What about photography school?

[CCericola]

RIT has a wonderful program. In the end. RIT's reputation attracts the right contacts and internships. Design graduates and commercial photography graduates that heavily interned do much better after graduation. Sometimes it is who you know, not what you know. For people who want to tackle retail photography or freelance, their business courses do help.

But like the OP said. A great East coast school is out of the question as moving from Arizona is not a possibility right now.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

Yeah, I know, but there is a world renowned photo school in Cali, (I forget the name) I would highly recommend that if education is the route you want to take that you go to a place that is well known in the photo world rather than a place that may teach you photography but won't even be considered as a plus to your resume when you get out.

 

[chuasam]

The usual path is an apprenticeship with an established pro

 

[W.Y.Photo]

The usual path is an apprenticeship with an established pro

^this is also the most useful path

 

[julianliu]

I recommend watching online classes like kelbytraining and lots of useful YouTube videos such as Phlearn.

 

[badwolf18]

Thank you guys so much for your replies, I definitely got the information I wanted. You guys just saved me around $1500 dollars in wasted money; I plan on checking out my local community college and moving on from there. Thanks again!

 

[Browncoat]

The usual path is an apprenticeship with an established pro

^this is also the most useful path

...if you can find a local pro willing to offer one.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

The usual path is an apprenticeship with an established pro

^this is also the most useful path

...if you can find a local pro willing to offer one.

Yeah, which can be very hard. Esspecially without an already established portfolio.

 

[chuasam]

^this is also the most useful path

...if you can find a local pro willing to offer one.

Yeah, which can be very hard. Esspecially without an already established portfolio.

Then work on your portfolio, work on social media, go to industry events, get to know the pros.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[W.Y.Photo]

Yeah, everyone should constantly be working on their portfolio. I'm just saying you can't get a position as a photographers assistant like any other job. You need proof that you have experience.