What are the best art schools in California to study photography ?

Question

I want to study photography and advertising and marketing. What schools would be best for that?

Answer 1

It depends entirely on what kind of photography you want to do.  If you want to do commercial photography, any state or UC is good.  If you have rich parents, try Brooks Institute.  If you want to do art, I suggest CalArts.  It's expensive, but amazing.  

Answer 2

Art Center does that, but they are different majors.

http://www.artcenter.edu

Brooks teaches photography and essential photo biz skills (including a some marketing)

http://www.brooks.edu

Answer 3

I'd recommend Brook's as well if you know FOR SURE that you are interested in photography.  If it's visual arts in general, then go to Art Center.

I can't say much about Art Center (as I did not attend), but at Brooks, there are many teachers there that also work on the side.  This allows you opportunities to assist & be in the thick of things.  When you assist for a professional that trusts you, they are much more open to teaching & showing you things.  I've assisted many photographers, but the teachers at Brooks gave me a lot of insight -- not just about photography, but also about the essentials of business, contracts, dealing with Art Directors, etc.  Brooks has added in recent years a little more emphasis on the advertising & marketing side of the curriculum.

If you are up for a road trip, I suggest you visit both schools & take a tour for yourself.  Naturally, they will showcase their strengths -- where you can see if you interests run in-line with what they offer.  You can also see the communities, since they will become your home for a couple years.

Brooks is very expensive.  In all fairness, partly because of tuition & supplies, but also because Santa Barbara is not a cheap place to live.  Something that many students do is attend Brooks for the 1st year or so -- as this is where you learn all of the important fundamentals.  In the 2nd & 3rd year, that is where you really learn to specialize within particular fields.  Many students leave Brooks at this time to cut their school loans in half.  After all, in photography clients care about your portfolio much more than a degree.

Finally, it doesn't hurt to take some advertising, marketing, & general business courses on the side as well.  Even the ones at your local community college will provide you with great starting information.