Hallmark Institute of Photography Info

<p>Could someone give some more info about Hallmark? I'm seriously looking into it and I even talked to the Enrollment Specialist today, but I'm curious about costs. She said tuition is about $57,000 (which if you compare 2 years worth condensed into 10 months, etc. it makes sense) but she also mentioned that covers the cost of supplies. I didn't think to ask when I was on the phone with her, but what all do supplies include? Does that include your camera, and what kind of camera(s) do they recommend? Also, I know they don't provide housing, but I'm curious as to the costs of living expenses on average in the area. Especially since you'll be in class all day, how do you work out a job and being able to pay for housing?<br /><br />From what I've seen and heard it's well worth the investment, but I want to be prepared. So if there's anyone who has experience with Hallmark, could you give some logistics please? Thanks!!</p>

<p>If you do a search, you will find a number of threads about Hallmark. But to give a brief answer to your questions... Hallmark provides you with a Mamiya medium format camera to use which includes a digital back. You do not get to keep this when you graduate. They do provide tripod, case, light meter and other items you do get to keep. They have DSLR's for you to use as well... Canon and Nikon. Again, you use these, not keep them. Housing rental in the area is anywhere between 500 - 1000/month depending on the place and how many people are living in it. I've been told by graduates that its best not to get a job while attending school.... you'll be putting in many 10 - 14 hour days with photography.</p>

<p>Thanks so much! Yeah I saw that there were other posts but most of them are from a couple years ago and I wanted to get some updated information since costs are frequently rising.</p>

<p>Okay so how do most people pay for rent/food/etc. while they're attending Hallmark? I guess that's one of my biggest concerns since it would be difficult to have a job while you're there.</p>

<p>Hi Lis,</p>

<p>It is a very good school but quite expensive. You could go to Brooks for 3 years for the same amount.</p>

<p>I've been associataed with 2 dozen colleges and universities under verious circumstances over the last 40 odd years. I suggest that you get a 2 year Professional Photography degree from a good Com. Col. (be sure that it is "Workforce Education", not "so called" Fine Art). </p>

<p>If you wish to go on from there, Brooks Inst., Art Center Col. of Design, or SVa. some of the best cc's are Austin CC (TX), SE Nevada, Hawkeye,, Daytona Beach, Santa Monica, MATC, Rocky Mountain, etc. The one university that I recommend for pro photography is Sourthern Illinois. </p>

<p>Lynn (click on my name to fint out about me) </p>

<p>Hey Lis!<br>

I've got a little bit of experience with Hallmark. I graduated in 2008 and my girlfriend graduated this year 2009. I think your other questions have been accurately answered by Kevin.<br>

In regards to Lynn's response. Yes, it is very expensive, but honestly...who wants to go to school for 3-4 years to learn photography? I don't know about the other schools she suggested and would reccomend checking them out anyhow, but Hallmark is definitely one of a kind. Commercial clients don't need to see a degree. Wedding couples don't care. Employers want to see post high school education and a kick ass resume. And guess what. You get that from Hallmark.<br>

Another part of that expensive tuition that you get is a network built up for more years than the school has been in business. You're introduced to photographers who work all around the world. You pay for that network.<br>

Post graduation is another big concern of most people. It's how much work and effort you put into your year at school and then doing the same when graduating. Follow up with the people you meet on guest lecture days. Email everyone in the industry and let them know you go/went to Hallmark. No, there is no job placement. But people are frequently contacting the school looking for people to do the jobs they need done.<br>

In one year, I've been published in WWE Kids Magazine, shot for the USTA at the Pilot Pen, had a photography internship at WWE, worked for next to nothing at Hallmark Imaging, sat on my rear, did a brochure for a local airport business, started taking pictures of private jets, and recently signed General Electric as a client....The thing is (after sounding all self righteous and stuff) I'm not the only one who is doing well... I'm not even one of the best, or most successful. People I graduated with have commercial clients in NY. BIG CLIENTS. Other people are booked allll summer with weddings. Portrait photographers doing business I wish I could get. Another graduate is outsourcing thousands of dollars of work because he doesn't have time to do everything he's been contacted for...ummmmm yeah...wish I could be on that train. That's just the class of 2008.<br>

I'm proud to be a graduate. I'm proud of the work I've been accomplished and am not affraid to share. I love Hallmark and all the people around it. Melissa and I proudly show our window sticker on the rear windshield of the car. It's a great school Lis. There's not a bad thing about it if you can get the money. I appologize for the long read and the cocky bit in between...Just needed to let you know that the program works and totally rocks!<br>

All the best. Please feel free to contact me with any other questions. Good luck!<br>

