The Lens You Learn Through: Schooled vs. Self-Taught Photography
As a self-taught photographer, I’ve thought a lot about the debate: do you need to go to school to be a great photographer, or can you figure it out on your own? Honestly, I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer. Both paths have their strengths, and at the end of the day, it’s about how you find and develop your style.
Schooled photographers often get a strong foundation. They learn the technical stuff—lighting, composition, editing—but there’s a trade-off. Everyone in a program is learning the same thing, which can lead to a lot of similar-looking work. Teachers also naturally influence their students. They mean well, but sometimes their guidance steers people away from their own vision. To me, photography is about capturing your perspective, not how someone else thinks your photos should look. And in school, because you’re graded, there’s a tendency to play it safe. You stick to what works rather than trying something risky or unconventional.
That said, I have nothing but respect for schooled photographers. Many of my closest photographer friends went that route, and I’ve learned so much from them. We bounce ideas off each other, share different perspectives, and inspire one another to try new things. That kind of collaboration is one of my favorite parts of being in this field.
For me, being self-taught meant figuring it all out through trial and error. I didn’t have a professor showing me the ropes, so I relied on instinct, YouTube tutorials, and just shooting nonstop. Without someone telling me what to do, I had the freedom to explore and create what felt right. A lot of the time, I didn’t even know there were rules to follow, and I think that helped me develop my own style. My work comes from my experiences—surfing, traveling, meeting people—not from what a textbook says.
Of course, the self-taught path has its challenges. Learning the technical side takes longer without formal instruction, but for me, the process of figuring it out has been part of the journey. It’s taught me to trust my instincts and embrace what makes my work unique.
What I’ve realized is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re schooled or self-taught. What matters is the work you create and how it connects with people. No one’s asking if you learned from a professor or a YouTube video—they just care about how your photos make them feel.
For me, it’s about staying true to my vision while learning from the people around me. My friends who went the formal route bring so much insight and technique to the table, and we all push each other to grow. At the end of the day, there’s no one right way to become a photographer. It’s about creating from the heart, trusting your instincts, and telling your story through your lens.
