Photography School

Photography school - photography tips they don't teach in photography school

An Introduction to "photography tips they don't teach in photography school"

What follows is a list of photography tips that I didn’t learn in photography school.  I’ve seen similar lists on the internet and I thought that I’d share with you some of the “truths” I’ve learned since I’ve left photography school.  They say experience is the best teacher, and I’d have to agree.  In photography school, you’ll learn quite a bit about photography, but it’s not until you get out of school and into the real world profession, that you’ll really begin to expand your base of photographic and business knowledge.

I’ve taken the time to come up with a list of ideas, concepts and, just plain old practical knowledge about the profession and craft of photography.   The teachers and professors of photography in our photography schools and colleges will be able to teach you many things, but there are certain things that only a professional will know about.  I don’t know if I truly believe in the old saying that “those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach” but I do know for a fact that there is a big difference between theory and practice.  When you actually “do it”, you learn small little subtleties that you just can’t learn from a book or in a photography class.  And sometimes those “little things” make a huge difference in the outcome of a career.

Besides the technical side of photography, I’ll be talking about the business side and too.  Photography school is pretty good at teaching photographic theory, but even then, the working professional photographer will come up with little photography tips, hints, and suggestions (from things I've learned along the way) that will translate all the photography school theory into the practices and techniques that will make you into a true professional photographer. 

These photography tips will be useful for students right out of photography school and those thinking about attending photography school.  Both novice professional photographers and soon-to-be students will find many of the photography tips listed here useful.  Not all the tips are just about professional photography, but about business in general, so whether you’re in the commercial or wedding / portrait end of the photo industry, you’ll find the tips here useful in furthering your career.

I’m planning to add three ”What that they don’t teach you in photography school”, at a time to this web page.  I’ll try to address three subjects with each addition: The business side of photography, the craft of photography, and something related to what you can do  as a student in school to get yourself ready for a career in professional photography.

I’ll be adding to the list as I think of things, so please come back often to see “what they don’t teach you in photography school”.

Photography tips they don't teach in photography school (1 - 3)

1. You don’t yet know that you don’t know…

2. Very few companies employ photographers

3. Be aware of “happy accidents” in your photography

Photography tips they don't teach you in photography school (4 - 6)

4. You’re probably not as good a photographer as you think you are

5. You'll need to reinvent yourself several times before your photography career is over

6. Don't burn bridges, the photography community is a small one

Photography tips they don't teach you in photography school (7 - 9)

7. It’s okay to imitate good photography

8. Pictures are good for one (or more) of four reasons 

9. The art students in school may end up being your photography clients some day, so be nice to them

Photography tips they don't teach you in photography school (10 - 12)

10. You can learn to posing photography models at the mall

11. Professional Photography is not a 9-5 job

12. It’s harder to find new clients than it is to keep old ones.

Photography tips they don't teach you in photography school (13 - 15)

13. You'll need to start out your professional photography career as a generalist.

14. You can improve by looking at photos rather than photographing.

15. Success as a professional is as much about marketing as it is about photography.