There’s no shortage of photography knowledge out there. From the countless tutorials on YouTube to detailed blog posts like the ones right here, you could spend a lifetime learning about aperture, shutter speed, and sensor sizes — all without ever stepping foot in a classroom. With so many free and low-cost resources available online, it’s fair to ask: does it really make sense to go to school for photography anymore?

As someone who holds degrees in fine art and studio art photography, but also spends a lot of time online absorbing new techniques and tools, I’ve seen both sides of the learning experience. Let’s dive into the debate.

The Case for Photography School

Structure and Focus

One of the biggest advantages of a formal photography education is structure. When you enroll in a program, your time is focused, your path is laid out, and your job is to learn. Life has a way of pulling your attention in every direction, school fights against that. It says: “Here, just focus on this craft.”

Mentorship Matters

There’s something powerful about learning directly from someone who’s been doing this longer than you,  someone who knows the technical side and can also offer real-world advice. My mentors in school taught me just as much about mindset and process as they did about lighting ratios and lens choices. They pushed me to grow, even when I didn’t want to hear it.

Your Community of Creatives

Being surrounded by other people who are just as passionate about photography as you are? That’s invaluable. You challenge each other, support each other, and share ideas that you wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. It’s the kind of creative energy that can’t be replicated by watching videos alone.

The Power of Feedback

Critique sessions might be the most humbling — and most important part of a formal education. You learn how to take feedback without falling apart, and more importantly, how to use it to sharpen your vision. You stop chasing “perfect” and start chasing “purposeful.”

Foundations That Matter

Manual mode can be intimidating. Exposure compensation, depth of field, white balance — they’re not always intuitive. Having a dedicated class to walk you through these concepts (and answer your 100 questions in real-time) can make all the difference. It gives you the confidence to get out of auto and take control of your images.

Discovering New Passions

Here’s something that surprised me: some of my favorite techniques came from assignments I didn’t even want to do. I fell in love with alternative processes like cyanotypes and albumen printing when I was “forced” to try them in class. Now, I blend those processes with digital technology, creating pieces that bridge old school and new tech photography.

Shooting the Same Thing — Differently

There was one assignment that required me to photograph a park bench every week for an entire semester. At first, I thought: “This is a joke, right?” But by the end, I was using light, shadow, color, and composition in ways I’d never explored. That simple bench taught me how to see — and that’s something that still influences my work today.

The Case Against Photography School

It’s Expensive

There’s no sugarcoating this — art school can cost a lot. Tuition, gear, supplies, printing fees… it adds up fast. For many, that alone makes it a non-starter.

It Takes Time

Committing to a multi-year program is no small thing. You’re not just learning photography — you’re juggling other classes, deadlines, critiques, and projects. If you’re trying to work or raise a family, that time commitment might be too much.

Learn at Your Own Pace

Online resources let you cherry-pick exactly what you want to learn, when you want to learn it. You can binge tutorials on Lightroom one week and shoot astrophotography the next — no prerequisites, no waiting for semester breaks.

No Homework, No Lectures

Some people learn best by doing, not by writing term papers about Henri Cartier-Bresson. If the thought of sitting through long lectures or writing artist statements makes your eyes glaze over, you might prefer a self-directed approach.

The “Just Shoot” Mentality

There’s truth to the idea that the best way to learn photography is to take a lot of photos. Trial and error can teach you more than any textbook ever will. In the age of digital cameras, you’re free to make mistakes without burning through a roll of film.

You Might Already Be Good

If your friends and family are constantly raving about your work, it’s tempting to say, “Why go to school?” And sure, some legendary photographers never studied formally. They taught themselves, built portfolios, and let their work speak for itself.

So… What’s Right for You?

The truth is, both paths can work. In fact, the most successful photographers I know blend them. They may have studied formally, but they also keep learning through YouTube channels, online communities, and personal projects.

Ask yourself:

• Do I thrive in a structured environment, or do I prefer learning on my own?
• Do I want to explore all facets of photography, or just improve my skills in a specific niche?
• Am I willing to accept critique and grow from it?
• Do I want a career in photography, or is this just a passion project?

There’s no shame in either answer. But be honest with yourself.

What Worked for Me

For me, school was the right choice. It introduced me to people, processes, and perspectives I never would have found on my own. It taught me to think critically about my work and gave me the foundation to explore new techniques, including the tactile photography work I do today.

But I still learn from YouTube. I still read articles and try new gear based on what other photographers are sharing online. Formal education didn’t replace that — it enhanced it.

So whether you’re in a classroom, on YouTube, or shooting solo in a park somewhere — keep learning. Stay curious. And most importantly, keep shooting.

Did you learn photography in school? what was your experience? what would you do if you had to do it all over again? Feel free to drop me a message here or on my socials linked below.