Help - Search - Members - Calendar
Full Version: Hola from Phoenix, AZ
OpenSourcePhoto > Who We Are :-) > All about You :-)
Virginia
Hi there! My name is Virginia; you can call me V for short. With all the rage in forums I am happy to announce this is the first forum I have joined. I'm glad that I'm getting more in-touch with the cyber world. Wooohoooo!

Okay, here’s the deal...I'm an aspiring photographer with very little knowledge of the technical skills required for this type of craft. I can't express how much I love taking pictures and want to go somewhere with it.

However, to gain those technical skills I feel I should go to school or should I? After much research and without any real grounded knowledge of the schools (other than information I pulled off the internet and talking to a few photographers), I narrowed my choices down to Brooks Institute, Art Institute of Colorado, and ASU. I recently went to an open house at Brooks Institute and didn’t get that “special” feeling that it was the place for me. So that’s off the list. Also, what I learned from every photographer I've talked to-NO ONE has gone to school for it! I think that it’s amazing; amazing in a great way that all these pro photographers have found their groove without school.

I’m just scared and anxious to get started and I want to make well-informed choices. And because I hear this is a great place to ask questions and you all are where you are today, I would very much appreciate any advice you have on schools or diving into the photography world.



I look forward to hearing from you!



Chelo
Hi,

I think it's a very personal decision. I have definitely benefited from workshops and classes, but I did not enroll in a formal photography program. I wanted to, but in the end I felt I was trying to create a cushion/ safety net for myself. Not wanting to take the risk, enrolling in a four year program seemed like the safest route. I eventually took the plunge and learned that a formal program was not for me. So I suggest that you do some soul searching. Maybe enroll as a non-matriculate and take one class to see what you think.

Good luck and welcome!
boldimagery
Yo V,

Welcome! I too did not go to school, but that is not to say you shouldn't. There are great reasons to do so. One BIG one is to network. In school you will get to meet the big names... At least at all the schools you mentioned. You will get a chance to rub your elbows with some of the best talent in the country.

A lot of folks have not went to school but a lot have too. I personally teach classes in my area. See if there is something like that near you. Also, approach a few photographers you admire about assisting. The pay will be horrible but the knowledge you gain will take for a nice long trip.
Matt Sloan
QUOTE(Virginia @ February 16 2007, 11:57 AM) [snapback]79725[/snapback]
Hi there! My name is Virginia; you can call me V for short. With all the rage in forums I am happy to announce this is the first forum I have joined. I'm glad that I'm getting more in-touch with the cyber world. Wooohoooo!

Okay, here’s the deal...I'm an aspiring photographer with very little knowledge of the technical skills required for this type of craft. I can't express how much I love taking pictures and want to go somewhere with it.

However, to gain those technical skills I feel I should go to school or should I? After much research and without any real grounded knowledge of the schools (other than information I pulled off the internet and talking to a few photographers), I narrowed my choices down to Brooks Institute, Art Institute of Colorado, and ASU. I recently went to an open house at Brooks Institute and didn’t get that “special” feeling that it was the place for me. So that’s off the list. Also, what I learned from every photographer I've talked to-NO ONE has gone to school for it! I think that it’s amazing; amazing in a great way that all these pro photographers have found their groove without school.

I’m just scared and anxious to get started and I want to make well-informed choices. And because I hear this is a great place to ask questions and you all are where you are today, I would very much appreciate any advice you have on schools or diving into the photography world.



I look forward to hearing from you!




Virginia,
Awesome. Welcome to OSP. Being from AZ I would take an intro photography class at MCC or SCC. They really have some awesome teachers there and the way of the arts (shooting, sharing, and critiquing) have helped me tons. I went to ASU.

Other things that can help is research, workshops, seminars, and second shooting.

Email us anytime if you have any other questions.

Matt@SloanPhotographers.com
bsteffine
Hi, Virginia, and welcome to OSP. It's nice to hear from another AZ person.

One important aspect of making your decision, and how you should approach the industry, is what you want to do as a photographer. Do you want to shoot commercial? Or are you looking into weddings? Maybe portraiture or fine art?

Each of these may require a completely different approach, or give better indication of the benefit of formal schooling. Workshops and seminars are a great aid, but so much of success in photography comes down to your personality, your business skills, and maybe most important of all, your determination to succeed. You gotta' be driven and persistent to make this your career!

