How to Break Into Photography

by Ysolt Usigan

Aspiring photographers -- listen up -- it's as easy as attending photography schools. So what are you waiting for? Oh, that's right, you don't even know where to begin. For starters, research photography schools to find out if you want to attend one of many digital photography colleges.

How to Become a Darkroom Diva You can take what you've learned during your high school elective, but keep in mind, it won't get you very far if you want to become a photographer. If you're interested in fashion photography or photojournalism careers, you're going to need more than "I took photography in high school" on your resume to get a good-paying gig. Without a doubt, photography schools are the way to go. Dirk Fletcher, digital photography department chair at the Harrington College of Design, points out: "In order to be a successfu professional photographer, you need to get your hands on the most diverse body of up-to-date professional photo equipment. The wider variety of equipment a student can experience while in school, the better they will be prepared for photojournalism careers and other fields of photography. This will be an asset whether you enter the market as a photographer's assistant or begin shooting right out of school."

When Schooling in Photography As for what else to do when you get to photography schools? "In the past, the photographer would shoot the film and the lab would handle it from there. Now the photographer is responsible for the entire process," Fletcher points out. He advises you take up a science-based program like the associate of applied science degree that Harrington College of Design offers. In 19 months, the technology required to become a photographer is covered -- this is more than what some schools cover in four years.

Life After Photography Schools It's important to have taken business courses in digital photography colleges, as well. "Take as many business classes as your school offers. If the school you are looking at does not offer business classes, keep looking," says Fletcher. "If you look at successful photographers today, you will find the individuals that are active in networking both in and outside of the industry." Don't forget that once you graduate from one of many digital photography colleges, that you are a business person of sorts. "First and foremost, your product is your images," Fletcher asserts. "Many talented photographers struggle with this because they are passionate about the work and that is where they place all their focus." Without a solid marketing plan on how to promote your work in place, nobody will know about you.

So shoot your way to one of many digital photography colleges and exercise what you've learned here thus far. Cultivate a strong education and good contacts.