Photography In College & Post-college...

[.Joel]

Hi everyone,

I'm a senior in high school and I want to study photography in college. Many of the degrees offered are in Studio Art, Graphic Design, etc. Initially, I was going to major in graphic design but I honestly enjoy photography much more. Consequently, I want to get into the photography field, so chances are high that I'll be in the studio art courses.

I was just wondering what you (or the typical professional photographer) would (or did) study in college and what degree did you earn to get you into the photography industry.

Also, it seems clear that most of the money is to be made in commercial photography; I have no problem getting into this area. But at the same time, I'd like to focus on taking portrait and nature photos. Ideally, I'd like to spend my time taking pictures for CD artwork and stuff like that.

Something else that's been on my mind is the demand for photographers. I'm passionate about photography but I also want to think logically; is there really money to be made in photography? Is the field consistent? And what else can I do (other that just taking photos) with my knowledge and future degree? In other words, what jobs can I get with my experience. And finally, what are employers looking for?

I'm sort of the worry-wart type; needless to say, I think about this stuff a lot. =P Any info that you all can offer will be most appreciated.

Thanks a bunch!
- Joel

[mrerico]

Hi everyone,

I'm a senior in high school and I want to study photography in college. Many of the degrees offered are in Studio Art, Graphic Design, etc. Initially, I was going to major in graphic design but I honestly enjoy photography much more. Consequently, I want to get into the photography field, so chances are high that I'll be in the studio art courses.

I was just wondering what you (or the typical professional photographer) would (or did) study in college and what degree did you earn to get you into the photography industry.

Also, it seems clear that most of the money is to be made in commercial photography; I have no problem getting into this area. But at the same time, I'd like to focus on taking portrait and nature photos. Ideally, I'd like to spend my time taking pictures for CD artwork and stuff like that.

Something else that's been on my mind is the demand for photographers. I'm passionate about photography but I also want to think logically; is there really money to be made in photography? Is the field consistent? And what else can I do (other that just taking photos) with my knowledge and future degree? In other words, what jobs can I get with my experience. And finally, what are employers looking for?

I'm sort of the worry-wart type; needless to say, I think about this stuff a lot. =P Any info that you all can offer will be most appreciated.

Thanks a bunch!
- Joel


Look into wedding photography, college sports, fashion, pet photography, food photography....there are all sorts of things you just need to know how to represent yourself to whoever your audience is.

[jklewer]

I'm a firm believer that photography should be a passion first, job later. When I started shooting (only about two years ago) I never really planned on making any money with it, I just wanted to do it. A year later, I was shooting weddings almost every weekend as a second which is not something I am very passionate for, but it pays bills for sure. It you are all about commercial photography, than PURSUE IT for sure, but make sure you love what you're doing before you get too far! Cheers, John

[MJPhotos24]

#1 - Stop worrying, you're a senior in high school so enjoy it. Try different things, you have the luxury of having "models" everywhere around you - your friends.

#2 - Classes in college, you're far better suited to ask an advisor at the school. There's always classes that cover a lot of different areas. Someone here that went to school for it would be able to help but you'll need to know lighting, you'll need BUSINESS classes, and you'll need to be good with a computer. The business of photography is just that, a lot of marketing and back end work and only a little shooting.

#3 - Commercial photography, yes there's money there and yes it's a hard field to get into. What type of commercial photography is the question, there's commercial photography in every field - have to ask yourself what you want to shoot most...but be prepared to shoot anything.

#4 - CD artwork and stuff like that - this ranges all over the place and there's thousands of photogs who want to do this. Small bands don't pay jack crap, big bands do, but it's more and more competitive every year. Not impossible but it could take awhile or ya could get a break early depending on what you do in college to build up a portfolio.

#5 - Demand for photographers is all over the place. There will always be companies that want professional photography. There will always be companies that think there cousin Eddy who once saw a camera on TV could take just as good pics as a pro, and they have NO problem settling for it cuz it's cheap or free. What's happening a lot though is companies are bringing photography in house, papers are giving reporters P&S's saying to shoot away and hope for one, companies are putting cheap studios in there offices and putting someone in charge of random photos.

#6 - Money, it can range from poor to very good and depends on your BUSINESS and MARKETING skills. You could go one year making $20,000 and the next making $50,000 to the next making $20,000 again. IF you're freelancing and doing your own thing that is, if you land on with a company that's different. Also while on the subject if you are doing it all on your own you have to pay self-employment taxes and for all your benefits (health, life insurance, retirement, etc.) on your own.

#7 - Consistent - hmm, the field is consistently inconsistent.

#8 - Expand your future degree with having a minor in something other than the same field. Early on you're going to have to take classes that are a basis for any degree, dable around if you can (advisor again) so you can expand more and decide later. In year two of my college I almost changed majors totally, wasn't too late because I did a couple routes at once - wish I had kinda now.

#9 - What experience? Shooting in classes in college isn't "real life" experience in some eyes. Get some working for others in the summer to see the real life way things work - wedding photographers may need an assistant, I use one in sports occassionally. Might not be shooting but you're seeing how the business is done first hand instead of a prof telling you how it's run.

#10 - Employers are looking for a lot of things. Some employers are looking for cheap and could care less about quality. Some are looking for quality and could care less about price. Some are looking for quick and dont care either way. We all know the triangle of Good-Quick-Cheap, you can't touch all three - you want cheap/quick it isn't going to be good and so on. The GOOD clients will always want hard working professionals that know what they are doing. You'll have some clients you like and others that drive you nuts.

#11 - Be prepared to hate it. From my experience just observing photogs around here and through the companies I shoot for it has a high turn over rate. You get people who get sick of the little things and only want to have fun shooting and not treat it as a job. It is a job, and can be a fun one, but not always. So be prepared in the future to change jobs, take a break, etc. If you "make it" you can have a hellova time doing what you love to do but it's not always easy. The bubble can break and times when you want to re-invent yourself so good to have a backup plan or two.

[p4olom]

#2 - Classes in college, you're far better suited to ask an advisor at the school. There's always classes that cover a lot of different areas. Someone here that went to school for it would be able to help but you'll need to know lighting, you'll need BUSINESS classes, and you'll need to be good with a computer. The business of photography is just that, a lot of marketing and back end work and only a little shooting.



+1 on business and marketing :cool:

[PhotosGuy]

"How did you get started" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=174508)

What has the evolution of your photography cycle been like? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=420938)

Advertising - how to Start (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=357487)

See the .pdf link: Some Ideas for Creating Work and Getting Clients for Your New Photography Business (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4947428&postcount=15)

How did you become a pro (or semi-pro)? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41194)

How do I get started? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=517170)- Nature shots

So you want to be a photographer? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=544289)

[JDMist3hFastar]

I'm glad I'm not taking photo classes in college. My girlfriend loved taking photos but once she started taking these classes, she thinks of it as work instead of fun. These are "fine art" photography classes so that could be the problem but some of her projects are just boring as hell. My advice, take photos for fun and try and get an assistant/second shooter job down the road.

[.Joel]

Sorry for the late response; I've just been really busy lately. Anyway, thanks so much for the information--it's been so helpful. Great tips, MJ. And I'll definitely go through the links, PhotosGuy.

I wasn't sure whether I wanted to make photography my career at first. It began as just something I loved doing. But I figured if I'm gonna do something for the rest of my life, it might as well be something I'm passionate about.

Thanks again, and any further tips/advise would greatly be appreciated. :)