Photography Colleges & Universities


Professional Photographers: Banishing the "Starving Artist" Myth One Frame at a Time
There comes a point in the educational development of any artistically-inclined person--usually in high school, when thoughts turn to college majors and future career plans--when he or she feels at least a slight twinge of panic at the idea of possessing no money-making skills. Fortunately, and contrary to widespread belief, people do indeed need the arts: for entertainment and information, to help give their lives meaning, to better understand all cultures. So, talented photographers, take heart and keep your cameras at the ready.

Photography Jobs and Degrees
Professional photographers produce images that record an event, help sell a product, or become fine art. Most modern photographers employ a combination of digital cameras and computer editing software to create their work. Their employers range from newspapers to forensic scientists to individual clients. Some examples of careers for photographers include:
  • Fine arts photographers: These artists often establish websites with online portfolios to reach customers directly.
  • Photojournalists: They bring an indispensable visual element to the news.
  • Scientific photographers: Using ancillary knowledge of engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry, they record scientific data and phenomena.
  • Commercial and industrial photographers: These photographers shoot a wide variety of subjects to be published in media such as books, reports, advertisements, and catalogs.
While some photographers (such as photojournalists or industrial/scientific photographers) need photography degrees in order to qualify for employment, the majority are self-employed and pursue education in order to gain invaluable expertise and guided experience. A typical photography curriculum provides instruction on equipment, various processes and techniques, business and marketing skills, and software proficiency. Experience remains at the core of the educational process, as photographers seek to develop their unique creativity and stand apart in this competitive field.
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