<p>I'm currently considering the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, NYU, RIT, FIT, or Parsons for a degree in photography, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. I know a lot of it can be self taught, but I'm afraid that if I got a degree in business instead, I wouldn't be able to make as many connections as I would getting a degree in photography.</p>
<p>Have you considered double majoring?</p>
<p>If I went to NYU, I would definitely consider double majoring. However, my #1, if I were to go into Photography, would be SAIC and they don’t have a business program. It’s one of the top art schools though, and that name on a degree would definitely help get me internships and jobs. Starting my own business would be more difficult if I do go to SAIC, so I guess I just need help deciding haha.</p>
<p>Don’t pay $60k a year to learn how to take a picture…</p>
<p>My cousin with that degree has yet to find employment in his field. I’d go for the business degree and find a school with enough photography classes you can take as electives to satisfy you (perhaps minor or double major in photography).</p>
<p>I would suggest you ask some professional photographers whose work you admire what their recommendation is. Or look up their credentials. I know some professional photographers and they make a good living, but I have no idea how they got started or even if they have a degree. </p>
<p>Photography has always struck me as something you learn by doing it, which can mean an apprenticeship if you can find someone to take you on - or even work as a photographer’s assistant and just work your way up. Maybe a degree is the way to go, but I suspect building a portfolio and making client contacts is the real key to succeeding.</p>
<p>The one tip I’ve heard about photography that makes sense from a professional point of view is that you need to be the go to person for a particular look. You need to come up with something that distinguishes you, so that when a client decides they want something that looks like one of your photographs, they come to you for that look. There is supposedly one guy out there who puts a blue cast in all his photos, but it’s done in a particularly artful way that’s not easily duplicated. Not a lot of work calls for that particular technique, but if you want it, he’s your guy. Apparently there’s enough work out there that he makes a living at it, he just has to travel a lot. </p>
<p>Most photographers stick to more conventional themes like animals, food (I’ve heard how difficult that can be, especially things that melt), corporate portraits, landscapes, etc., but the idea behind a specialty and a look is a sound one.</p>
<p>My former brother in-law with a degree in photography now installs office furniture. It’s a brutal field, particularly now that everyone carries a camera in their pocket. I agree with majoring in something else and taking classes for your art as electives.</p>
<p>I’m all for studying whatever your passion is, but none of the professional photographers I know actually studied photography in college. One was previously a school teacher. Another was in graphic design for an advertising company. Yet another started out as an attorney. All started their photography business on the side, then quit their other job as the business grew. All are making money, although each also has a husband or wife who makes a good income.</p>