What major in College for a Photograbpy business?

[todd_a]

I was asked my opinion about what someone should major in college for looking at having their own photography business later. I suggested a major in business and maybe even a minor in marketing, then just take a few photography courses as elevtives or on the side or what ever, but that it is a business just like any other business, you just get to do photography for the "work" part.

So I thought I would ask for some more opinions from people in the photography busienss. What are your thoughts on this?

Oh yeah, she has an Associates in General studies, but was going for Art as a major before (changed to get the degree out of the way faster) so she has had several art classes previously and she is very talented and has been commissioned to do several pencil drawing portraits in the past.

Thanks,
Todd

[Tom]

Without a doubt get a degree in business or marketing. Anyone can learn to take pictures on their own. Business is what makes and breaks your photography and there is a lot more to learn than there is in photography. Plus it can stand as a fall back if photography doesn't work out. If you get a photography or art degree and photography or art doesn't work out, you are SOL. And with jobs in the arts, people care about what you can do, not what your degree is.

[shaggyrockmer]

I'm biased when it comes to majoring in business. The goal is make money what else is there really to learn? But thats a whole nother debate. Because most people will say you lose the marketing aspect....However most marketing comes from a stroke of luck or deep within passion not something learned in a book. But thats another debate. major in a career and then just pick up photography as a hobby by going to some of those workshops and then when the time is right to jump off the boat at least you have some $ to work with.

[texkam]

Yes, business.

Anyone can learn to take pictures on their own

Yes, but only a few are blessed with the talent to see and capture amazing images.

[utdbear]

Business - with either a Marketing or Finance focus.

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by texkam

Yes, business.Yes, but only a few are blessed with the talent to see and capture amazing images.

I would agree, but what I understood was that the question was about being in the business of photography. I do understand that many people take amazing images, but the sad truth is having the talent to see and capture amazing images will not keep a family feed, but having the knowledge of business will help.

The most financially sound photography business’s normally have images that would not impress most of the members of this forum. You can send me an email and I will gladly give you a list of the business photographers in the Houston area that are money making businesses and most of you would say the work from these studios look plain and boring.

To stay in the photography business and support a household you must do what the client wants and this normally does not impress photographers. I tell people that want to be in business the following “If photographers like your work, you are probley not going to make it in the business of photography, because photographers are not your clients.”

In over 40 years in the photography business, I have found that 80% of my time is spent in the business of photography 10% is spent on Misc. and if I am lucky and really busy I get to spend approx. 10% of my time capturing images. I am not complaining, just letting you know what I have learned over many years.

Do learn all you can about the business world and marketing and you will have a chance of telling someone 20 to 40 years from now, just how to make it in the photography business.

Just an Opinion,
Wayne
Photography by Design

[todd_a]

All this seems to go along with what I was gathering from reading other places about this. It is good to get this much reassurance and from people in the field she is interested in. Thanks for the replies.

Her own opinion was that she can learn more about photography on her own, but the ins and outs of running a business will probably be the more difficult and probably more important tasks which would land you in trouble if attempting to bgo into business yourself without this knowledge.

Some people seem to be able to wing it and figure it out on their own (the business part), and I personally would like to start my own also, but I am not ina position to go back and do College at this point, so I will have to take thigns slow and probably pay some professionals to get things sorted out, but she is college age and has an associates degree already and is heading back to school in the spring semester and is doing the responsible thing in my opinion, which is asking for advice from people other than the college employees who most likely do not own businesses themselves.

Thanks again for the replies!!! :)

[bryanlindsey]

On the right track. I have a BBA, Management (from.....whose house???). Should have majored in Marketing.

[HotHolly]

Are marketing classes not part of a business major? Cant you combine the two with electives or something?

I would have said Biz/Marketing AND Art - figuring out how a camera works is one thing - making it look like a piece of art is learned. All those art history classes were worth the dull lectures.

I started as an art major. I was commissioned and had clients. My parents thought I would starve to death and pushed me to do something else, b/c the "starving artist" phrase came from somewhere.

An insane amount of schooling later - and tah dah! Back were I started. Bitter irony...Thats why I eat Coca Krispies every day. Chocolate for breakfast is the happifier. :D

[bondarnes]

My mentors told me that if I could keep a consistent stream of subjects in front of my camera (MARKETING) and I charged a reasonable price for my work (BUSINESS ACCOUNTING) that I would have a successful business. It has worked so far. I opened a studio without the proper business training and almost starved. I was lucky enough to find help with the marketing area and at one time had two financially successful studios.

I have taught interns all the photography they needed to know in one summer. I then pointed out that a business degree with extra marketing classes would put them miles down the road ahead of their competition. Those that listened are doing quite well.

[toverman]

I wouldn't recommend this for someone else, necessarily, but I earned a journalism degree with a minor in political science. My j degree has provided a solid foundation for every job I've had in the past 15 years. The caveat is that it's been primarily working for someone else.

My point is to get a more general degree that would serve many changes in careers. In today's market, it pays to be flexible. Few college students today will find a career path in a straight line. If they have credentials that help prove their skillset is flexible and valuable, they'll be better off.

Continuing education is the key for nearly any business venture or career, in whatever form it comes.

[HotHolly]

I've read a few articles recently that suggested that college does not properly equip students to be entrepreneurs. Degrees are geared at being an employee, which is way different. Just something else to consider. Working for yourself is way different than working for someone else.

Read E-Myth if you have a chance. (It about the entrepreneurial myth that we all only work 10 hours a week and life is easier when you work for yourself). It also has a ton of info that would have been helpful to know several years ago. Wish someone handed me that book in college.

[Crashoran]

I would have to disagree on a solo business degree only, from an advertising and fashion perspective. There are things you will learn at a good school that stay with you the rest of your life.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I've read a few articles recently that suggested that college does not properly equip students to be entrepreneurs. Degrees are geared at being an employee, which is way different. Just something else to consider. Working for yourself is way different than working for someone else.

Read E-Myth if you have a chance. (It about the entrepreneurial myth that we all only work 10 hours a week and life is easier when you work for yourself). It also has a ton of info that would have been helpful to know several years ago. Wish someone handed me that book in college.

University of Houston has an entrepreneurship degree that was rated #1 in the nation last year. It is geared towards running your own business.

[Mask]

"What major in College for a Photograbpy business? - 08-16-2010, 05:35 PM"

Spelling might be advised.
Simple economics state with so many photographers in the world ...
you would be well to conduct a 20 - 40 year market study before such assuming.
FYI - the increase in Pro to Semi Pro photographers has increased
well over a hundred fold since the saturated 70's.
Recent US Small Business Admin puts creative photographers failure rate at over 90%
over the first 5 years and is now the leading rate of small business failures.
Modeling might be at the same level - LOL.
It used to be resturants with 60% over first 5 years.
Be advised most photographers of the 20th century had another source of main income.
This includes names like Adams, Leibovitz, and many others.
Any business degree will not help the over supply and under demand of this economy.
But a sound education will allow you to consider the current and future market better.

You need to consider the current and future economy before you pick a field.
There is still demand in technical and engineering photography.
It pays 6 figures plus.
But the biggest things these days are nursing, medical, info technology, engineering.

PM me if you want a paper I give to photo students on career advice.