How to be an Art Photography Major

Selecting the right art major with an emphasis in photography will depend upon your specific focus and the reasons why you want to pursue a career in photography in the first place. Whether you want to pay more attention to the technical aspects of photography, such as composition, or a broader appreciation of the work of other artists, finding the right academic program to help you succeed is your first priority.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tuition fees
• Class materials
• Enrollment to a college with an art photography program

1. Decide which area of photography you want to study. Most art degrees in photography have many specific areas of interest for its students, such as commercial or industrial photography, photojournalism, portrait photography or even art history with an emphasis in photography. Your choice should reflect the career path you wish to take upon completion of your degree.
2. Find an art school or university with a photography program that you find interesting and apply for enrollment. Websites such as Education-Portal.com and CollegeSurfing.com are good resources for educational programs across the country that meet your interests (see Resources below).
3. Select the level of degree you want to attain in the field of photography based upon your career goals. Some people will select an Associate of Arts degree from a community college in order to get an entry-level position as a photographer for a newspaper, magazine or portrait studio. Others will want a Bachelor of Arts or even a Master of Fine Arts, especially if they want to eventually teach others about photography.
4. Visit a counselor on campus in order to define what you want to study, which are the best courses to take to support your interests and what requirements you will need to meet in order to earn your degree. Take the time to discuss your specific goals and interests and what you hope to achieve when you select a photography major.
5. Investigate resources within the college system that will help you to find employment in your selected field of study after graduation. Many of the more specialized art schools actively develop relationships with companies that provide careers for their graduates.

Tips & Warnings

• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, photography is an excellent occupational field to enter, due to the increased demand for photographers for Internet websites.

Who Can Help:

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