Understand the all businesses, including those offering courses and training in the like of photography are there to make money. What you need to establish from the start is what do you get from your money that you have invested in when you enroll for one of the courses offered. Being in this industry for many years, I have worked with photographers and assistants from all cultures and walks of life, understanding their interpretation of what being a professional photographer is all about. Very interesting, being professional, or having photography as a hobby, is very similar, so long as one understands all the principles and techniques around this topic and able to be practically comfortable and confident in the field.
Attend a Short Practical Photography Course
I don’t believe that one needs to attend a long course or training program at some fancy photography school just to say “I learned photography at ….”. Photography is a kind of art, something that you either have inside and wish to explore, or something you wish to discover if it is all cut out as to what you imagine. It is about passion, and passion means dedication and the will the learn and continue learning.
Being a practical application, with so many different genres, the best education is practice and watch and practice again. There is always a better and new way to discover taking that shot. Sitting in a class learning theory is not how you are going to learn to be a photographer, theory is a guide to follow and that it. Theory does not answer your question when you hit a blank or its not in your notes.
Choose a Photography School that offers Individual or Small Classes
Individual photography classes, or gain those with a small class compliment are normally designed to focus on each student with great attention to hands on training and personal understanding as to what each student intends to accomplish from the workshop or course. Many of the larger schools or colleges do not offer this. Don’t be fooled by the number of course that are on offer or the misleading advertising as to what is offered. My suggestion when doing your research is try find photography courses or training dedicated and more boutique style schools or colleges, where you are not just a number.
These small type institutions are normally there for the love of photography with the intention to see you succeed. They are also more hands on and personal, dedicated to customized sessions, where you will learn quicker and according to your requirements. Some even offer cameras and all gear during the sessions, while advising you on what you need to buy, saving you all the frustration and perhaps the misfortune of making a choice the wrong buying choice.
Look for a photography school which provides short courses or sessions to meet your needs, as it is never about the piece of paper or degree at the end when wanting to become a photographer as a career. The sooner you understand this the better, what is most important is your portfolio, it is all visual. Nobody cares about how you took the photograph when they look at your work, they are interested more in your ability to follow through and deliver on a brief. The same applies for the hobbyist, it is about taking great photographs and being confident with the understanding and the know how to do this. So, don’t be in a position where you are yawning and getting bored when the lessons are all theory and too technical. As mentioned earlier, photography is creative, if you wish to be an historian in the art of photography, that is completely different, but this article is not about that.
I am hoping that this will assist you all when making this decision, you are already halfway there and in the door, so be wise and ask questions. Making this decision is the most important start to your future as a photographer, I trust this short guide has been useful and I wish you all the very best.