3 Post-secondary Routes You Could Take to Get Into Photography

There are 3 post-secondary routes you could take to get into photography. Find out which one is best for you and your career goals!

Checkout this video:

The Different Types of Photography

Photography is a huge field with many different sub-disciplines. Here are three types of photography you could study at the post-secondary level to start your career in this field.

1. Fine art photography
This type of photography is all about creating beautiful images that can be displayed in galleries or sold as prints. If you want to pursue fine art photography, you’ll need to be creative and have a strong understanding of the history of art. You’ll also need to be comfortable working with different techniques and styles.

2. Commercial photography
This type of photography is all about taking photos that will be used for commercial purposes, such as advertising or product promotion. If you want to pursue commercial photography, you’ll need to be able to take great photos that meet the needs of your client. You’ll also need to have strong business skills so you can run your own studio or freelance business.

3. Scientific photography
This type of photography is all about taking photos that will be used for scientific research or documentation. If you want to pursue scientific photography, you’ll need to have strong technical skills and knowledge of physics and optics. You’ll also need to be able to take clear and concise photographs that accurately document your subjects.

The Various Photography Fields

Photography is a very broad field with many different facets that you could go into. In this guide, we’ll be going over three of the most common post-secondary routes people take to get into photography: photojournalism, portraiture, and landscape.

Photojournalism is a type of journalism that covers important events or tells stories visually through the use of images. Photojournalists work for newspapers, magazines, websites, and television news programs. They might also work as freelancers.

Portrait photography is all about taking pictures of people. Portrait photographers may take photos of families, babies, couples, businesspeople, or models. They might work in a studio or on location. Some portrait photographers specialize in shooting weddings.

Landscape photography is all about taking pictures of natural scenery like mountains, forests, lakes, and sunsets. Landscape photographers often travel to different parts of the world to take photos. They might work for magazines or websites that feature travel stories.

Different Ways to Get Into Photography

There are many ways to get into photography, but these are three popular post-secondary routes you could take.

Commercial Photography: This type of photography is all about taking photographs for commercial use. This could be anything from product photography to food photography. If you want to get into commercial photography, then you will need to complete a post-secondary program in photography.

Fine Art Photography: Fine art photography is all about taking photographs that are considered to be works of art. If you want to get into fine art photography, then you will need to complete a post-secondary program in photography.

Photojournalism: Photojournalism is all about taking photographs for the purpose of journalism. If you want to get into photojournalism, then you will need to complete a post-secondary program in either journalism or photography.

There are many different types of photography, and each one has its own unique challenges and rewards. Here are just a few of the most popular types of photography:

1. Landscape Photography
One of the most popular types of photography, landscape photography captures the beauty of nature. From sweeping mountain vistas to serene lakes and forests, landscape photographers strive to capture the majesty of the outdoors.

2. Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography is one of the most challenging and rewarding types of photography. Capturing rare and wild animals in their natural habitat can be both a thrill and a challenge. Often, wildlife photographers must be patient and wait for hours or even days to get that perfect shot.

3. Portrait Photography
Portrait photography is all about capturing the essence of a person. Whether it’s a formal family portrait or a more candid shot, portrait photographers strive to capture their subjects in a way that is both flattering and accurate.

Landscape photography: Capturing the beauty of nature, whether it’s sweeping vistas or intimate close-ups.

If you love taking pictures and are considering making a career of it, there are a few post-secondary routes you could take to get into photography. Here are three:

1. Landscape photography: Capturing the beauty of nature, whether it’s sweeping vistas or intimate close-ups.

2. Fashion photography: Working with models and clothing designers to create beautiful images for magazines, advertisements, and catalogs.

3. Wedding photography: Capturing the special moments of a couple’s big day, from the ceremony and reception to the first dance and cake cutting.

Portrait photography: Capturing the personality and emotion of a subject through their facial expressions and body language.

Portrait photography is all about capturing the personality and emotion of a subject through their facial expressions and body language. It can be a challenging genre to master, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

There are many different ways to get into portrait photography, but here are three of the most popular routes:

1. A degree in photography from a specialized college or university. This will give you the technical skills and knowledge you need to take great portraits, as well as the opportunity to develop your own unique style.

2. An apprenticeship with a professional photographer. This is a great way to learn from someone who has already mastered the craft, and you’ll get first-hand experience of what it takes to be a successful portrait photographer.

3. Self-study through books, workshops, and online courses. This is a cheaper option than attending a college or university, and you’ll have the freedom to study at your own pace. However, it can be more difficult to get feedback on your work without the guidance of a professional mentor.

Wedding photography: Capturing the joy and excitement of a couple’s special day.

