Suggestions for sister's photography degree

[HorseManiac]

I'm helping my mom come up with a plan for my sister who is a sophomore this year in high school. She is looking at getting her Associates and is very interested in photography. She just bought a new Nikon and all that and wants to one day be a photographer and maybe start her own business. We aren't sure whether she should get an Associates in Arts and have most of the credits be photography and a few business classes or if she should get an Associates in Business and fill the few electives up with photography classes. Is an AA or AS better than the other? Is a degree in business better to have than a degree in photography on the associates level?

Also, we are looking at New York Institute of Photography and Clovis Community College for her to take online photography classes through. Anyone have any input on these places as far as their photography classes? Also, does anyone have any input about Photoshop? NYIP offers a class in Photoshop, but can she just buy the program and work with it herself?

She's probably going to go with one of the Big 3. We just aren't sure which one yet.

Also, looking for any input on self training of photography with shadowing and apprenticing vs. earning this degree. Is self training difficult? Would it be better to study and practice on her own and then shadow someone for awhile or get her degree and then find an entry level job for practice? Is the money invested in the degree necessary or worth it in the photography business especially if she does her business from home?

Thanks in advance!

[marquardt21]

As a photographer I believe it would be better for your sister to get a business degree. I wish I had done that when I started out. New York Institute of Photography is a great school to learn from. I received my diploma from there in 1986 and since then it has only gotten better. As far as photoshop classes from New York Institute goes, I have not taken them so I have no comment on them. While a lot of people do buy the program and study it on their own your sister would learn faster from a course. Penn Foster college offers a course in photography along with a course in photoshop plus a degree in graphic arts which includes learning about photoshop and other good to know programs. As for self learning, a lot of successful photographers have done just that. If she decides to pursue a photography degree, it would still be a good idea to work for awhile with a more experienced photographer.

[Ubuntu_user]

A business degree will do a whole lot more in the long run than a photography specific degree. The photography field is a competitive one, and most photographers don't make much money. However, with a business degree, there's a whole lot more options available. And furthermore, with a business degree if photography is phased out or pushed to a very limited and hard to contend in area you've still got an option to make money.

My recommendation: get a bachelors or associates in business and take the NYIP course for the photography side.

[HorseManiac]

Okay, thank you both very much for your input. I think we were leaning more towards the business degree, but just wanted to check out the options. I think she will take the NYIP courses as electives as long as they aren't too expensive. Thanks for your advice!

[NumberSix]

I recommend lynda.com website to learn Photoshop, $30 a month for great quality video classes.

[HorseManiac]

I recommend lynda.com website to learn Photoshop, $30 a month for great quality video classes.

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll take a look at that.

[alleycat]

I think she could get a BSBA from TESC along with a BA in Art. As someone mentoned before Penn Foster has Phototgraphy, and Graphic Design course that could count towards her degree. Go on Ace's website and see what Penn Foster classes that are Ace reviewed. Honestly I hate to see someone that has the artistic gene just settle for a business degee. She can also take the DSST Art of the Western World exam for credit toward Art History I. I think she should considering doing both.