One of the advice many beginners receive when they pursue photography is to enroll in a school. Institutions such as The International Center of Photography, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Yale University are some spaces that offer a variety of courses. From Bachelor’s to Master’s degrees, as well as summer programs, there is something for everyone. However, with a medium like photography, there is also a plethora of reading material and tutorials available online. Thus, it begs the question, does the younger generation still need to register in formal photography schools, which would cost them a considerable sum of fees? To break down this question and provide you with the best response, we reached out to a few photographers who had taken a similar path. Their insight and experiences will be able to help you navigate the troubled waters of a career in photography.
Kannetha Brown On Importance of Resources
The foremost person on our list is Kannetha Brown, a first-generation descendant of survivors of the Khmer Rouge Regime, who resides in the United States. An alumni of Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, Brown recently graduated with a BFA in photography. Today, her work has been published on international platforms such as The Phoblographer, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Elle USA, and The Boston Globe.
“Every person has individual stories and goals, so it is impossible to determine if photography school is a right or wrong choice for someone that I don’t even know,” she told us in an interview. “The most important part of deciding whether photo school is a right fit for you is to determine the fields you want to work in before you commit to anything at all.” To explain her point, Brown draws on her experiences. After high school, Brown took a gap year to determine whether college was her calling. Gradually, seeking direction, she enlisted in a photography course, which was her passion. “Though I am still navigating the exact field I want to work in, my photography itself has improved drastically since enrolling in photography school,” Brown tells us.
The weekly critiquing sessions and classes, for instance, shaped her as a photographer. However, she soon realized she had surpassed the curriculum due to the work she pursued out of the school. “I was still running my freelance business, getting real-world experience shooting for magazines and clients, and working hard to build my CV and portfolio outside of the classroom,” Brown explains. “I viewed school as a part of my life at the time, not the main part, which allowed me to become very independent, driven, and career-focused.” This is quite important to note, as additional work, while cumbersome and daunting, can actually help you get a better understanding of the real-world scenarios in the business.
One of the most prominent pieces of advice she gives to our readers is the ability to become selfish. “Utilize as many resources as you can while also making friends and connections. The ability to have a group of peers look at your work— whether you take their critique or not—is very important and teaches you how to become an artist,” she adds. Another important recommendation is to become “well-rounded.” By that, she means learning techniques and having a firm background in history, culture, and art. Similarly, she speaks about the importance of forging connections with people in the industry while attending photography schools. “When it comes to the arts, it doesn’t really matter how good you are; it matters who you know. For example, shadowing people in positions you are interested in, interning, etc., is extremely important,” Brown highlights. The latter, she believes, is critical to establish yourself in the business.
Last but not least, it is also vital to learn video. “Take video classes in addition to your photo practice. That is integral to getting jobs right now as a photographer, and something I wish I did more while I was at school.”
Visit her website and her Instagram @kannetha.brown to see more of her work.
Jamie Schofield Riva On Being With Like-Minded People
Jamie Schofield Riva is another artist who returned to her love for the medium after working as a model and actress for several decades. During her initial years, she graduated in photography from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU before taking a break from the art form. Years later, she reignited her passion, taking classes at The International Center of Photography. Today, her pictures have been exhibited at Photoville and ICP, and she has been gracing publications like The Phoblographer, Click and Shots Magazines, and Pearl Press.
In our conversation with Riva, she emphasizes the significance of having a degree in photography or taking part-time courses for those starting a career. In her circumstance, she attended two photography schools, which bore her a beneficial response. However, she explains, it all comes down to one’s goal and what one seeks to accomplish with such education. “Some people need help learning the technological side, some with the creative, others want to understand the business aspects,” she tells us. “Getting to pick and choose your own curriculum can be helpful depending on what phase of life and picture-making you are in.” If you know that a degree would be too expensive, then a smaller course can nudge you in the right direction. According to Riva, one of the reasons for this is “the support you receive outside of and even long after you finish a class.” For instance, having people who value your photographs as art can help you go a long way. “As an artist, it is so important to surround yourself with like-minded people who can guide you from experience, share in your struggles, and offer advice and solutions to so many questions you will inevitably have,” she elaborates.
In addition to ICP photography school, Riva is also a part of The Luupe and Click Pro, a communal space that offers classes, webinars, and portfolio reviews. “You can ask questions of all kinds and be given a wealth of knowledge from other professionals who are happy to connect and share,” she states. Riva also found that her education “provided so many opportunities for professional growth,” which included exhibitions, online collections, and job opportunities. “In a competitive industry such as ours, these types of connections are priceless,” she adds. Ultimately, Riva expresses that “finding the right flow in your creative process and making that work for you” can “get you farther than anything.”
Visit her website and Instagram @j.s.riva to see more of her work.
Larissa Honsek On The Necessity of Group Interactions
Our list concludes with a talented multidisciplinary artist, Larissa Honsek. An illustrator and art director, Honsek found herself gravitating to image-making, especially pinhole photography. “After years of working as a graphic designer, I had the impulse to develop myself further and to take a closer look at another discipline, so I started [studying] part-time,” Honsek told us in a previous interview. “I spent one year learning the theory and practice of photography and also [discovered] the pinhole camera.”
Today, as she reflects on her time at photography school, Honsek says she had an incredible experience. “I think there are varied significant factors in photography that continue to remain highly relevant even today,” she tells us. “One of the critical aspects of your learning curve is your ability to experiment with new things,” she adds. In Honsek’s opinion, having a tutor makes a significant difference to your skills as an artist. “If your teacher is good, they can shape your style and ways of seeing,” she states.
However, finding a group with whom you can travel and learn is even more vital. “Constant group interactions, such as attending photo walks, peer review, or brainstorming ideas during portrait sessions, is immensely beneficial for your growth and development,” explains Honsek. As she reveals, the friends you make are one of the few people who will fuel your creativity. Another significant contribution is the frequency of these meetings. “Regular interactions, for instance, foster a supportive learning environment for your goals and projects,” Honsek states. “And when you harness your peer’s motivations and your teacher’s guidance, you will invariably produce high-quality results,” she adds.
However, one of the major driving forces for Honsek has been the group exhibits.”With a group exhibition, there’s no turning back. One has to work through the deadline and present the world with varied bodies of work in a manner that does justice to the photographer,” Honsek elaborates. Lastly, in her opinion, photography schools are also about “going out, coaching each other, and presenting your work with the guidance of a teacher,” which is what makes them so valuable. Honsek will advise you to join a school to be physically present and learn with other students. “The internet has its limitations in creating such dynamic energy.”
Visit her website and Instagram @larissahonsek and @larissa_honsek to see more of her work.
We hope that these diverse insights have helped you understand the significance of photography schools. There is a lot to learn in this world, and for much of it, you need assistance that comes from a place of understanding and appreciation.
