p.1 #1 · HELP PLEASE! is an expensive photography degree worth it?
Help! Ok so I am a bit confused on what to do and I hope maybe I could get some advice from some more experienced photographers in the field.
My main question is should I go to school and spend a considerable amount on a photography degree from Savannah College of Art and Design (40,000) or go to a local university which is considered easy but would be free.
I just received my associates degree in photography from a local college and also received best photography portfolio out of my graduating class. I also Have a fairly successful photo business shooting weddings and portraits, but I would like to get out of shooting weddings and portraits to get into commercial work, basically anything that involves time to mess around with lighting(lighting is my passion). I want to continue my education but don't know if having a degree from scad is worth 40,000 more than a local college or much at all unless I decide to teach (which I also thought about just not sure of the job market).
I feel that I have learned most of my knowledge from interning and working for other photographers along with pushing myself.
I received a total of 33 grand in scholarships to go to scad based on my portfolio and grades so I only have to pay roughly 15 grand for dorms each year for 2.5 years to get my BA in photo
or
I could go to a local college live at home and literally get paid to go
tuition is 10,000 for in state and I will receive 14,000 scholarship deposited into my bank account for 2 years.
I also DO NOT want to work for myself I enjoy shooting way more then all the other logistics.
So what decision would you make?
How important was a degree at all to receive your job?(I've been told its all about the portfolio)
How do I break into the commercial market? (haven't made enough connections in commercial)
p.1 #3 · HELP PLEASE! is an expensive photography degree worth it?
If I were in your shoe, I would go to the university and take that free education. Choose a field / major that you like and take a minor that will help you with your photography...
p.1 #5 · HELP PLEASE! is an expensive photography degree worth it?
I advised my son to take the business/marketing route (exclusively) and practice photography as a hobby. He recently thanked me for steering him in the right direction. He is now married and has a nice house. Commerical photography is a feast or famine business. If you don't have a studio, and/or are not located in or near a major city you will struggle. Two years of photography school is all you need.... that's all I had. A degree in business will be of more benefit to you even if you decide you want to pursue photography. A BA in photography is almost worthless in the business world. BTW: Nobody is hiring photographers.
p.1 #7 · HELP PLEASE! is an expensive photography degree worth it?
Your ROI in going to SCAD will probably be very small, perhaps a negative. If you need to take a loan for your $37.5 out of pocket costs, almost definitely a negative. The local option may pay dividends if you major in photography but the better option is, as others have said, a business major and photography minor.
That said, a future in commercial photography is likely to be financially disappointing in the long term unless you are naturally particularly business-savvy.
But if you can get free education, regardless of your major, go for it. Expand your horizons. Good luck.
