How to Choose a Photography School
There are literally hundreds of institutions to choose from to study photography. Choosing the right school and program is one of the most important decisions a student can make and requires research, fact finding, and evaluation. The best method of choosing a photography school is for the student to figure out what their personal goals are and match them up with the photography school that best meets their criteria.
The first step in choosing a photography school requires the student to consider how much time they are willing to put into their education. Photography training programs vary greatly in length and can be completed in well under a year or as long as six years. By determining the timeframe to completion, students can reduce the number of programs they have to choose from and narrow their search. The next step is for the student to determine how much money they wish to invest in the photography program and then find sources to pay for their schooling. Programs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Students also need to educate themselves on sources of financial aid such as grants and loans and whether or not the institution they are considering offers such sources.
Students must also consider how much time they have to attend a photography training program. Many of today’s college students have outside responsibilities such as family and work. For some students the option of attending full-time is not the reality it is for others. Some photography schools allow students the flexibility to attend part-time while others require full-time attendance. Students who are aware of what their enrollment level will be can better plan how long the program will take them.
The advent of the Internet has opened up the option for many students to study photography who could previously not because of their location. Several schools offer online programs and degrees that can be completed without having to step foot in a classroom. This is a convenient choice for working parents and professionals to be able to complete their studies while maintaining their current commitments. Studying online is a tempting option for many students, but not always the best choice for everyone. Online studying requires a certain level of self-motivation and discipline that is not found in every student. It also requires access to a computer with Internet capabilities, which may not be available to all students. Students must be familiar with using computers and have the ability to navigate the Internet, send email, and have word processing and typing skills. Some students find that the Internet is not the best learning environment for them, which can lead to difficulty in comprehension and skill mastery.
Having the guidance of photography professionals and college counselors is also an important step in finding the right photography program and school. Photography offers several different career paths and talking to people with experience will provide valuable insight. Talking to a career counselor will help the student to properly evaluate whether they want to pursue photography as a career and what type of learning environment would suit them best. Students can also volunteer at photography studios, set up interviews with photography professionals, and join photo clubs. Another great way to get insight on a particular school and program is to speak with existing students and graduates. Talking to students who currently attend the school gives the potential student firsthand knowledge from a student perspective, which is often different from that of a college employee. Graduates can also provide details on their post-graduation experiences and share advice on how to be successful.