Taylor Greenwood</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hallmark seems to be a great school, but like everyone else I wonder if its worth $60k, guess the part that leaves a bad taste in my mouth is I dont even get to keep the cameras. So at the end of 10 months, I'll have a hugh student loan and will also have to find money to invest in equipment. For that amount we should get the cameras!</p>

<p>Hi Lis,<br />If you are in Massachusetts and looking to stay here (I am in MA), check out <a href="http://www.cdiabu.com/photography.php">CDIA</a>. They have a F/T (9 months) or P/T program (18 months). No, the campus is not as pretty as Hallmark's although you will spend half the money <strong>but not</strong> get half the education. You do get to keep your equipment in the end. I am graduating in September (doing P/T program) but have already done several pay gigs and had photos published. There are lots of options .. get your money's worth. Good luck in your search.<br />Leo</p>

<p>Hey Leo! what the cost of this program at CDIA, which is a better program Hallmark or CDIA?</p>

<p>Lis,<br>

Most students pay for the Hallmark experience through loans and savings. In addition to the tuition, figure another 15 - 20K for life expenses. This all depends on how you budget for daily living in addition to taking advantage of trips during breaks and purchasing various software, books or other items that you can get as a student.<br>

I've researched many different schools and compared costs and in the end, when <strong><em>everything</em> </strong> is considered, it all pretty much comes out the same.<br>

Brooks is cheaper by the year... but its a 4 year program so in the end, its more money... but, its a Bachelor's Degree to have in hand. Also remember that to get that Bachelor's degree, you'll be required to take classes that have nothing to do with photography... humanities courses, science courses, math, etc. This is true of all four year universities regardless of the degree you seek.<br>

CDIA is similar to Hallmark in that it has a short course photography program, and it too is cheaper tuition... but there are caveats. CDIA has a number of different educational programs... film making, digital animation, graphic arts... in addition to photography. This means the school's resources are spread out amongst those disciplines... It is not dedicated soley to photography. The program teaches you only digital photography strictly using DSLRs. You will not learn film, medium or large format photography. CDIA is a 9 month program that is pretty much part-time attendance. You do not attend classes all day, 5 days a week like you do at Hallmark.<br>

Like Hallmark, CDIA's faculty consists of proven working professionals, however they only teach part time. You will have an instructor for a week or two during the early portion of the program, then never see him/her again until near the end. Whereas, Hallmark's staff is contracted full time... they are there 40 hours a week, each week for 10 months and are available to you every day. I believe this builds a better teacher/student environment and enhances the learning process when your instructor can watch and evaluate your progress on a continuing basis.<br>

Sure, as Leo said, you get to keep your equipment when you graduate from CDIA... but you have to purchase all of it separate of tuition. CDIA supplies you with nothing. Like Hallmark, they do have equipment you can check out to use while in school, but their equipment vault pales in comparison to Hallmark's.<br>

NESOP is a two year program located in Boston that is cheaper in yearly tuition, but when you go for two years (while living in Boston), the total expense is the same or higher in the end. NESOP also focuses more on fine art than business.<br>

RIT and other programs are comparable to Brooks. They are longer programs offering BA degrees.<br>

I am not advocating one school over another and I think its rather naive and/or arrogant to claim one program is better than the other. Its like stating that a Nikon is better than a Canon or that Toyota is better than Honda. In the end, each program will give you the tools you need to be successful, just in their own particular format or style. A Chevrolet will get you just as far as a Lexus... the ride is just not as luxurious.<br>

Look at what your needs are and find the program that best suits those needs. Then ask yourself if you can afford that particular program and what you're wiliing to do to make it happen. Also remember that no matter what school you attend... for every graduate that is a success, there is a graduate who is a failure. This has nothing to do with the program, it has everything to do with the person.</p>

<p>Hey Lis,<br>

I posted something similar to your question about a year or more ago and now I can say I have graduated from Hallmark as a proud professional photographer. I couldn't be happier with my choice and whatever I have heard about Brooks or other institutes over the last eleven months, makes me even more glad that I chose Hallmark.<br>

I won't lie though, I gotta say it does suck to come out without a camera and there were definitely glitches in the program. But the good thing is that they are willing to listen to you and fix them. Paying 57k for ten months in my opinion is a lot more worth it than to keep paying through your nose for four years and then be heavily in debt for the rest of your young adult life. At least after we get out of Hallmark, we have a head start on paying back the loan. Housing can be very cheap if you pick the right place and living expenses are not outrageous living in a town like Turners Falls. I paid 630 to a landlord who was basically cheating us but you can definitely find a place for 500+ or 600 including utilities. However, you probably would not be able to juggle a job and school especially in the second half of the year. The first half you have to be in school everyday from 8-5 pm and when the second half comes around, class time gets cut in half but you'll be so busy running around all the time, a job would kill you. Besides, you're only going to be there for ten months, you will want to make use of every single moment you have in that school. Not only is equipment excellent, the community you have with your peers and instructors is invaluable. The instructors become mentors and friends who are more than willing to impart all their knowledge and spend time and effort with your cooperation and willingness. One of the best things I got out of being in Hallmark was the immediate and convenient access to people who could nurture me and give me useful and constructive criticism and that was what helped me improve drastically.<br>

