Some guidance needed..

[francongphotography]

Yeah I'm eighteen, and here in Canada, we are forced to do a graduation plan in order to graduate..so I pretty much have my life planned out for the next couple years..but I'm just not sure, you know..things can change quickly. But for sure, I value my education probably more than anything else..because education is everything in the society. However, I have one question, how can I possibly ask a pro-photographer to let me shoot with him like say during the summer? It's kinda..awkward, isn't it?

[Rocco]

Here's a secret.. Pro photographers are always open to having an assistant. Or as they call them "Voice Activated Light Stands". It's a mutually beneficial thing.

[francongphotography]

LOL. Dang. I should really start finding some opportunities in my area..and hopefully I will learn lots..

[ham]

I would change the "go to college/university" thing to "look for a career that isn't photography". A lot of jobs (at least here in the UK) are putting people with experience above those with a relevant degree, so I wouldn't tell you to get a degree if it's not what you'll need for your career choice.

But that's semantics, I think the point is, you can make money out of photography, and it's possible to make a career from it, but it's not a sure fire thing. Get yourself some qualifications which give you lots of options if you don't know what you want to do. I got a specialised degree and then regretted it when I realised there were no jobs in my area. Keep up photography as an outlet. What you learn with your camera in your hands is something additional to what you're learning at uni. You'll have more free time at uni to pursue it, probably less free money for gear, but master what you've got and kill two birds with one stone (degree, and 3 more years of shooting experience).

That's kinda what I'm doing. But I first picked up a camera in anger after uni, so I'm doing it whilst working. Working is paying the bills and saving for a house (like your degree, preparing me for the future), taking photographs is keeping me sane and seeing me improve.

[Dave Throgmartin]

If you go to college I'd highly recommend going into engineering, a medical field, or something else that puts you in a great position to get a job. It's sad to see too many people go to college and major in things that don't necessarily make themselves more employable (no offense intended to anyone, but a BA in philosophy is not likely to help you find a job in the rust belt).

There are certainly a lot of options. It sounds like you enjoy academics so college should be a good fit, but there's nothing wrong with skilled trades like electricians, plumbers, etc...

[Sean Setters]

Keep in mind that if you go to college, there is never a shortage of young, attractive women to take pictures of. It's a wonderful way to sharpen your [photographic] skills.

Just sayin'.

[Kayaker72]

Another thought, but in terms of selecting what you want to do, I wouldn't focus on "doing something that you love." I know people like to say that, but I've seen several people pursue a career is what they "love" and end up not liking the day in day out reality of the position. Ultimately, they end up somewhat disenchanted and, sometimes, having lost their "love." Instead, I would focus on picking a career that you are good at, find interesting, challenging, has room for you to grow and can support your lifestyle/family. I would focus on the day in day out of the career. For example, I am an environmental engineer and still really enjoy figuring out how to clean up contaminated soil and groundwater. I find that very interesting and challenging. However, most of my day is spent in meetings, managing budgets, coordinating people, writing proposals/reports, etc. There is nothing wrong with that and, in fact, I enjoy a lot of it. But the "love" part is the dessert at the end and the rest of it is the main course.

And I second what was said above, pick a career that has a market. I hear reports that trades are coming back. And I agree, there is nothing wrong with that (actually, some of my favorite people have chosen to emphasize their home life and family and have more of what I would call a "job" and less of a "career.") But a college degree in engineering or sciences tend to do well no matter the market, for instance track their unemployement stats against the national average...

Good luck....

Edit...yep, in case I didn't re-emphasize it, still feel the same way, go to college and avoid debt as much as possible.

[HDNitehawk]

I still stick by the first advice I gave you. Go to College.
It is easy to say pick a carrier that makes money first, but if work is a grind it is harder to succeed. Over the years I have enjoyed my carrier path, it is what I choose to do 32 years ago. It is not as fun as it once was, but it still has its moments.
Pick a carrier that you can be passionate about and in the end you will be a success. You only have one life to live; to some life is about money but looking back now some of the best times in my life were those when I had nothing.

If you really want to go in to photography there are other options other than opening a shop and doing portraits. Contact a university and see what opportunities there would be. Obviously since you can get a degree in photography, teaching could be one. I am sure there are many more.

Here is a local school that is highly respected:

http://www.okcu.edu/petree/visualarts/#

[francongphotography]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. My plan now is to get in a university and study economics/criminology. If that doesnt work out, then I guess I will have to enter some trades apprenticeship like electrician, etc. But yup, I've decided that education should be put on top of everything at the moment. And you're right, kayaker72, we don't always have to luck to do something that we are passionate about, but I really hope in sometime, I can find a career that I will love, so I will have to motivation to work for probably the next 4 or 5 decades. But anyways, thanks for all the comments, it really helped me to clear my mind. and ONE last thing, hopefully I can avoid debt..studying economics already taught me that it's a BAD thing, well at least for individual, and hopefully I can support myself in the next few years. (Luckily, my parents still support my living costs).