Photography School: Why School Benefits Your Career
Learn how photography school can help you start your career off right.
Expand Your Focus in Photography School
Enjoy capturing candid moments on film? Prefer observing life through a lens? A career in photography can be both rewarding and lucrative.
If you are thinking of becoming a professional photographer, you may be wondering if photography school is a good investment. While it seems easy to just play around with a camera and build up a portfolio of work on your own, photography school can open a world of possibilities for you both creatively and professionally. Here are just some of the benefits of attending a photography school:
1. Access to the Latest Technology and Equipment
Most photography schools have state-of-the art facilities filled with computers and modern studio equipment. For instance, Harrington College of Design in Chicago boasts "a lab filled with high-speed dual processor Mac G5s and imaging software, 6,200 square feet of studio space, and a comprehensive suite of equipment, from lenses to strobes, workbooks and videos." This is a far cry from developing black and whites from your 35mm in your basement darkroom.
At photography school, you will be working with the latest in high-tech photography equipment and will be on the cutting-edge of the industry at graduation.
2. Job Placement and Counseling
If you are looking to launch a career, then college campuses are often a great place to start. Many photography schools have career services departments dedicated solely to helping you land a job after graduation. Career counselors can be valuable resources for helping you write your résumé, assemble a portfolio, prepare for job interviews and locate employment opportunities and internships.
At the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, 80% of graduates are placed in jobs at graduation. Many alumni have launched successful careers with companies such as Disney, Donna Karan, Pixar and Industrial Light + Magic, according to the career services department. By attending photography school, you tap in to an existing network of career contacts.
3. Professional Feedback on Your Work
Photography school faculty, like those at the Brooks Institute of Photography , are typically knowledgeable, successful professionals with years of experience in the field of photography. They won't be afraid to give you an honest critique of your work and offer suggestions on how to improve. They can also give you insight on what it's really like to be a professional photographer and teach you what you need to get there.
While photography can seem like a solitary pursuit, getting help and feedback from both instructors and other students is an important aspect of the development process.
4. Exposure to Different Types of Photography
School Spotlight
In The Art Institutes' photography programs, technology and creativity rule. Prepare for an exciting career in the film industry. Find a campus near you.
Getting into the field of photography is a lot more than just taking pretty pictures. There are many different types of photography (architectural, landscape, editorial, photojournalism, portrait, product), technical skills (outdoor lighting, studio lighting), different methods (film, digital), different formats (35mm, medium format large format, black and white, color) and end uses (multimedia/web, print) to learn, as well as the business of marketing and selling your work. And the field is constantly changing.
Even if you think you already know which area of photography you’d like to pursue, being exposed to different types of photography is essential for becoming a well-rounded and marketable professional. Photography schools such as the Nossi College of Art in Goodlettsville, TN require students to experiment with several different types of photography such as sports, advertising, fashion and nature in order to give students the "experience and knowledge of what it takes to be professional image creators."
5. A Professional Portfolio
While having a degree in photography is not always a requirement to land a job as a professional photographer, having an outstanding portfolio is. Being able to showcase quality photos that bridge many different styles will prove to potential employers and clients that you can do the job. Photography school will give you access to the equipment and resources that can help to take your portfolio, and your career, from average to extraordinary.