I have a fine art degree and i want to do photography, but my parents tell me im not going to be a photograper

Question

how can i prove them wrong, not many jobs around here

Answer 1

So go to where the jobs are. Only your own fear is stopping you.

Answer 2

You prove them wrong by getting a job as a photographer. Just because they don't think you can do it doesn't mean you can't. (What else are you going to do with your Fine Art degree?) What kind of photography are you talking about? Freelance news? Portraits? Weddings? Advertising? Artistic?

The toughest option is to try to sell your photos as art. If that's the plan, you probably need to move to a big city with some demand for that kind of thing.

If you want to be a wedding photographer, you should find one where you are, and see if you can work as an assistant or something. That will get you experience that you can eventually use to strike out on your own.

The same is pretty much true as a portrait photographer. Look for a job at an established company like Olan Mills or Glamour Shots.

Trying to be a freelance news photographer is pretty much impossible these days.

The most important thing is that it doesn't matter in the least what your parents think. You have a college degree for God's sake, you're a grown up!

Answer 3

Well, I would say that a photographer doesn't need a job to be a photographer. That is one basic thing to realize.

If you want to be a photographer, go out and take pictures of things. Try to develop a good eye for composition. You don't have a professor now giving you assignments; can you "do" your photography without that?

How do you feel about taking photos? Do you need to do it? Do you have to do it? Do you feel uncomfortable when you aren't doing it? That is an artist. Are you a photography artist? Maybe :)

To make $ in the meantime?

If you get your Master's degree you could become a part-time teacher.

You might start a Yahoo website (very inexpensive and easy to do) and offer your services as a photographer that way, and also offer photography tips.

You might journal on your experience trying to become a photographer, and someday make a book of that.

You might offer to do some photography free (a friend's wedding, a new baby, etc.), to get yourself some clients who will recommend you.

You might join Etsy and sell your photos there
http://www.itsybetsy.etsy.com

You might open a Cafe Press shop and sell your photos as cards or t-shirts there.
http://www.cafepress.com/sgc_chadtees

So, there are a few things to get you thinking outside the box a bit.

The main thing is, you have to be a photographer (be taking photos) all the time, for $ or for no $, because, if you don't, your parents will be right!

Good luck, and do it because you want to, and you have to, not because you want to prove your parents wrong.
:)
chaddie-boy

Answer 4

If you have a degree in fine arts then you should work in the fine arts. If there isn't much work where you live chances are photography won't be a big blast either. To make photography work you have to be where there's a large population, at least over 60,000 would help. Your work must become known for you to get popular and you have to please people. The only way to make something work is to work at it.

Answer 5

You worked for it and earned the degree. You further your interests! Go for it!

There may not be many jobs available in that area, You could try some free lancing for a magazine, etc to submit. The worst that could happen is getting a rejection slip. But you just keep on keeping on, until you find the niche where you belong.

Answer 6

get out the phone book and start networking with people in your area. You have a degree- did you take classes in it? That will help. Who cares what your parents say- with a fine art degree you make your own opportunities. Work hard and it will happen.

Painting BFA :)

Answer 7

Parents are Parents and want there children in "Proper Jobs".
Follow your dreams, it will be hard work but then if it was easy everyone would be doing it, Try and get published, nothing will change there minds faster than seeing your work in a nice glossy magazine. Good Luck

Answer 8

First it is your life and your career not theirs. If there are no jobs in photography in your area you have to move where there is the type of job you want. This can be in a bigger city near you or in another state or another country.

So it is your move on what you want to do with your life.

Hope this along with what others have said helps,
Kevin

Answer 9

Prove them? Just tell 'em flat out that you're going into photography no matter what any one says. If that's what you want to do, don't do something that'll make ya miserable.