On one of the most important days of a couple’s life, they put a lot of trust in their wedding photographer to capture every moment of their big day. If you have an interest in photography and enjoy being around people on one of the happiest days of their lives, wedding photography could be the perfect niche for you!

There are numerous post-secondary routes you could take to get into this field. Many professional photographers pursue a degree or diploma in photography from a college or university, while others learn through short-term workshops or online courses. And although it’s not required, many successful photographers also have a solid understanding of business principles to help them run their own studio or freelance business.

Action photography: Capturing split-second moments of athletes in motion, or animals in the wild.

Action photography is all about capturing split-second moments of athletes in motion, or animals in the wild. It takes a lot of skill and practice to be able to consistently capture these types of moments, but it can be an extremely rewarding type of photography.

If you’re interested in becoming an action photographer, there are a few post-secondary routes you could take to get into this field. Here are three options to consider:

1. Take a photography program at a college or university
There are many colleges and universities across Canada that offer photography programs. These programs will give you a strong foundation in the technical aspects of photography, as well as composition and creative thinking.

2. Complete a diploma or certificate program in photojournalism
If you’re interested specifically in sports photography, completing a diploma or certificate program in photojournalism could be a great option for you. These programs will teach you how to tell stories with your photos, and how to capture those split-second moments that make action photos so exciting.

3. Self-study by taking online courses or attending workshops
If you’re not able to commit to a full-time program, there are plenty of online courses and workshops available that can help you learn the skills you need to become an action photographer. Doing some self-study is a great way to get started in this field without making a major investment of time or money.

still life photography: Capturing inanimate objects in a creative and artistic way.

Still life photography is all about capturing inanimate objects in a creative and artistic way. This could involve arranging a scene with different props and lighting, or simply shooting everyday objects in an interesting way. Still life photography is a great way to hone your skills and get creative with composition, lighting and styling. Here are three post-secondary routes you could take to get into this type of photography:

1. Completing a Photography Degree or Diploma

One of the best ways to get started in still life photography is by completing a degree or diploma in photography. This will give you a solid foundation in the technical aspects of photography, as well as helping you to develop your creative eye. Many schools also offer internships and work placements as part of their programs, which can be a great way to get some real-world experience.

2. Taking an Online Course

If you can’t commit to a full-time course, there are plenty of online courses that can teach you the basics of still life photography. These can be completed at your own pace, and some even offer certification upon completion.

3. Learning from Youtube Videos or Blogs

There are endless resources available online for those who want to learn still life photography (or any type of photography for that matter). If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can easily teach yourself everything you need to know by watching Youtube videos or reading blog posts from experienced photographers.

There are many different fields of photography, each with its own unique challenges and rewards. Here are just a few of the most popular photography fields:

1. Fine art photography: Fine art photography is all about creating beautiful images that can be hung on walls or displayed in galleries. If you want to pursue fine art photography, you’ll need to develop your own unique style and learn how to market your work.

2. Fashion photography: Fashion photography is all about capturing the latest trends in clothing and accessories. If you want to pursue fashion photography, you’ll need to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends and learn how to take flattering photos of people.

3. Wedding photography: Wedding photography is all about capturing the special moments of a couple’s big day. If you want to pursue wedding photography, you’ll need to be able to handle a hectic schedule and learn how to deal with challenging customers.

Commercial photography: Shooting products, people, or places for advertising and marketing purposes.

Commercial photography is all about shooting products, people, or places for advertising and marketing purposes. If you want to get into this field, you’ll need to be able to capture images that will help sell a product or service.

There are a few different routes you can take to get into commercial photography. One option is to complete a post-secondary program in photography. This could be a certificate, diploma, or degree program at a college or university.

Another option is to pursue a career in another field related to photography, such as graphic design or advertising. You can then use your skills in these fields to break into commercial photography.

Finally, you can also try to get hired by a company that specializes in commercial photography. This could be a advertising agency, design studio, or even a retail store that does product photography.

Fashion photography: Capturing the latest trends in fashion for magazines, designers, and retailers.

Fashion photography is all about capturing the latest trends in fashion for magazines, designers, and retailers. This type of photography is usually done in a studio with professional models and fancy clothes, but it can also be done on location. Fashion photographers must be able to make their subjects look good in whatever they’re wearing and must have an eye for detail.

Fine art photography: Creating images that are intended to be hung on walls or displayed in galleries.

Fine art photography is creating images that are intended to be hung on walls or displayed in galleries. A big part of creating fine art photography is coming up with a style that is unique to you and fine-tuning it so that your audience knows that when they see one of your images, they are seeing your work.

There are a few different routes you can take to get into fine art photography. The first is to get a degree in photography from an accredited institution. This will give you the technical skills you need to create well-exposed and composed images, as well as the opportunity to explore different styles and techniques.