Feel free to contact me. smile.gif
Joy Nudd
Warm welcome to you Virginia smile.gif

Everyone has given you great advice here. I couldn't tell you what to do...its such a personal choice and photography is so subjective. But you will learn a lot here and hopefully you can decide for yourself when the time is right smile.gif
nicole green
hi v! smile.gif welcome to osp!
i am one of the few that went to photography school. the cost was outrageous and i'm still wondering if it was even worth it. i knew quite a bit before i went to school so that could have been why i feel that way. i learned a lot of technical things but it was commercial photography. when i went to school i figured i'd end up being a commercial photographer but i'm not doing that right now. maybe down the road some other time in my life i might apply those skills but i highly doubt it. i hate looking at it this way but there are way too many times i feel like i threw away $30,000 .. well wait, i'm STILL throwing away $30,000 because it's all in loans that i will be paying off for years and years from now. i don't even want to get started on that subject! mad.gif

laughing.gif

as far as the good side of me going to school .. i met my love there. wub.gif he is worth every penny of that 30 grand! laughing.gif
brandy j
I totally agree that it is such a personal choice. For me it was the right fit. I went to the same school as Nicole G (as well as Jessica Strickland and Missy Carl) and have never once thought that it was a waste of money (I am lucky enough to not have the loans - that surely makes a big difference). I did not know one thing about working a manual SLR camera before going there - I just knew that I loved photography and wanted to learn more about it. It was a great fit for me from the very beginning.

But as all the others have stated there are so many terrific and accessible resources out there. I learn something new just about everyday from this forum alone (and I found my wedding phographers on here so I will always LOVE OSP for that wub.gif wub.gif wub.gif ).

Best wishes on your choice. I can tell that you have a passion for photography and I hope to see some of your work soon biggrin.gif
Virginia
QUOTE(chelophoto @ February 16 2007, 06:06 PM) [snapback]80003[/snapback]
Hi,

I think it's a very personal decision. I have definitely benefited from workshops and classes, but I did not enroll in a formal photography program. I wanted to, but in the end I felt I was trying to create a cushion/ safety net for myself. Not wanting to take the risk, enrolling in a four year program seemed like the safest route. I eventually took the plunge and learned that a formal program was not for me. So I suggest that you do some soul searching. Maybe enroll as a non-matriculate and take one class to see what you think.

Good luck and welcome!


Thanks Chelo!

I am definitely going to take a couple of basic photography classes this summer session. I can't wait. I hear people camp out at one of the junior colleges here in AZ just for a spot in the photography classes they offer. Crazy. So camp out I will.

I checked out your site too, very nice. Who doesn't love pictures of kids? Oh, and maybe it's just me but I couldn't view your slideshow. rolleyes.gif

Again, thanks and best to you on your business plan. biggrin.gif



Take care,

V

Virginia
QUOTE(boldimagery @ February 16 2007, 08:14 PM) [snapback]80090[/snapback]
Yo V,

Welcome! I too did not go to school, but that is not to say you shouldn't. There are great reasons to do so. One BIG one is to network. In school you will get to meet the big names... At least at all the schools you mentioned. You will get a chance to rub your elbows with some of the best talent in the country.

A lot of folks have not went to school but a lot have too. I personally teach classes in my area. See if there is something like that near you. Also, approach a few photographers you admire about assisting. The pay will be horrible but the knowledge you gain will take for a nice long trip.


Hey, hey! So excellent point thumbsup.gif ...school is a great place to network! I hadn't thought of that. That's going on my list of Pros for reasons I should go to school for photography.
I have no qualms about receiving horrible pay if any for assisting; it's more of the asking that has held me up. I feel like I'd be intruding…I know, I know, I just gotta put myself out there.
What classes do you teach?
Thanks for you input...see ya around.
Chelo
QUOTE(Virginia @ February 18 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]80986[/snapback]
Thanks Chelo!

I am definitely going to take a couple of basic photography classes this summer session. I can't wait. I hear people camp out at one of the junior colleges here in AZ just for a spot in the photography classes they offer. Crazy. So camp out I will.

I checked out your site too, very nice. Who doesn't love pictures of kids? Oh, and maybe it's just me but I couldn't view your slideshow. rolleyes.gif

Again, thanks and best to you on your business plan. biggrin.gif



Take care,

V


Hey you were right about the slideshow! Thanks, fixing it up now. thumbsup.gif
Virginia
QUOTE(nicole g. @ February 17 2007, 02:58 PM) [snapback]80592[/snapback]
hi v! smile.gif welcome to osp!
i am one of the few that went to photography school. the cost was outrageous and i'm still wondering if it was even worth it. i knew quite a bit before i went to school so that could have been why i feel that way. i learned a lot of technical things but it was commercial photography. when i went to school i figured i'd end up being a commercial photographer but i'm not doing that right now. maybe down the road some other time in my life i might apply those skills but i highly doubt it. i hate looking at it this way but there are way too many times i feel like i threw away $30,000 .. well wait, i'm STILL throwing away $30,000 because it's all in loans that i will be paying off for years and years from now. i don't even want to get started on that subject! mad.gif

laughing.gif

as far as the good side of me going to school .. i met my love there. wub.gif he is worth every penny of that 30 grand! laughing.gif



