I want to become a photographer but I do not want to go to college or take any classes. Is this possible?

Question

My name is Amanda, I am 18 years old and I will be graduating from the Graphic Arts shop at my Vocational high school in 5 months. I am really interested in photography. I love doing it and I am really good at it.

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible, and it's just what I did, and was fairly successful as a photographer.
I learned from books and practice, practice, practice.
The books I recommend are as follows:
The Time-Life Photography Series. You can get them volume-by-volume at any used book store, usually $1-to-$3 apeice. Well worth it.
Also, Ansel Adams' books: The Camera; The Negative; and The Print.
These books are expensive, but will take you into the realm of the greats, and will increase the quality of your work and your eye many times over.
Best of luck to you!

By the way, I feel I must respond to Puppetman, below. I know his advice is well-intentioned, but as someone who has had to work for and deal with those companies, Olan Mills and Glamour Shots, they DO NOT hire you for any photographic skills. Rather, you simply use their templates and poses, and push the button on their camera. They really hire you to do the selling of the photos after you've shot them, on commission. They do not allow any learning of photography on their watch, or any creativity at all. Also, some of them have policies in place where they will not allow crossdressers, drag queens, or Gay couples to be photographed. I have a problem with that. Their excuse to me was that they were a "family values company" and felt it was immoral to photograph such people.
I think you'd be better off shooting products for small companies, or do what I did: shoot events and people around the community and take them to your local newspaper. Eventually, if you're good, they might start handing you paid assignments!

Answer 2

Whoa! Don't get ahead of yourself...it sounds like some callers want you to start selling your pictures and going into business for yourself...what's the rush? It takes time. Would you really want to become an instant success? People don't think before they speak. I wouldn't. Robert Frost didn't publish his first poem until he was 40. Anyway, It is very possible. If you have the time and the money to attend college, do it. For someone my age, 37, who has been to college, although not for photography, it's not about that. I have been told by one of the best architectural photographers in New England and maybe the country, to read books on photography and take lots of pictures, among other things that he suggested...my point is, try to think outside the box. College is very expensive as you know and is no substitute for the real world, college can be a distraction! Frankly, I'm tired of hearing about a well-rounded education, people that say that sound like a broken record, travel, see the world.

Answer 3

You've got some great answers above, but I want to add a personal spin. My sister graduated from the school in Philly now known as the University of the Arts. This is a "prestigious" school. She said that she didn't really learn that much about photography in school that she didn't already know. I'm not saying that I know more than her, but we both pursued photography as a hobby when we were younger and our father taught us an amazing amount.

She recently said that anyone who "wasted money" on tuition for a degree in photography was crazy. Mind you, she was quite successful and had a great career in commercial photography until she married a millionaire and retired, so these are not sour grapes. She said that the MAIN advantage to going to school for photography is to meet people who will be contacts in the business. If you don't know much about photography, of course, you will need someone to teach you, but if you have half a wit about you, you can take courses from technical centers and direct your own education according to where your interests lie and where you feel inadequate.

Just a thought...

Answer 4

Years ago people had apprentices. That gave way to college, since many business people don't have the time to train an apprentice.

You have asked a very interesting question. A professional photographer (or photography studio) might hire you for certain jobs, such as school photos, but would not take the risk on things like weddings, where you have to have a proven track record. Try Olan Mills. I think they might hire and train. You could also check out the photography departments at Wal-Mart or Sears and see if they hire and train. This will give you an income and teach you things while you practice on your own after the job.

I know that entertainers (ventriloquists, puppeteers, magicians, etc.) are always looking for photos that are copyright free, so they can use them in advertising. Go through your yellow pages and let them know they can have a photo shoot and you'll give them the disc of photos for their own use. The fee is $_____ but you'll charge them half price if they will put a link on their website to yours.

Advertise in Parent Monthly magazines that you will come and do photos at their home.

Find professional graphic arts places in town and let them know of your photography services for any customers who need photos taken.

Real Estate agents always need photos of homes. Have a portfolio to show them.

Work with the local "Sell it Yourself" group to take photos.

Answer 5

I spent many years as a pro photog and as a graphic artist doing corporate work. I did not go to school to do it I just evolved into it.

Be a photographer now... Shoot all the time... catalog and file your stock and outtakes. shoot friends in exchange for prints...

Learn by going to the bookstore and studying the photo section.
Work as hard at it as you would college and it will pay you greater rewards.

General Education is not necessary... not required. But an eye for beauty or documentary is.

Beaux

Answer 6

I agree with Zeebya. Many of us learned on our own by reading and by experimenting and doing more reading on the subject. Taking classes is merely a shortcut to trial and error since you'll just get the information you're bound to stumble upon. You must have an understanding of composition, complimentary and complementary colors, cropping, lighting know-how, etc. You can also learn as you go along... which is also a great adventure! I started out by reading and taking photos of friends and relatives, and eventually did weddings, Christenings, graduations, portraits, etc., and even evidence photography to present in landlord/tenant courts for a number of years with the Legal Aid Society and the opposing attorneys could never break me... I did my homework! It helped me go to college and enabled me to support my then-wife who was also in college (different fields in education).

Let me first say that going to college is not as dreary as being in high school (academic or vocational); there are more freedoms, and one's success is based on one's ability to act responsibly and stay up with the class on your own... no one is going to send your parents a note to scold you and order you to study... you're on your own, and you pass/fail in accordance with your own efforts. Going to college/university that specializes in photography will also give you many opportunities to learn many other things (many of which are just fun to learn), plus help you make contact with other students who will be your future source for referrals for jobs, assignments, etc (a/k/a: networking). AND you will also learn other skills that will help you find employment when the photography business may be slow (like working as a technician in PhotoShop whether for a company or for yourself with other photographers), or knowing how to run the machines that develop and print commercially. Hey, if you can't pull with the bulls, learn to use the cows to pull the load!

Another suggestion would be for you to see if you can do a sort of apprenticeship with an established professional photographer so that you can learn how to deal with difficult lighting situations, and other "tricks of the trade." You'll gain experience and earn some money. That doesn't mean that you can have your own side business. In time, you can set out to do portraits, starting out with friends, acquaintances and even neighbors. You can assist with weddings until you feel comfortable enough to go solo. And you can also do graduations (less stressful than weddings) and baptismal/Christenings, or pet photography, or baby photography; make contact with a few catering businesses and/or a few flower shops to recommend you (naturally, they'll want a "finder's fee," which I am wholeheartedly against) and keep tabs on the better caterers and flower shops (if you recommend one and they act irresponsibly, it will naturally reflect on YOU...). Get to know other services/businesses related to photography, too. Album companies, for example. Companies that rent photography equipment... etc. You never know when this will come in handy; keep this information in a little black book as contacts.

How far you go in photography will be based on your skills and talents, your communication skills, how you market yourself and your PASSION to overcome the obstacles and problems you are sure to encounter (when I say PASSION, think in terms of how how dedicated you are and how much tenacity, perseverance and persistence you have... you must be fanatical to overcome any/all shortcomings you may have).

Can you become a professional without going to college? Yes, but it won't be easy. Have others done it? Yes, but they are in the minority and the exception to the rule in today's every changing technology, and they had great academic and communication skills to begin with. By all means, keep shooting photos and keep honing your skills and talents. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 7

you could probably have a small business taking pictures for people, or selling your art. you can sell photography pretty easily, especially if its really good!

Answer 8

Try it!
I think sgin up for classes at your community college and see if you really want to do it