Another route is to take some classes at a local college or community center. You don’t need a degree to take classes, but they can still give you the technical skills you need and help you find your style.

You could also just start taking pictures! Explore different techniques and styles until you find something that speaks to you, then keep practicing and fine-tuning your craft. There are lots of resources available online and in libraries that can help you improve your skills.

All three of these routes can get you started on a career in fine art photography, it just depends on what works best for you and your schedule/budget.

Journalistic photography: Telling stories with images, whether it’s for a newspaper, website, or documentary.

Journalistic photography is about telling stories with images, whether it’s for a newspaper, website, or documentary. If you’re interested in this field, you could study photojournalism at a college or university, or take a workshop or class to learn the basics. You could also start your own photography business, specializing in news and events photography.

Sports photography: Capturing the excitement of live sporting events, from little league to the Olympics.

Sports photography is all about capturing the action and excitement of live sporting events. Whether it’s little league baseball or the Olympic Games, sports photography is a thrilling way to freeze a moment in time and share it with others.

If you’re interested in becoming a sports photographer, there are a few post-secondary routes you could take to get started. Here are three of them:

1. Pursue a degree in photography: A degree in photography will give you a strong foundation in the technical aspects of the craft, as well as provide you with an opportunity to develop your own style.

2. Complete a post-secondary program in photojournalism: A photojournalism program will focus specifically on sports photography, and will teach you how to capture the action of live events and tell stories through your images.

3. Apprenticeship with a professional photographer: An apprenticeship with a professional photographer who specializes in sports photography is another great way to learn the ropes and start your career.

There are many different ways to get into photography, and each one has its own unique challenges and rewards. Here are just a few of the most popular ways to get into photography:

1. Going to Photography School
One of the most popular ways to get into photography is by going to photography school. This can be a great option if you want to learn from some of the best photographers in the world and get a solid foundation in photography. However, it can also be a very expensive option, and you may not always have the time or money to commit to it.

2. Working as an Assistant to a Photographer
Another popular way to get into photography is by working as an assistant to an established photographer. This can be a great way to learn the ropes and get some real-world experience under your belt. However, it can also be a very competitive field, and you may not always be able to find a position.

3. Learning on Your Own
One of the most rewarding ways to get into photography is by learning on your own. This requires a lot of dedication and hard work, but it can be very rewarding. You’ll be able to learn at your own pace and tailor your learning experience to your own needs and interests.

Self-study: Learning about photography through books, websites, and online courses.

If you’re not sure whether photography is the right career for you, or you’re short on time and money, self-study might be the best route. There are many excellent books, websites, and online courses available that can teach you the basics of photography. You can also find a wealth of information on specific topics, such as portrait photography or landscape photography.

One advantage of self-study is that you can learn at your own pace and focus on the topics that interest you the most. You can also save money by using free or low-cost resources. However, it can be difficult to get feedback on your work, and you may not have access to certain types of equipment or software.

Assisting: Working as an assistant to a professional photographer to learn the ropes.

Assisting: Working as an assistant to a professional photographer to learn the ropes.

Apprenticeship: Similar to an assisting position, but with a set time period and a written agreement outlining the responsibilities of both parties and the expectations for the apprentice upon completion of the program.

Photography school: Attending classes at a post-secondary institution that offers photography programs. Credentials obtained through these programs can range from a Certificate or Diploma to an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree.

Attending a photography school: Getting a formal education in photography from an accredited institution.

There are many schools that offer accredited photography programs. A quick Google search will help you find some in your area. These programs generally last two to four years, and they will give you a broad education in the field of photography. You’ll learn about the history of photography, how to use different cameras and other equipment, darkroom techniques, digital post-processing, and more.

If you’re serious about making a career out of photography, getting a formal education from an accredited institution is a great option. It will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in the field.

Working in a related field: Getting experience in a related field such as graphic design or web development.

Working in a related field: Getting experience in a related field such as graphic design or web development can help you develop an understanding of the technical side of photography and give you an edge when applying for photography jobs.

Studying photography: Formal education can give you a solid foundation in the technical and artistic aspects of photography, and may be required for some jobs.

Apprentice/assistant positions: Working as an assistant to a professional photographer is a great way to learn on the job, get industry exposure and start making industry contacts.

Entering contests and competitions: Showcasing your work to a wider audience and potentially winning prizes.

There are many photography contests and competitions available to both amateur and professional photographers. Many of these competitions are open to anyone who wishes to enter, while others may have specific requirements such as age, geographical location or subject matter. Winning one of these competitions can help to increase your visibility as a photographer and may also result in prizes or other benefits, such as publication in a magazine or online gallery.