Hi Nicole laugh.gif !
I am so with you about the cost of photography schools...totally outrageous! If it wasn't for the MGI Bill I'm entitled to for being in the Navy for six years, I probably wouldn't consider the out-of-state schools I have. Not that it matters the schools are out of state, because they have set prices. I'll still have to pull plenty of money out of my own pocket, but I just want it to be worth it. I love learning, I have never shot with a "real" camera and think school would be a good start for me.
What school did you attend? I truly like your pictures (I checked out your site), especially the baby pics....totally brought a big biggrin.gif smile to my face! psst, your bf does resemble JT.

-V


JeffersonTodd
Welcome to OSP Virginia!

Its nice to see another one from AZ. I definitely agree with Matt Sloan. It would be great for you to take an intro to photography class at either Scottsdale Community College or Mesa Community College. Both seem to have a good photography program that would help guide you in more of the technical aspects of shooting.
Virginia
QUOTE(JeffersonTodd @ February 18 2007, 12:21 PM) [snapback]81017[/snapback]
Welcome to OSP Virginia!

Its nice to see another one from AZ. I definitely agree with Matt Sloan. It would be great for you to take an intro to photography class at either Scottsdale Community College or Mesa Community College. Both seem to have a good photography program that would help guide you in more of the technical aspects of shooting.



Hi JT,
I believe I saw you at the PUG meeting in the Phx Central Library. I didn't have a chance to introduce myself. So, hi, nice to meet you and I'll see ya a next month's meeting.

Ciao
V
Virginia
QUOTE(Sloan Photographers @ February 16 2007, 09:40 PM) [snapback]80149[/snapback]
Virginia,
Awesome. Welcome to OSP. Being from AZ I would take an intro photography class at MCC or SCC. They really have some awesome teachers there and the way of the arts (shooting, sharing, and critiquing) have helped me tons. I went to ASU.

Other things that can help is research, workshops, seminars, and second shooting.

Email us anytime if you have any other questions.

Matt@SloanPhotographers.com


Hi Sloans,
Thanks for being open for questions. It really is comforting to me to know that there are people out there that are willing to answer my questions. Look forward to meeting you two! Now that I know your faces I'll keep an eye out for you at those photograpy meetings...which are you a member of?

Virginia

Virginia
QUOTE(bsteffine @ February 16 2007, 10:09 PM) [snapback]80184[/snapback]
Hi, Virginia, and welcome to OSP. It's nice to hear from another AZ person.

One important aspect of making your decision, and how you should approach the industry, is what you want to do as a photographer. Do you want to shoot commercial? Or are you looking into weddings? Maybe portraiture or fine art?

Each of these may require a completely different approach, or give better indication of the benefit of formal schooling. Workshops and seminars are a great aid, but so much of success in photography comes down to your personality, your business skills, and maybe most important of all, your determination to succeed. You gotta' be driven and persistent to make this your career!

Feel free to contact me. smile.gif


Thanks for the welcome and advice thumbsup.gif Yeah, us AZers are sticking together it seems. Ahhhh, I hear ya, picking an aspect of photography will be yet another tough decision. I love it all! I love taking pictures of everything and of nothing at all that choosing just one main focus will be extremely difficult.
However, my mind has been made up for me. I've only been to two seminars/meetings and it seems the focus is on weddings. That can't be just a coincidence; I think I am meant for weddings.
And I couldn't agree with you more that success is determined by your personality. I think that is largely what makes you or breaks you. Just out of the two meetings I've been to, it seems that what you are marketing is really yourself and then your work second.
Take care,
Virginia

BLA BLA BLA
welcome V
sf
Virginia
QUOTE(Brandy J Adams @ February 17 2007, 06:21 PM) [snapback]80690[/snapback]
I totally agree that it is such a personal choice. For me it was the right fit. I went to the same school as Nicole G (as well as Jessica Strickland and Missy Carl) and have never once thought that it was a waste of money (I am lucky enough to not have the loans - that surely makes a big difference). I did not know one thing about working a manual SLR camera before going there - I just knew that I loved photography and wanted to learn more about it. It was a great fit for me from the very beginning.

But as all the others have stated there are so many terrific and accessible resources out there. I learn something new just about everyday from this forum alone (and I found my wedding phographers on here so I will always LOVE OSP for that wub.gif wub.gif wub.gif ).

