Shoot for Loot with a Career in Photography
By Brandi Schlossberg
brandi.schlossberg@careerschooldirectory.com
Career School Directory Columnist
If you love to "point and shoot," it could be time to focus on photography as a career, not just a hobby. Career training in photography can give you the professional skills to open the door to this fast-paced, creative, competitive field.
Although a "good eye" is still at the heart of a successful career in photography, the knowledge you gain from your career education is key to succeeding as a full-time photographer.
Career Training in Photography
The fun, spontaneity, and creativity involved in photography makes this field appealing to a wide range of individuals--which means that competition is fierce. The proper career training can ensure that you have the foundational knowledge to get your foot in the door and begin networking as a photographer.
Jobs in the field of photography often require a bachelor's degree, although career training in photography is also offered by vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges and technical schools. A
three- or four-year career education is often the best choice for training that focuses on not only the artistic aspects of photography, but also the technical and business sides of the trade.
Your career training should include courses on the use of equipment and technical software, processing, design and composition, business principles, and more.
Your Photography Career
Once you complete your career education, it's time to hit the ground running and network, network, network. Join photography clubs, contact local newspapers and magazines, subscribe to photography trade journals and talk to local public-relations firms. The more people who know you're a professional photographer, the more likely you are to get an assignment.
Of course, there are staff positions for photographers available at newspapers, publishing houses, and a few other media organizations, but many photographers are self-employed and make most of their income via freelance work. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of all photographers are self-employed.
The BLS reports that there were about 129,000 photographers in 2004, and their median annual earnings were around $26,000. The highest 10 percent, however, earned more than $54,000 in 2004.
Get to work gaining skills in photography classes today, and you could be part of that top 10 percent, making a living doing what you love.
Source
About the Author
Brandi Schlossberg holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She writes for a variety of print and online publications.
Posted on February 9, 2007 at 10:25 AM
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