Do you really need to go to university to become a photographer?

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

I'm just exploring my interests/options. Any advice would be much appreciated.

TIA.

[thumbwitch]

shurely not?

[MoominMymbleandMy]

None of the ones I've known (a fair number) have.

[mrsalexanderarmstrong]

I did a photography degree, the good/useful things were . . .

Lots of time to experiment
Learn technique
Get useful criticism
Meet professional photographers
Look and look and look at pictures - become visually literate
Have lots of mates doing the same thing

Bad things . . .

3 years is a LONG time to study something that imho can be learnt in max 2 yrs.
University is VERY expensive
You come out with a degree and then have to be an assistant anyway.

Like anything creative, photography is a tough gig and to be successful ie earn actually money takes a lot of graft.

What kind of photographs do you want to take?

If studio portraits then I would try to get a job at your local studio - making tea - anything in order to learn the processes. If fashion/food/editorial etc then be prepared for a LOT of knock backs. Get in touch with photographers working in the area that you are interested in try to hang out with them for a few days - see what it involves.

Good luck.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Hi Thumb. I'm just exploring my options at the moment, I'm looking for a stressless life.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Thanks all. Maybe some ones that picture real life rather then studio/weddings/staged ones IYSWIM. Ones that have messages in them and make people stop and think. I'd like to try anyway.
I know someone who owns a gallery so I can beg!

[ptizamis]

I have started my own photography business and I would really recommend it. I photograph pregnant women, babies and children. I love the fact that I can manage my own time and fit it around family life.
No client has ever asked me if I studied it at uni, as long as the photos are good that is all that matters!

Please get in touch if you have any questions!

Steph x
www.stephaniebelton.com

[Aeschylus]

you have chosen a tough choice if you want a job from it, one of my friends DW got a first...

she is now working in tesco's

[UnquietDad]

One of those stats often churned out is that there are more photography graduates in the UK than there are photography jobs in the entire EU.

I'm a bit about this as how do you measure it? Lots could become freelance, after all...