|
|
|
Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/21/2009 9:47:48 PM
Posts: 330,
Visits: 664
|
|
| Well, I'm seventeen - going to be a senior in high school this fall, and as much as I don't want too; I need to really start to think of what I was to pursue - not for my life, but just to learn in college. By all my family I'm pushed very forcefully to go into the fine art for my graphite and charcole drawings - but simply put it, I don't want to live by my drawings (http://bucs3191.deviantart.com/). I may do a couple commissions every once and a while, but I don't want it to be my career. I really would like to be related in the horse industry somehow (as would any horse enthusiast), and as I learn more about photography and am going to more shows simply to photographs girls at my barn, the more I'm really thinking about maybe trying to pursue a 'career' in equine photography. Maybe not as a seven-days-a-week job, as you have to be amazingly good and social to make enough money to do that, but just a weekend thing (though if it was my way photography would be my job, but I just don't see that happening). Not an equine photographer like Mark J. Barrett who photographs for calenders (though that would be amazing), but the photographers you find at you horse shows that sell their prints to families and riders, and from there maybe could have photoshots of horses on the lead or at liberty - portraits of horse and owner, ect. If you'd like - here my current photo hosting website so you can maybe judge my 'skill'; http://www.flickr.com/photos/megafleetphotography/. But my question, is how in the world would you get into that kind of thing? I know in college I will be taking some sort of business course, simply because all of my options that I've pondered (from fine arts to graphic design to photography) are all small business oriented. Beyond that for my (hopefully) future barn I would want to take general equine courses, like anatomy, nutition, ect. Another thing, now that I'm talking about college, that a multitude of people have urged me to look at is barn management. I love cleaning/orginizing/running barns - making them more effecient and cost effective as well as most pleasant for the horses. The recent barn that I moved to has felt the effects my OCD 'anal-retentivness' for the better. All of the stall doors have little charts that I made up in excel so the barn owner (who can't always supervise 24/7) can see whats been done in the stall cleaning wise. I've cleaned little nooks and crannies like the loft (which was previously filled with old barn broken junk, and now has hay stored in it) and tack room. What I'm asking is, is it worth my time, effort, and money investing in an college education for equine management or photography (equine) and are there really and job opportunities, or would it just be a dream of mine? I know that I could if I really was lucky or good, but I'm talking about reality - if it is obtainable, what are some suggested coarses or preps that I should look into for college. And good equine colleges you can think of, I live in Iowa (don't say ISU) so that just gives you a home location. Thanks, and sorry for the novel! -Megafleet
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/23/2009 3:07:07 PM
Posts: 1,924,
Visits: 59,554
|
|
| I think this would be great. I am very good at photography, and have been entering many photocontest. I think it would be an amazing career.
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/6/2009 11:00:53 PM
Posts: 311,
Visits: 443
|
|
I'm 17 and going to be a senior too, so I know what it's like. I'm having a bit of the same problem =P
let me start off by saying that I think your drawings are very very good, but i understand what you mean by not wanting to make a living off of it. It would kind of stink to be stuck at an easel or in a chair at a counter all day long just drawing!
I like your photography too, although I do see a few things that I think can be improved upon, but that will all come with time (and I'm not a photography expert either =P) Photography, however, is a very difficult field to get a well-paying job in. Your idea of having it as a side job though is perfectly fine. I think it would be a very fun job to have!
As for barn management, it sounds like you'd have a great time, and there are plenty of barns out there that need good managers!
As for schools, the most equine-focused college I've seen is Otterbein College (it's in Ohio). They even offer Equine Business and Facility Management as one of their majors. They have a wonderfully enormous new equine complex being built too. It's definitely a place to look into for anyone aspiring to major in something equine.
