Expert: Erin Reid Coker - 10/22/2010

Question
I am on social security disability at age 31. Do you think it is worth $50,000 to go to the Art Institute? If so, What is the best slr camera I can buy? How long will the camera last(years?)Is the photography industry going to keep going or do you think it will fall off to some new technology?I dont have anything to do so is schooling worth my time and money. thanks

Answer
Thanks for the question and sorry for the delay here.  In my opinion it really all depends on what kind of photography you want to get into.  As far as newspapers, they are disappearing by the day which meant photojournalists are losing jobs as well.  Many smaller newspapers are even laying off photographers and just handing point and shoots to reporters which in most cases sacrifices quality.  After 12 years as a newspaper photographer and more recently, videographer as well I left in the spring to pursue wedding photography (shameless plug time, www.gallery9north.com)  Anyway, there are still photo jobs to be found it's just an extremely competitive market.  I mean, who wouldn't want to get paid to take photos?  It's a great job... most of the time.  I am not rich nor do I ever expect to be but being a photographer for me is just natural. It's all I am good at it seems and people for the most part appreciate when you put a big part of yourself into your work... it reflects on the type of person you are and want to be.  On the other spectrum there are tons of people who just want to be photographers and the camera companies have certainly catered to those parents who think they can get get the great action shots and what not.  

Technology wise, it's always improving.  I think if you go with a camera that you can grow with and into you'll be fine.  Check out the Canon 5D Mark II.  It's an amazing camera that's incredible in low light situations and also shoots great HD video.  Being that, there still is a learning curve and it's more about having the eye and being open minded enough to keep learning... keep seeing.  Keep up on the industry, what's new and what the latest trends are.  Certainly being 31 years old shouldn't deter you from chasing your dream.  It took me many years to break into the industry and I just refused to give up.  For me, I just knew what I wanted to do and I only have an Associated Degree.  Would more education have helped?  Most likely but at the time I wasn't exactly willing to go into debt.  For me it was more of an example of someone giving me a chance which is rare these days.  I certainly learned more on the job in one week that any amount of schooling could have taught.  

I am not sure exactly where you live but maybe community college is a good start.  Get your work rolling and get your name out in the community and by all means, don't give your work away for free.  Folks out there that are shooting for nothing are really affecting those like myself who deserve to be paid for putting the effort out there in their work.  I can't speak personally about the Art Institute sorry.  Best of luck!

Erin Reid Coker