Business degree or Photography degree?

gooser

gooser

Member
Hey guys,

Over this past semester I have made the decision to switch the direction of my schooling from Geological Engineering at Michigan Tech to some kind of business (marketing/entrepreneurship) and photography. To make a long story short, I realized I would never be happy working an engineering job in an office.

So far I have been almost completely self-taught within photography, but I wouldn't mind some kind of formal education in different lighting techniques, studio work, workflows,...etc.

I am wondering if I'd be better off sticking to business to back my photography, or if there is a lot I could get out of doing a dual major in both business and photography.

I'd greatly appreciate any input you may have!

Here is a link to my website for reference: www.christianraguse.com

Thanks!
 
I'm in the same boat. I'm heading off to college next year and was hoping to study film as a major and business as a minor but my parents won't let me do that. I also hope to not be too busy so a double major is kind of out of the option but I feel like I wouldn't be happy with only having film as a minor
 
13760330:Ascent_Cinema said:
I'm in the same boat. I'm heading off to college next year and was hoping to study film as a major and business as a minor but my parents won't let me do that. I also hope to not be too busy so a double major is kind of out of the option but I feel like I wouldn't be happy with only having film as a minor
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Might as well apply to top film schools in case prestige may play a factor. PM me if you want to talk more about that, went through the process last year.

@OP, a photography major isn't extremely valuable in my opinion, as everything you learn in school you could easily learn by reading books and taking workshops over summers. A majority of professional photogs don't have a degree in it. A minor would be something to consider as well. In the end, the business side of photography is what stops people from being able to make a living off off it. If I were in your position, I would go to business school on your parents' dime and learn the photography stuff on your own and/or in a minor. If you know how to run a business, that's more valuable than knowing the most influential photographers of the 18th century or knowing how to do a tintype. Photo school will hardly make your photos better, but business school will teach you what you need to do to make photography a living. My .02
 
topic:goofyguuse said:
Hey guys,

Over this past semester I have made the decision to switch the direction of my schooling from Geological Engineering at Michigan Tech to some kind of business (marketing/entrepreneurship) and photography. To make a long story short, I realized I would never be happy working an engineering job in an office.

So far I have been almost completely self-taught within photography, but I wouldn't mind some kind of formal education in different lighting techniques, studio work, workflows,...etc.

I am wondering if I'd be better off sticking to business to back my photography, or if there is a lot I could get out of doing a dual major in both business and photography.

I'd greatly appreciate any input you may have!

Here is a link to my website for reference: www.christianraguse.com

Thanks!
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First off, S/O to following what you truly want to do. As a Junior in currently at Temple University studying Film its super fun!! I know every school is super different, so I would talk to your advisor and find out what the requirements are for each. There is most likely a minor or certificate in Business or something similar due to how popular it is.

Your choices could go either way, What I do personally as I was in a similar boat, was stuck with my Major in Film (at my school you can pick a concentration(Post Production, Directing, Screen Writing, Producing, Cine, etc.)) I chose the Post Production path. My advisors very much made it a strong point to minor. So, I went the business route like most would, and took business classes in entrepreneurship and what not.

Moral of it, I study Film because its what I love and want to do, study business low-key because worse case a business degree is versatile and it'll help with building your own business if you want to do that.

13760330:Ascent_Cinema said:
I'm in the same boat. I'm heading off to college next year and was hoping to study film as a major and business as a minor but my parents won't let me do that. I also hope to not be too busy so a double major is kind of out of the option but I feel like I wouldn't be happy with only having film as a minor
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S/O to leaving the nest and heading off to college!! Your plan is basically exactly what I am doing its super fun!!!!

Tell your parents that a minor isn't that hard, its basically keeping you on a track and helping you learn more of what you want to learn, if i didn't minor, I could just take any damn class in the world that I wanted, so as much fun as Painting sounds, I know that shit won't help me in the long run.

Look at certificates, they are basically less than minors. My university has them and they are like 5 classes so it still gets you into business but doesn't through the entire load at them like a minor kind of does.

A double major is hell, and you can honestly kiss free time away, atleast from the stories that I have been told about my school.

Also if you love film and want to learn, follow it. Don't let people tell you other wise, but the work in and you will learn so much. I was a cocky senior in high school and as a freshman in college and thought I could learn by myself and teach myself and once I got into my major classes my entire view has change and I am totally the kid who tells you to say F**K other people and there thoughts, you happiness is what matters.

Any questions let me know though, where are you looking at heading for schools??
 
13760862:ICary said:
A double major is hell, and you can honestly kiss free time away, atleast from the stories that I have been told about my school.

Also if you love film and want to learn, follow it. Don't let people tell you other wise, but the work in and you will learn so much. I was a cocky senior in high school and as a freshman in college and thought I could learn by myself and teach myself and once I got into my major classes my entire view has change and I am totally the kid who tells you to say F**K other people and there thoughts, you happiness is what matters.

