Analysis and Insights:

A common theme among my interviewees was that they learned the elements and mechanics of photography on their own using various internet sources, only about half of them actually sought some type of formal teaching/advice afterwards. The internet is still  a major source of knowledge even for those who have taken a class as it provides them with immediate help when troubleshooting their work and is usually the easiest way to find other photographers and photo examples. While everyone agrees the internet helps them in this way, most don’t feel it is something that can help them progress excessively in their photography skills and agree that they would much rather have a mentor, teacher or class to take then struggle on their own.

All interviewees were open to the possibilities of changing how someone learns the different aspects of photography. Surprisingly, buying equipment was either not on an interviewees radar, or it was something they invest in but was not essential to their learning. For the interviewees that get paid for their photography, either as a side job or a full blown business, equipment was essential to their future in photography being successful and had no problem constantly saving money for their next purchase and didn’t consider money an issue. One the flip side, the interviewees who are not currently making money from their photography and not planning to saw the coast of more equipment as more of an issue than an investment. Almost every interviewee was interested in a personal learning experience, like a mentor or someone who could collaborate with and teach them something. every interviewee was also set on finding an easier way to network their way up the ranks of the photography industry. All interviewees, no matter their level of talent or experience, are interested in expanding their collaborations and skill set in anyway possible that wasn’t too costly.