Are you interested in art? Do you have an eye for color and light? Do you believe that a picture is worth one thousand words? If you answered yes to these questions, you should consider photography as a college major. Photography majors express ideas, provoke emotions and convey information through cameras and film.
Education
According to the College Board, photography majors can earn an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. In order to prepare for a photography program, consider taking AP Studio Art, computer applications, and graphic design in high school. Some typical college courses for photography majors include lighting techniques, photojournalism, digital photography, color photography and black-and-white photography.
What to know before you apply
Before deciding on a certain school, you should be aware of whether they offer an actual photography program, or offer an art program with a possible concentration in photography. There are differences. You should also know whether you will earn a B.A. or a B.F.A. (bachelor of fine arts). This will affect your job prospects. Finally, you should know the hours of the campus darkroom, and whether you will be required to share it with non-majors.
Salary
A degree in photography will prepare you for career positions including photographers, web designers and camera operators and editors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, photographers earned an average annual salary of $36,580 in 2011, while web designers earned a median of $55,000 in 2012. Camera operators earned an average salary of $49,430 and editors earned 66,690 in 2011.
> For more information about choosing a career check out NextStepU.com/Careers.
