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Question: Making photography my profession means proper education!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.where do I go!?!?!?
Hi all!
I've been looking into photography schools in my area (Cleveland, Ohio) and all I can find are 2 options:
a) INSANELY expensive and time-consuming colleges (i!.e!. The Cleveland Institute of Art) that offer 4-year programs!. That would be great if I was 10 years younger and didn't have 3 children!. So that's not an option!.
or b) technical schools that offer one day per week/4-week amateur courses for $99 that are taught by some yahoo off the street who has no idea what he's talking about!.
There's got to be something in the middle that can help me turn my hobby into a career!. I was looking into my local community college but I'm afraid I won't be able to afford that either!. And even that is a 2-year course with prerequisites and all of that!. I'm so confused!!
What should I do!? I need some advice from people who have been there!. Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The classes at community colleges are not all that expensive!. Just start out with your first class in photography and go from there!.
The community college near me charges about $280 for a 3 unit class and a $10 lab fee!. You pay as you go with film and paper!. If you already have a 35 mm SLR with a standard lens, you will be fine!. !.!.!. if not, then you can find one for under $100 on craigslist!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Don't go to school!. It's a waste of money!. You need to get out there and start doing work for people!. Let 'em know you're out there!.
Build a portfolio and let your talent and artfulness do the talking!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Apply for some financial aid to afford a school that you want to go to!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I too went back to school via community college to develop a photography career!. I didn't have the luxury of time or money to go to another 4-year university (I feel you on option a!.), but I did gain a lot of valuable education, experience, and mentor ship at my local community college!. It's not that expensive, the schedule is flexible (and several of my teachers allowed me to bring my daughter to class with me!!!), and I was able to explore different career options to decide which was best for me!. For example, I discovered that opening up a portrait studio was probably not for me, rather I'm now working on a journalism career!. It does require a time commitment, however as I've invested a few years into my career redirection!. But I feel that it was a worthwhile investment into eventually doing something that I love for a living!.
Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com