Any questions let me know though, where are you looking at heading for schools??
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Haha I cant say that when theyre paying for my college although I see where you're coming from. I'm currently looking at CU Boulder, UBC and University of Utah and a few others
 
13760894:Ascent_Cinema said:
Haha I cant say that when theyre paying for my college although I see where you're coming from. I'm currently looking at CU Boulder, UBC and University of Utah and a few others
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You're super lucky if they are paying haha. Don't forget scholarships too, now is the time to be doing them if you are a senior, they might be open if you get a some free money from them.

Are those schools all out of state? Also don't hate for the next question, but are you basing these schools off of your love for snow or off the actual schooling and future, i.e. internships, professors, connections, education, class requirements, etc.?

Also no dis to any of those schools, I have buddies at CU Boulder, and Uni Utah and they are killing it. I just personally know a fair amount of people who chased the snow and sadly failed/dropped out of those schools because there head wasn't on straight, and they had too much fun out of the classroom. But thats all personal.
 
It all depends on what you want to do once you're done with school. If you go to school for film/photography, make sure they have a great option to take business and marketing classes that coincide with your degree. I have quite a few buddies that graduated from good schools with a film degree and they have no idea how to find work

If you're looking to land an in-house media job with a big brand when you graduate, a degree in film/photography doesn't get you a whole lot...unless your work is amazing. The brands I've worked with usually look for a Graphic Design degree (If a degree is mandatory) since it encompasses quite a bit more than just one creative genre.

If freelance or starting you're own media company is more your thing, get a business/marketing degree. You can have all the talent in the world but if you can't sell yourself, you'll have a hell of a time finding work.

Remember, good experience and great work trumps just about anything you can get at school. While you're in school, use that opportunity to intern with big name companies if you can. That looks amazing down the road.
 
13760901:ICary said:
You're super lucky if they are paying haha. Don't forget scholarships too, now is the time to be doing them if you are a senior, they might be open if you get a some free money from them.

Are those schools all out of state? Also don't hate for the next question, but are you basing these schools off of your love for snow or off the actual schooling and future, i.e. internships, professors, connections, education, class requirements, etc.?

Also no dis to any of those schools, I have buddies at CU Boulder, and Uni Utah and they are killing it. I just personally know a fair amount of people who chased the snow and sadly failed/dropped out of those schools because there head wasn't on straight, and they had too much fun out of the classroom. But thats all personal.
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They are all out of state. I'm basing it off of academics but snow has played a huge role in creating my top list and thats why I really don't want to be on the east

13760907:JimmyB said:
It all depends on what you want to do once you're done with school. If you go to school for film/photography, make sure they have a great option to take business and marketing classes that coincide with your degree. I have quite a few buddies that graduated from good schools with a film degree and they have no idea how to find work

If you're looking to land an in-house media job with a big brand when you graduate, a degree in film/photography doesn't get you a whole lot...unless your work is amazing. The brands I've worked with usually look for a Graphic Design degree (If a degree is mandatory) since it encompasses quite a bit more than just one creative genre.

If freelance or starting you're own media company is more your thing, get a business/marketing degree. You can have all the talent in the world but if you can't sell yourself, you'll have a hell of a time finding work.

Remember, good experience and great work trumps just about anything you can get at school. While you're in school, use that opportunity to intern with big name companies if you can. That looks amazing down the road.
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Thank you for this, this has helped a ton considering I want to continue to grow my current company through college and past to something as big as Brainfarm or TGR hopefully (but I don't think I will use all the massive equipment, I prefer to keep it minimalist and focus on story and their films have this massive equipment and things like that but their stories don't feel personal. I love Nimbus Independent and We Are The Coterie for their personal feel)
 
13761115:Ascent_Cinema said:
(but I don't think I will use all the massive equipment, I prefer to keep it minimalist and focus on story and their films have this massive equipment and things like that but their stories don't feel personal. I love Nimbus Independent and We Are The Coterie for their personal feel)
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sorry for this little rant
 
Business. You'll have alot of free time in college to focus on photography. You can take photography classes as electives and still get a business degree. Everyone I know who has an art degree is struggling to get a job and that's not the life you want when your living on your own.
 
I didn't vote in your poll but here is my 2 cents,

I went to photography school. Went to a private art school with no other choice for majors. My parents wanted me to go to a public college/university and just incase I didn't want to go into photography, I could easily switch studies.

I started with about 50 people in my Freshman year photo class. By senior year there was only 26 of us left. To me, going to an art school was great. I improved a lot, and ended up really focusing on commercial photography. Near the end of school, I slowly started switching over to film, instead of photography. No big deal because the lighting is the same. After graduating I moved to LA and started working in the film industry. I was on of the lucky ones. Out of the 26 people that I graduated with, maybe other 12 are actually still working in the photography world. Out of those 12, I'd say other 4 or so are currently successfully in doing in full time, 6 years after graduating.

