Degree in Photography??

[trying2bpro]

Does anyone ever actually have a degree in photography? I am currently enrolled in an online university for a business degree, but my passion is photography. There is sooo much to learn when it comes to photography and I am considering enrolling in an online arts school and get a degree in photography. Any thoughts?? Is this a waste of time and money??

[MJPhotos24]

Depends what type of photography you want to get into as to what classes to take. The most important things to know when running a photography company is marketing and business! Like any other business it's a majority of time working on the back end then the product (i.e. 85% marketing, business, set up, etc - 15% shooting). I know people who have PJ degrees, not just "photography" degrees.

[stathunter]

I agree with MJ -- business is by far the most important - stick with business - but work with/for photographers that will mentor you.

[airfrogusmc]

I have a B/A in photography and I would say take business classes but not much in those business classes prepared me for a photography business. Those marketing classes and business classes are great if you're going to go to work at a bank or IBM but photograophy for the most part is a much different animal. If you really want to understand the business go to work for a successful photographer whose work that you admire for a few years and you will learn what to do and what not to do first hand.

The knowledge I gained from my degree in photography has helped me every day and I have worked full time in photography since the day I graduated in 1986. I wouldn't be as successful or working in the field I am now in if it weren't for the degree. Take some business classes but learn your craft especially if you plan on going into commercial/advertising or medical photography. ;)

[RDKirk]

Most university business programs are intended to create corporate cogs, not small businesspeople. There are community college programs that are much better geared to small businesspeople. Moreover, the instructors of those programs are often already networked into the local business comunities.

I think a fine arts education is a good thing in itself, but it can be a mistake to narrow that to photography. The technical aspects are easy to learn--the artistic and cultural aspects go far beyond photography itself.

[advaitin]

There has been a continuous photography program in Daytona Beach for more than 40 years, although the name of the institute changed from time to time from a vocational school to a junior college to a community college and, now, Daytona State College, with both vocational certificate and degree programs in Photography.

Students can choose their emphasis but the business of photography has always been one of the elements of the school, since many graduates go into commercial studio work.

You can take a look here at the college,

http://www.daytonastate.edu/catalog/

but you'll need to contact the photo dept directly to get any real information. It's far cheaper than Brooks or RIT and has more resources than any online school. Plus it is at the beach--what more can you ask for?

[jwoods85]

I keep getting things from NYIP- I looked at the information and course outline - i think it's a waste...

[scpictaker]

I found the course from Ai of pittsburgh online looks pretty good. You actually get a bachelor of Science degree in photography, and the school is very accredited.

[airfrogusmc]

Part of the experience for me was being with other creative people and the relationships I made.

[DDCSD]

I think getting an online degree for photography would be a waste of time and money.

You can learn what you need to know on the technical side with some research and practice.

What you would really benefit from is the contacts and relationships you develop with others and what you learn about/while interacting with others. This is where a photography degree (or minor) would be beneficial. The actual coursework is mostly secondary.

[ashleykaryl]

I did a 4 year HND course in photography here in the UK before entering photography as a profession. Frankly I think I learned more about real photography in a professional context from 2 weeks of assisting in London than in 4 years spent at art college.