I probably am not the best person to give you numbers and statistics, my brain holds figures as well as a sieve holds water but I will testify that if you are passionate about photography and making a career out of it, Hallmark is the best environment to place yourself in. I have no regrets and I feel equipped to do my job everyday because of it. <br>

All the best Lis!</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your input, everyone!<br>

I really like the idea of Hallmark because it sounds like it would help me become a successful, well-rounded photographer. Not that any other school wouldn't do that, but really my passion and heart are solely in photography and I personally am a person who needs to move fast paced. And I love the fact that Hallmark seems to cover every little logistic and aspect of what you need to be successful in the industry. Plus, even though it is an expensive school this is what I compare it to: I've been attending college for three years now, going into my fourth year and have spent the same amount of money in these 3 years that I would at Hallmark. However, I still don't have any hope of graduating for another couple years because there's so much extra stuff for me to do I'm basically getting nowhere and spending money doing it. Not only that, but by the time I would graduate from the college I'm currently attending I would still be nowhere near as prepared or ready to be a professional photographer as I would going to Hallmark, let alone have much hope of paying back my loans anytime soon after that. So for me, it would save me time and, believe it or not, money and from what I've heard from alumni, I believe that I'd actually feel confident that my preparation was worth it. I understand there are other, cheaper schools out there, but I feel like this would be the best choice for me personally. I mean, a school where I can eat, sleep, breath photography? As sick as it sounds, that's EXACTLY what I want! ;) I just want to focus on building my career without all the extra drawn-out fluff.</p>

<p>I really appreciate all the responses I've gotten! I have an interview in September and we'll see where that leads me. I'm sure all the other schools are great, but something is pulling me toward Hallmark.</p>

<p>Thanks again for your help! If my interview goes well, I may be contacting some of you alumni again!</p>

<p>". CDIA has a number of different educational programs... film making, digital animation, graphic arts... in addition to photography. This means the school's <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/#" target="_blank">resources</a> are spread out amongst those disciplines... It is not dedicated soley to photography. The program teaches you only digital photography strictly using DSLRs. You will not learn film, medium or large format photography. CDIA is a 9 month program that is pretty much part-time attendance. You do not attend classes all day, 5 days a week like you do at Hallmark."<br>

Kevin,<br>

I have to rebut you on a couple things here:<br>

The resources are specific for each discipline i.e. you won;t have a sound person teaching photography so I am not sure what the point was there. <br>

Yes, it is digital only, which is smart as the industry is basically headed that direction and most clients want digital files. Persoanlly, I had no desire to do film at this point. Take the film part out of Hallmark andf the course would be the same length or shorter than CDIA.<br>

As far as<em> </em>know, F/T students are there all day 5 days a week, so I am not sure how you are getting that FT runs like PT. PT is two nights (3 hours) a week plus every other Saturday (8 hours).<br>

TO leave Hallmark and have to go drop another $6k+ to buy your equioment again seems senseless to me.</p>

<p>Lis:</p>

<p>If you're already three years toward a regular degree, I'd suggest continuing down that road. A four-year degree may (not a guarantee. No guarantees in life) be a lot more valuable to you than a year at Hallmark.</p>

<p>If Hallmark costs $60k and you've spent that much already on your first 3 years, that means you're going to graduate $120k in debt. That's an insane amount of debt to have for no degree. At 5% interest over 15 years, that's almost $12,000 a year to pay just for student loans. The mean salary of photographers in May 2006 was $26,000.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos264.htm#earnings">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos264.htm#earnings</a></p>

<p>Eric</p>

<p>Eric,</p>

<p>I appreciate your input. :) But so far most of my schooling has not been in loans. So debt isn't necessarily my greatest concern right now. What I'm concerned about it whether I feel like the amount of money I'm spending is worth it and so far, I haven't felt that. I won't go into every little detail of my life that causes me to believe that this would be a good choice for me, but I've researched and looked at a lot of schools and this is what I feel would both prepare me the most and be worth the investment. And that's what I've heard from alumni as well. Thanks again!</p>

<p>Lis</p>