the Pacific Stars & Stripes in Tokyo, gave me for Christmas his old hand me down Argus 35mm camera for Christmas. He taught me how to develop and print. Every summer I landed a summer hire job as lab tech, working with some of the best military photojournalist and it sort of rubbed off on me. Joined the Navy in 1973 as a journalist, got out in 83 and never looked back. Now, 40 plus years later I are one.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by veritasimagery

I think that a good portfolio is 10 times better than a good looking diploma.

Totally agree with this!
I don't have a degree or any formal training. I had a mentor though (who recently passed away). Although, I do make some money through photography, I am still not comfortable with the term 'pro.' I am just a photographer.

I was standing on the corner of Santa Monica and Rodeo Dr and was discovered there whilst under a police sting on under cover johns looking for cheap proselytizers of the filmy kind.

Ya, know really secret squirrel kinda shit.


I got my nipple pierced for nothing.

[m2photography]

I went to school and now have a bachelors in Photography. What did I learn? Not much. I would definitely consider myself being self taught. I'm also a full time working photographer, with my wife. We primarily shoot weddings.

How we got here? Started on craigslist and just kept going. We've been shooting full time for over 2 years and are now moving half way across the country to open up in a new market. (fingers crossed!)

If you have a love for photography and are capable, nothing should stop you. It took us less than 2 years to go full time.