Best wishes on your choice. I can tell that you have a passion for photography and I hope to see some of your work soon biggrin.gif


Hi Brandy,
Wow, such amazing and bold colors you Ohioans (is that what you call people from Ohio?) choose. Beautiful, talking about the wedding photos on your website. wink.gif Seriously, I've never seen so much color. You did an excellent job of transcending those colors! Bravo.
So what school did you attend? I, myself have never used an SLR camera either. I am patiently waiting for that glorious day though.



Hope to hear back from you.

V
Joy Nudd
QUOTE(Virginia @ February 18 2007, 10:54 PM) [snapback]81330[/snapback]
Hi Brandy,
Wow, such amazing and bold colors you Ohioans (is that what you call people from Ohio?) choose. Beautiful, talking about the wedding photos on your website. wink.gif Seriously, I've never seen so much color. You did an excellent job of transcending those colors! Bravo.
So what school did you attend? I, myself have never used an SLR camera either. I am patiently waiting for that glorious day though.



Hope to hear back from you.

V



LOL! Brandy is getting married this Friday smile.gif But then she is sooo sweet and awesome, you probably will hear from her this week amidst all the activity! wub.gif
brandy j
QUOTE(Virginia @ February 18 2007, 10:54 PM) [snapback]81330[/snapback]
Hi Brandy,
Wow, such amazing and bold colors you Ohioans (is that what you call people from Ohio?) choose. Beautiful, talking about the wedding photos on your website. wink.gif Seriously, I've never seen so much color. You did an excellent job of transcending those colors! Bravo.
So what school did you attend? I, myself have never used an SLR camera either. I am patiently waiting for that glorious day though.



Hope to hear back from you.

V


AWWWWW.............Thank You V!!! So cute about the Ohio question - you can call me a Buckeye - kind of like being able to call a person from Indiana a Hoosier. Ohian works too though biggrin.gif

I attended The Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology. It will be 10 years ago next year that I attended (WOWSERS I am getting old) and of course they have completely changed everything to digital since then. Nicole G would definitely be the one to fill you in on the current OIPT - when I went there it was pretty terrific and hopefully it is still the same way.

QUOTE(Joy Nudd @ February 18 2007, 11:12 PM) [snapback]81337[/snapback]
LOL! Brandy is getting married this Friday smile.gif But then she is sooo sweet and awesome, you probably will hear from her this week amidst all the activity! wub.gif



laughing.gif

I just read this!! TOO SWEET wub.gif

I am having one of those "too many things on my mind, cannot sleep" sort of nights. I am about to pop in a movie - that seems to always put me to sleep for whatever reason. Have no fear, I will be well rested for the BIG DAY biggrin.gif
Virginia
QUOTE(Brandy J Adams @ February 18 2007, 11:20 PM) [snapback]81444[/snapback]
AWWWWW.............Thank You V!!! So cute about the Ohio question - you can call me a Buckeye - kind of like being able to call a person from Indiana a Hoosier. Ohian works too though biggrin.gif

I attended The Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology. It will be 10 years ago next year that I attended (WOWSERS I am getting old) and of course they have completely changed everything to digital since then. Nicole G would definitely be the one to fill you in on the current OIPT - when I went there it was pretty terrific and hopefully it is still the same way.




laughing.gif

I just read this!! TOO SWEET wub.gif

I am having one of those "too many things on my mind, cannot sleep" sort of nights. I am about to pop in a movie - that seems to always put me to sleep for whatever reason. Have no fear, I will be well rested for the BIG DAY biggrin.gif


I just wanna shout at the very top...CONGRATULATIONS!

QUOTE(Brandy J Adams @ February 18 2007, 11:20 PM) [snapback]81444[/snapback]
AWWWWW.............Thank You V!!! So cute about the Ohio question - you can call me a Buckeye - kind of like being able to call a person from Indiana a Hoosier. Ohian works too though biggrin.gif

I attended The Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology. It will be 10 years ago next year that I attended (WOWSERS I am getting old) and of course they have completely changed everything to digital since then. Nicole G would definitely be the one to fill you in on the current OIPT - when I went there it was pretty terrific and hopefully it is still the same way.




laughing.gif

I just read this!! TOO SWEET wub.gif

I am having one of those "too many things on my mind, cannot sleep" sort of nights. I am about to pop in a movie - that seems to always put me to sleep for whatever reason. Have no fear, I will be well rested for the BIG DAY biggrin.gif



I just want to shout CONGRATULATIONS on the uniting. I would love to see the moments captured. I have tired unrestless nights lately. I wish you the very very best. Thanks for the response and enjoy the movie. smile.gif
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.
Invision Power Board © 2001-2009 Invision Power Services, Inc.