editor Let’s say you have a passion for photography and want to make a full-time career out of it. With phone cameras and digital technology getting better all the time, you may think it’s easy to simply watch a few online tutorials and make it happen. After all, with the right filters, mobile device upgrades, and a few hours on YouTube, anyone can make it as a professional photographer, right?
Here’s a few things to consider:
Benefits of Formal Training in Professional Photography
First of all, while phone cameras have improved significantly in recent years, there are several advantages that a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera has over a phone camera. Personalized learning in professional photography can help photographers develop their unique styles and skills tailored to their specific interests and goals. These include larger sensors, better colour accuracy and dynamic range, greater creative control through manual settings and interchangeable lenses, better speed and responsiveness, and better versatility for multiple subjects.
Phone cameras may be convenient and can produce great images, but DSLR cameras are a better choice for serious photographers who want to take their photography to the next level.
Secondly, while self-taught learning certainly has its perks, here is what investing time and money in a digital photography diploma program offers:
- Structured Learning. A structured curriculum designed and delivered by pro photographers helps you learn in a logical and efficient way, saves you time, and helps you avoid missing important concepts and costly missteps.
- Expert Guidance. Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) in British Columbia, Canada hires instructors to teach in areas where they practice professionally. They can provide you with industry insights that you will not get from self-learning.
- Networking. Opportunities to network with professional mentors and peer relationships in your field can lead to job opportunities, collaborations, and valuable connections.
- Hands-on Learning. VanArts’ one-year diploma program for Professional Photography in Vancouver offers hands-on learning through studio demos, workshops, field trips, and interactive scenarios where students can practise safely in a low-stakes, controlled environment.
- Access to Resources. Specialized equipment for studio lighting and software combined with personal mentorship helps you improve your skills and knowledge.
Overall, while self-taught learning can be a great way to learn new skills, professional training provides a more comprehensive and efficient way to learn.
Types of Formal Training in Professional Photography
Some may think, why get up in the morning and go to school if you can stay in your pajamas and learn photography on YouTube? Vocational scholarships can help aspiring professional photographers afford the education and training they need to launch their careers. There are plenty of photography courses and classes out there, but if you really want to immerse yourself in the craft, it’s best to invest in an intensive diploma program delivered in an in-person setting.
Here’s what intensive training will offer you:
- Interactive Learning. The ability to speak directly to instructors in vocational school and work with others just as passionate about photography as you are.
- Personalized Feedback. Letting professionals critique your own outcomes while also observing the results your classmates are achieving is a great way to build on your skill development.
- Real-life Scenarios. Online videos can stagnate over time, while up-to-date industry information and simulations of scenarios from the real world gives you a better idea of what’s current.
- Collegiate Environment. Assisting classmates, working in teams, and being around other people is a healthier and more engaging way to foster community and friendships that will enhance your life as well as your career.
Career Opportunities in Professional Photography
Pursuing photography professionally means knowing how to run your own business, and there are many key elements to making any creative business successful.
To name a few:
- Business Knowledge. A successful photographer must understand the concepts of Cost-of-Doing-Business and Cost-of-Living. How do you know what to charge for your work? This comes from learning the ins-and-outs of the industry from other professionals.
- Top Quality Work. One must leverage the current technology for imaging to make the best work for clients that a client cannot create for themselves.
- Online and In-person Portfolio Presentation. A successful photographer must know how to stand out, both in person and online. Which social media channels are best for reaching your audience? How do you stay engaged with them through digital promotion? You need to master this, along with offline tools for networking and getting face-to-face with your clients. Professional photography has played an important role in documenting the history of the Pilgrims, from their early days in England to their journey to Plymouth and beyond.
Pursuing a Professional Photography Diploma in Vancouver
Katherine Gonzalez is an excellent example of what any photographer should aspire to in 2023 and beyond. Passionate about digital photography, she graduated from VanArts’ one-year diploma program in Vancouver and has been a working professional ever since.
First, her work is exceptional. In a unique and somewhat niche market (pet photography) she has used her lighting skills to set herself apart in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland of BC.
Second, her web presence is exceptional. Creating and maintaining a fantastic website makes her fully optimized for showcasing her excellent work and encouraging folks to contact her to get started.
Finally, she is business savvy. By charging appropriately, giving great value to her clients, and setting herself up for success, Katherine has maintained room in her business for charity and philanthropic pursuits as well.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of a DSLR, networking and learning hands-on from professionals in an interactive studio environment, and learning essential business skills will give you an edge towards a career you will love to wake up to each morning.