Would I have changed anything? No.

I'm not saying to drop out and go the photography route, but I can honestly say that I love what I do and I'm extremely grateful I actually enjoy going to work.

What should you do? If you want to pursue photography, you could drop out and get your official training in the field. The other option in go out and do it. The internet is full of crazy information and all sorts of helpful stuff. I still read and research everyday to expand my knowledge. However, the one thing the internet/books can't do it push you. Going to school WILL push you creatively because you have to do your assignments, etc. I can't tell you how many times I started working on something and said "fuck it, I'll get to that later..." "I'll shoot that tomorrow" etc...

Also college gets you contacts. If I skipped college, and just started shooting, I probably wouldn't be in LA right now. The joke here is you go to USC for the contacts, not the education.

Ha, sorry for the long post. Hopefully this helps.
 
13761090:Mkvackay said:
I didn't read anything.. but

BUSINESS

with a minor in photo, if you can
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Agreed.

Heck, I'd say Business with a minor in Marketing is probably even more valuable than a photography degree. Learn how to sell your work without selling your soul.

(And yes, I wave my camera for a living, and no, I have not taken any practical photography class, although that would probably help make my camera waving less erratic, and more artistic and productive.)
 
Currently I'm doing business at OSU and it's a pain in the ass. But I know once I graduate it'll all be worth it. I would double major if you have the time. Photography can be a side job to your real job once you graduate, but also having a degree in business and photography does sound like a good combo.
 
I reached out to a professional ski photographer years back asking the same question and he told me to major in business and minor in photography.

Nowadays I am majoring in Information Technology while keeping photography as a passion. I tried Fine Art for a while and the structured setting killed me (along with the politics of the art world, but thats a story for another time.) I was ranked amongst the top 5 art students at my college. And I gave it up because I realized I want to have the money to develop my passion further. Very few people in the art world can live on solely their work.

I'm telling you to use your college education as a means to finance your passion. The lack of structure is what fuels creativity. If you want to learn the technical aspects then start doing some research. A photography class won't teach you anything different than what you can find online.
 
Don't do art school/photography as a major.

I am studying Journalism and Media Communications.

I like it because I still get to play with cameras, bur also get some legit applicable education.

One half of the major is Journalism, the other half is pretty much digital advertising and communication, which I hope to pair with my photography and media for a future job (hopefully in the ski/outdoor industry)
 
13763068:grantwhitty said:
Don't do art school/photography as a major.

I am studying Journalism and Media Communications.

I like it because I still get to play with cameras, bur also get some legit applicable education.

One half of the major is Journalism, the other half is pretty much digital advertising and communication, which I hope to pair with my photography and media for a future job (hopefully in the ski/outdoor industry)
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Could you tell me more about what Media communications is?
 
13763151:Ascent_Cinema said:
Could you tell me more about what Media communications is?
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As far as curriculum, at CSU it's pretty much all mediums of media, (video, photos, text, social media, etc.) and how to actually use them in the real world for businesses, vs. just using them for personal use, typically in a marketing or P.R. sense
 
13763205:grantwhitty said:
As far as curriculum, at CSU it's pretty much all mediums of media, (video, photos, text, social media, etc.) and how to actually use them in the real world for businesses, vs. just using them for personal use, typically in a marketing or P.R. sense
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Sweet thanks! I'm actually interested in this. Marketing has been very interesting to me so I need to decide wether I want to study business or marketing

I'm hoping to continue to grow Ascent Cinema through college and beyond I am leaning towards more of a business degree
 
Go for it!

Coming into college, I really wanted to study business. The more I looked into it, I realized how unlikely it was going to be for me to get into it. I looked into JMC and feel in love with what I am studying. Schooling hasn't always been the easiest thing for me, I find a lot of joy studying what I am studying though.
 
bachelors degrees are pretty much worthless these days, stick with engeering, go for a masters get fuckin paid. every job starts to suck after you do it day in and day out, focus on getting the highest wage you can.
 
It is always a good idea to get a business degree when going into the arts. You will be able to learn many valuable things such as how to market yourself and manage budgets and so on. From what my friends who are photography journalists tell me, a plain photography degree is not the best idea. He dualed in journalism and photography and it worked out well for him (he has had articles posted by Nat Geo). Basically get the business degree as well!
 
business.

Photography has become something that the masses are now more and more capable of teaching themselves. as the equipment becomes cheaper and the internet becomes more and more prevalent it produces more and more good people. this creates a very competitive market where you require more than just pure technical ability to stand out.

As a photographer/videographer you are likely going to be running your own business. there are a lot of people out there that can do basically the same thing you can, so how do you set yourself apart? knowing how to run a business, how to price competitively based on market trends, knowing how to provide customer service, and knowing how to manage risk are key. They are also far harder to learn by yourself. get the business degree.
 
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