Should I go to college if I want to be a photographer?

Question

I am thinking about becoming a proffessional nature photographer.

Is college required, helpful, or not needed.

Answer 1

You could enroll in a Photography program, maybe at your local community college if you can't afford to pay for art school. That will help you get some basic knowledge about photography, plus you can start networking while you are there -- your instructors will probably be professionals in the field who may help you get a photography related job or an internship, or your classmates may know someone, and so on. Just make sure you don't leave it all to college. A degree is fine, but you should try to get some hands-on experience in the meantime. If you could find a photographer who will let you apprentice, as someone suggested, it would be awesome. You will probably learn more than in school, but, sadly enough, when you look for a job, many companies will require that you have a college degree and most of the times an associates isn't even enough. If you have an awesome portfolio, but no college degree appears in your resume, most companies will probably trash your resume without even bothering to look at your portfolio, no matter how good it is. So, my advice is, take at least some classes and see how it goes from there. Meanwhile, start taking your nature pictures, submit them to local magazines or photography websites/contests/shows, so that the right people out there start noticing you and your work.

Answer 2

Here's some advice from someone who has been there. I fully believe college is a good option for everyone, but my personal college experience was a waste of time. I was a photo major in an art school, and spent years doing artsy fartsy stuff, that yes, did give me a lot of good info and experience, but my first 6 months out of college working in a professional photo developing lab taught me loads more than college ever did. I got to see how things were done in the real world, and not in a classroom where just about anything is acceptable, and the teachers always try to find something nice to say no matter how crappy your work is. What you need to do, if you opt not to waste 4 years and several thousand dollars is find a photographer that will allow you to apprentice. That in itself is a tough gig to get, especially with no experience. Get a job at a good professional photo place, not the drug store developing snapshot, go where the pros go. You can network, and learn all at the same time. It's how I got into it. But this is what you have to realize as a nature photographer, everything has already been done. Just about every stretch of land in this world has been photographed and is already been sold to a stock photo agency. And that really is your only option, to sell to stock agencies or send them around hoping to get published in magazines. There are no open jobs trolling around the world taking beautiful pictures for lots and lots of money, and only the very cream of the crop get gigs like National Geographic. It's a tough job to get consistant work. I truly love nature photography and I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

College is certainly not required but might be helpful in terms of teaching you skills that would help in running your own photography business later on (see below).

However, since you already know what you want to do, you're better off going to a photography program at an art, vocational or technical school. This route will usually be much, much cheaper than a traditional college or university and will focus (no pun intended) on the specific knowledge you need to succeed in the business.

I would also recommend that you speak with professional photographers, especially the ones you admire, and ask them how they got started and what it takes to make it in the business.

Later on, you can take community college courses on starting a small business, finance, accounting, marketing, etc. to help with your business. The more you can do on your own, the more you can keep your expenses low and the more profit you can make to spend on better equipment, finding new customers, etc.

Best of luck!!!

Answer 4

Some solid courses in photography will help but are not absolutely imperative depending on what type of photography you want to do. Look into college on this one, however. It could prove beneficial, especially with all the stuff they are doing with computer enhanced photography and things like that.

Answer 5

College is always helpful. I believe that there are schools that have photography programs, it not, i am sure you can go with a general liberal arts program. A degree is always nice to have, and its amazing how many doors it can open up for you. Just remember, it can't hurt you, only help!

Answer 6

if you want to get hired yes. Regardless on what you think you know about taking photographs you probably know very little. If you plan on being a studio artist a formal education is not required but I highly recommend it.

Answer 7

I would at least take some photography courses at the local community college. This won't just give you credentials. It will help sharpen your skills.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 8

Hi, I recommand you to try google picasa.

picasa is a Google's photo software. It's what should've come with your camera.

it can upload/download your camera to your PC.

It can Edit , organise and Share you picture and small video clips.

you can make your ablum with picasa very easy.

It's very easy to use and is free, just like Google

Download it free in here:

http://www.adcenter.net.cn/google-picasa/

Good Luck!

Answer 9

i think u should go, i meen just in case somehting goes wrong or whatever, and u could get an awsome paying job if u show them ur degree. my aunt is really into photorgaphy, she is awsome at it too

Answer 10

i think that you should. but it's just me. the reason y is that u could learn more and my aunt is a photographer and she went 2 college. so i would say GO TO COLLEGE!