STG Studios

Is this the only choice for me?

I'm a 20 y.o. female. This year I was supposed to attend college for Social Work, but decided that it was not what I wanted. Everyone was upset with me like my family & gf. My gf and I almost broke up because of it. Everyone knows that my passion is photography. I love it. It makes me happy. If I could do it for a career I would jump at it. My gf "encouraged" me to apply for FIT, a well known college in nyc that has a BFA in Photography. I am applying there. I love photography, but I worry about the end. Four years and I might not end up even finding realistic work in that field. I have no idea what kind of career I would do that has a steady level & benefits. I might go to school & come out broke with no job in a bad economy. What should I do? If I dont go to college, people will be really upset w/ me. I'm 20 and I'm getting old. I just want to be able to do something I at least enjoy and not be a broke college grad w/ a useless degree.

The art of photography can not be taught. That being said, there ARE things you need to learn - how to achieve correct exposure, what aperture and shutter speed are, what white balance means, etc. etc. etc. - but you CAN learn all that without a photography degree. I know many professional photographers that have BA's in photography and, when asked how important that particular degree is, many of them will tell you it's not worth a damn. I'd suggest getting a business degree. You can use the skills you learn to build your photography business and while you're in school you can spend your free time (ALL of it, if you want to get good) learning photography and shooting your fool head off.

Maria DiElsi introduces The Artway Project

Tags:   art · design · education · nyc · photography degree nyc · schoolNo Comments