Bachelor of Arts in Photography : UH or Ai Houston?

[ns134]

I am trying to decide where I want to pursue a degree in Photography.

So here are the pros and cons.

I have spoke with both UH and Ai about their programs. I am really like the program at Ai because they are more up to date with today's demands in the photography field. UH still has a darkroom and require classes in it (Ai doesn't). I have taken darkroom classes before but I am not using any of those skills now.

The cons with Ai is that they require more classes before I can graduate, UH has fewer credit hour requirements for graduation.

I wanted to get your opinion. I thought that if i take photography at UH then I can minor or double major in another field. I don't know if I have that option at Ai.

Any advice?

[toverman]

I can only speak from my own experience in pursuing a degree (journalism major) ... it's actually a benefit to take as many classes as you can. Sure, it costs more, but the right classes can really lay a groundwork. I took as many classes in other things that forced me to write assignments, and it made me better for it.

The thing about photography is that it's a life-long opportunity for learning. Find a program that gives you a good foundation, and prepare to build on it during your career.

[PhotoByLeal]

Ai you have to go nonstop for the length of the degree.....and it cost!!!
UH you can go on an off every semester or when you can afford it!

I started looking at Ai online, you are require to take courses but no test! That's what I was told over the phone by a customer service rep from Ai.....

Good Luck!

[chrismg67]

I just told the rep from AI Online (Pittsburgh) no thanks today. The online part really appealed to me and it sounds like a great program that you could probably learn a lot from but $85,000!!! I've already got enough student loan debt and that would put me over $100,000 in student loans for something I am not even sure I could make enough to repay when I finished.

[dminton]

Here's the thing:

Do you want to get a degree in photography or do you want to go to college and get a degree in photography?

That is the real question you ned to ask yourself.

[Cajungaltx]

Chris -
Probably unpopular opinion here - but I think going to school for photography is a mistake. A big one.

Especially considering you stated that you already have student loans that you owe on.

Go to school for business/marketing/finance - something that will help you MAKE money as a photographer.

Usually with photographers, they are GREAT at taking the images... GREAT at customer service... GREAT at forming relationships...

But they suck at the business side of stuff....the 'selling'.... the 'paperwork'... the 'business'... so they try to go pro... try to make money at it... and they crumble because of the lack of basic business structure/education.

I've heard MANY photogs state that they started off with 80% photography... 20% business (if they were LUCKY...).... but to make money... they have to turn that around. You can't spend 80% of your time shooting/editing... and 20% running the business... and hope to make money at it...

Just my 2 cents... take it for what it's worth. ;)

[bondarnes]

If you plan to make a living at photography, you should get a degree in business and take all the marketing classes you can. If you know the business aspect, I can teach you all the photography you need to know in one summer and for a lot less than $85K. I have a degree in photojournalism, but almost starved for the first couple of years until I found a business mentor. Life is good!!

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

If you plan to make a living at photography, you should get a degree in business and take all the marketing classes you can. If you know the business aspect, I can teach you all the photography you need to know in one summer and for a lot less than $85K. I have a degree in photojournalism, but almost starved for the first couple of years until I found a business mentor. Life is good!!

WOOHOOO!!! I'm smarter than I thought I was.... I gave the same advice Don would give... WOOOOHOOO...

Except for the 'I can teach you everything you need to know in one summer' part...

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Except for the 'I can teach you everything you need to know in one summer' part...

I have had several summer interns that went back to school in the fall and changed their major to business. Most of them did well after graduation.

[Tom]

My biggest regret about college is that I didn't go in with a business major.

The bottom line on photography is that you don't need a degree to be good or to get a job. You need a portfolio to get the job. Classes really don't matter.

I have one of the few, precious salaried photographer jobs in the country. My formal education in photography is limited to an elective in PJ in high school and 3 hours at A&M.

Read books. Study forums. Keep up with photoblogs. Practice. Shoot. Keep a photography journal. Major in business.

[chrismg67]

I didn't mean to hijack the thread that Naheeda started. I've already posted almost the exact same question last week. All the good advise I got was the main reason I told AI no thanks.

[Tom]

And you should seriously check out the accreditation of the Arts Institute. You could drop 80k on a degree there that is worthless, as is with some schools.

Much better to save your money, go to UH for business and use that money you save for photography gear and workshops.


The average annual salary for a newspaper photographer is 27k. The average annual salary for a waitress is 26k. (Numbers from Sportsshooter)

DO NOT get 85k + in debt for a job that pays under 30k.

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/dec...-collegedebt27


http://www.sportsshooter.com/message...html?tid=31739

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message...html?tid=26071

[ns134]

The Ai reps keep calling me too. And I keep stalling them because I hadn't made a decision. But after reading this thread, I will tell them I'm not interested the next time they call.
I have learned so much by lurking on this forum and it was all for free.
I will continue at UH. I am currently a Comm major about to declare a major in journalism (might change that to photography though). My husband and I also have our own business (not photography related) so I plan to double major in management.

I think what Angel said also convinced me. I have been going to UH on and off becuase of cost. I am trying to avoid getting into loans and have been going to school if I have money saved up for that semester. I didn't know you had to go continuously at Ai.

All of yall had really good points!! Thanks so much!!!

[csa]

Not only that but newspapers like DMN are laying off people with years of experience. We just went through this route with my daughter. I majored in English/Journalism a million years ago, have been teaching photography for 20 years, and have a tough time making a living at just shooting. My daughter won every photo award she could win including an internship with DMN (Dallas Morning News for non-Metroplex people) when they told her, sorry kid, we can't afford to hire you, we're laying off 1/3 of our staff. As for programs, A&M Commerce has a great program with a good placement record. They work extensively with Dallas businesses. But Don is right about the business degree part. It should be your minor if nothing else.

[Tom]

Journalism was part of my major, and it was a poor choice.

Stay as a Comm major or switch to marketing/business.

And if you take a class from the department of visual arts, I may be your lecturer.