Heaven is high and earth wide. If you ride three feet higher above the ground than other men, you will know what that means. ~Rudolf C. Binding
There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse. ~Robert Smith Surtees
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/17/2008 5:34:00 AM
Posts: 47,
Visits: 55
|
|
All I can say is that you have a very special gift for drawing and photography. I think that you should keep doing art on the side- no matter what career you choose. I'm an art nut and trust me- you've got talent. However, the art field is super hard to break into and it might be difficult to get a career in that. I think that being a barn manager sounds like a wonderful job for you. You seem to know quite well what you're doing, and it sounds like you're already doing a great job with it. Some people don't have the management skills for a job like that, but it definately sounds like something you could do easily. There are lots of schools that have barn management programs (many in NY) and you may or may not benefit from going to college to take a course like that. I think that you'll do fine whatever you choose to do, and best of luck
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/11/2008 6:38:27 AM
Posts: 1,001,
Visits: 1,400
|
|
My computer is a bit wonky and won't let me view Flickr, but your drawings are great. I understand completely though not wanting that to be your career, especially if you're like me and you draw to get your mind off of things, or when inspiration strikes, and you just can't force that.
I think if you're really interested in barn management, go for it! And photography on the side sounds great. I know several people in highschool who take photos at shows and events, as well as for any of their friends that want them and of their own horses. They make a nice bit of pocket change, to say the least, and if you're really gun-ho about improving and fine-tuning, I'm sure you could make a fun little side-job off of it. It's certainly what I want to do once I get my hands on something better than my dinky point-and-shoot. Good luck, whatever you do!
deviantArt. - LiveJournal
C.B., with Sassy and Kando.
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/6/2009 8:27:22 PM
Posts: 302,
Visits: 486
|
|
I'm crazy about your horse watercolors. I would buy them in a heartbeat.
Do what makes you happy. If you want to be a photographer, then do that. You could start part time and then see how it goes. Look in your area for any photography studios and see if they will employ you/give you tips. Even if it's a "glamor shots" type place, you will still learn tons about the industry and give yourself a good leg up.
============================ 
*~Whiskey~*
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/19/2008 7:30:34 PM
Posts: 1,076,
Visits: 1,232
|
|
| follow your heart. as cleich`e as it sounds, life is too short for you not to take risks and have fun if you want 2 be practical, take a buissness class or two that way u have a fall back
bye bye peoples. i'm outta here. i may come back time to time, to check in, but maybe not. so bye ppls
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/19/2008 1:31:08 PM
Posts: 96,
Visits: 145
|
|
You do VERY well in both fields. But I would not recommend going to college and majoring in photography. Because generally they require some journalism classes as well. Many pro photographers that is what they do they also write many of their own articles and such. I would recommend getting a business degree (and do a few photo classes on the side or just minor in it). That would give you MANY more options in careers. Especially since you only mentioned that you would want to do it as a side thing. Which is smart because it is VERY difficult to go pro.
You also mentioned how you would get started. Well that is what I have been doing recently. You need to build up a portfolio to show customers. So start small. Take pictures for people at your barn. Does your barn put on any shows of its own? If so take the pictures for that which will broaden your horizons. Once you get a GOOD portfolio built up put adds up at your local tack stores about your services, and pricing start CHEAP. Don't expect to get paid $200+ for visit and photos on top of that. Keep your prices low. That will really get you started. Once you get a good customer clientele then you can raise your prices and broaden your horizons.
And if you don't want to stay just local. Submit your photos to various magazines and other related horse publications and contests. You get paid well and it gets you out there. Then when you try and sell your pictures you can add that into your resume and experience.
I have already had one of my pictures appear in Practical Horseman and I photograph for my stables winter series. It has gotten me many customers.
I hope that this advice helps you.
My critters:
Dingo - 2 year old Blue Healer
Pilot - 11 year old Quarab
Luna - 6 year old cat
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/6/2008 8:31:38 AM
Posts: 76,
Visits: 102
|
|
I just wanted to say that your drawings are amazing!! And I understand wanting to do something you love!
~Riding is not a sport, it is a passion. If you do not share the passion, you do not know the sport, and therefore are wasting your time.~ 
|
|
|
|