p.2 #1 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
MSC wrote:
Very true and great suggestions. And the latest trend seems to be having PJs add video to thier skill set.
yeah over the last couple years it does seem that video/audio slideshow/internet page design seems to have become parts of some PJ programs and once again I have heard some somewhat grim stories from local PJ's about the decline of the newspaper business (which is kind of sad, since you surely don't get much news from TV and when it comes to the internet people tend to just go to whatever non-fact checked blabbermouth seems to fit the views they already have).
In that sense maybe getting a regular degree and doing PJ as a second major or something gives more of a fallback?
p.2 #3 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
-Quite frankly: I would tell him to RUN --not walk away--from a journalism/photography degree.
-You're only setting yourself up for failure by getting a degree in such a narrow --and dying--field.
-Get an MBA and work for the school newspaper/yearbook/publications and pick up as much stringer and freelance work and you will have the best of both worlds. 1) A great portfolio from real-world assignments and 2) A degree to fall back on in case the photography thing doesn't work out.
-If nothing else, stress to him that business courses are a necessity and whether you like it or not, you will fail in this industry if you don't know basics about running a business.
-Your son needs to do some serious soul-searching and decide right now if he would be okay if he ends up with a job at Starbucks and freelancing on the side or working at FedEx while freelancing on the side, etc. Those that make it in this industry right now are few and far between and the future doesn't look any better.
-I strongly encourage him to read the SportsShooter message board which consistently hashes up the newspaper staff cuts, closing newspapers, freelance profits/undercutting, etc. etc.
-That's probably good for now. Just type in "Business" or "Business classes" into the sportshooter message board search and you will get PLENTY of results. It is important to understand that these are some of the best photographers out there right now (and NOT just sports) and they are living proof that this photography thing is getting harder and harder to make a living with.
-Also, I have heard very, very mixed results at Brooks. I would be aware of that.
A must read for anyone contemplating going to college for a PJ degree.
Great read...scary too. PDN also has in one issue each year income stats for various kinds of photography. It is important to do what you love, but also one has to be realistic about work and income prospects. Nice to see this guy being honest with his students! It is worth the income trade-off to do what you love...who can say, a personal decision. Regardless, good post.
p.2 #6 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
Couple of comments here.
One, as my kids found out AFTER they graudated (with honors), It's not what you know, but who you know.
Two, many many kids today are finding jobs not directed related to their college major and others are finding out that is not what they really wanted to do. My suggestion is what I ended up doing. I got a full photography scholarship at a small state university. Pick your major/minor and gain a world of OTJ photography experience as well as some sideline pocket money work.
p.2 #7 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
Couple of comments here.
One, as my kids found out AFTER they graudated (with honors), It's not what you know, but who you know.
Two, many many kids today are finding jobs not directed related to their college major and others are finding out that is not what they really wanted to do. My suggestion is what I ended up doing. I got a full photography scholarship at a small state university. Pick your major/minor and gain a world of OTJ photography experience as well as some sideline pocket money work.
p.2 #8 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
As a self-employed commercial photographer for 35 years, here are some of my thoughts (for what it's worth).
I started out at Penn State as an engineering major - after two years, found I didn't like it. Photography was a hobby and when I learned about commercial photography, decided to become that, but didn't want to lose two years of credits to start over. My parents didn't have the money to send me to RIT or something like it. Started self-educating myself reading everything I could get my hands on in photography while I switched over and got my Liberal Arts degree. Took courses in photography (they just had a few), business, art history, psychology and any other course that I felt might help me. I still read everything that I can get my hands on that I think might help.
In my whole career, I've NEVER been asked if I had a college education, let alone a degree in photography. At this point I have several multi-national clients. Yesterday I shot for a French chemical company, tomorrow for a Dutch company that makes baby strollers, etc. What counts in this business is your portfolio and your track record.
I believe that RIT, Pratt, Rhode Island School of Design and others would probably give a very good photography education, but it's equally important to realize that you need to know how to network, sell yourself, get along with people and run a business. I really think that my college degree helped, maybe a degree from a top school would have helped more, but I'm not sure.
Photography is a tough career to make it in. It was several years before I could fully support myself with it, and I think it has got to be even harder starting out now.
p.2 #9 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
Most of the relevant skills you need to succeed as a photographer (aside from business acumen) can be self-taught, so if you're going to spend money on a college education, I don't think it's wise to spend it on a photo/journalism degree. I know one very entrepreneurial kid who pursued such a program at a decent school, and is now applying to law school. My wife also got a BFA from the University of California, with a photography focus. It did very little for her job prospects or her career, and she claims that she would definitely have majored in something else if she could do it over again.
Best to go to an amazing school, and major in something practical, with an art-photo emphasis on the side (maybe as a minor?) Alternatively, if your son is contemplating graduate professional school (MBA, JD, MD), he should major in something that fascinates him, and inspires him to get really good grades so he can get into the best professional school possible.
If he's are going to be a successful photographer, I imagine very few programs will take him there in a structured or directed way. Some of the most talented people I've seen went to RISD, Pratt, UCLA, NYU, RIT, or Columbia, and they found their clients and mentors on their own. I am pretty sure most of them developed skills through their own passionate pursuit, and owe little to their classes. Great work, and a great rolodex are surefire ways to flourishing career, and it seems that the best schools help more with the latter. Indeed, some amazing photographers and videographers I know majored in some non-photography related focus, and developed their eye and abilities during their relatively abundant undergraduate free time.
p.2 #10 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
I've found that photography school isn't nearly as important as business school if you're self-starting with a studio or similar field. If you're doing PJ work, internships (GOOD ones) are what you're going to want. Often times the degree won't help you get work. The quality of your networking and your work will push you forward 10 times more.
p.2 #11 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
lordarka wrote:
Alternatively, if your son is contemplating graduate professional school (MBA, JD, MD), he should major in something that fascinates him, and inspires him to get really good grades so he can get into the best professional school possible.
Arka C.
Who knows whether or not the OP's son wants to pursue a graduate professional degree, but at the very least, it would appear that the OP's son is trying to major in something that fascinates and inspires him. That said, since newspapers are folding left and right, I can't imagine pigeon-holing myself into a career as a photojournalist by majoring in same.
p.2 #12 · Four year colleges with good Photography programs
MSC wrote:
Great read...scary too.
I don't think it's scary at all, just realistic. Next week I will be doing everything from a corporate video shoot, to running the AV for a 3 day national conference, to a live event photography assignment, to designing and running stage lights for an international gospel singer. I play in 3 different bands, sell some fine art and Xtreme sport prints, and have a 16 track recording studio that does pretty well. I have my business out of my home, have cut my overhead to the bone, and generally enjoy my life.
While it is entirely possible that I could make a living doing just one of the many things that encompass my business, I know it is much easier, more lucrative, and a heck of a lot more fun doing something different every day. My goal is not to be THE GREAT ONE at anything, but to offer my clients "professional grade creativity", and have an abundant life in ALL areas. Unfortunately they don't teach you this in school, but for a moderate fee I'll.............
