Final Thoughts: Hallmark Institute of Photography

These are some final thoughts I have about the school itself. You've heard how I felt about the instructors, and just like then, this is all personal experience and views. It's always best to form your own opinions in the end, but this is what I felt.

Before I even begin though, I want to say this. Knowing what I do now, I still would have attended Hallmark. Even though I failed (technically), and had a lot of struggles. However! I don't know that I would have attended straight out of High School. I think I would have waited two years until my 20th birthday, gotten some real world experience and saved up a bit more, and then attended. Going right out of High School was nice, and it can work, I just don't think it was a good decision on my part with everything that was going on in my family and life.

That being said, let's get into it. We'll go from bad to good.

The Cons:
One of the biggest gripes I probably had, was that the instructor who assigned the photo shoot, didn't necessarily grade the photo shoot. So John Nordell, for example, would assign for you to go do the Photo Essay. And if you brought it to him, he might tell you that it's absolutely perfect. That what you did meets all requirements and expectations in his eyes. So you feel confident when you hand it in, because the instructor who assigned it gave you good remarks. But then when you get the graded assignment back, you see that it wasn't given full credit, and that it was because of technicalities in the portraits or something. And upon looking down you see that Rich Barnes, who is a portrait photographer and not a photojournalist, graded it. But that's how it is at Hallmark. One instructor hands it out, every instructor (pretty much) grades it. They just hand them out in sections. This was not liked, and I was echoed by my fellow classmates in this regard. We all felt that if the instructor assigned it, that instructor should grade it.

Another issue was getting in to see the instructors, and utilizing their knowledge. Because there are so few instructors compared to the number of students, this is no easy task. There were often lines waiting outside of doors in order to get in to see someone, and at the same time there were also students waiting in studios for help with their shoots. So any given instructor would be trying to help those in line, grade assignments, and help out in studio. Preferably all at once, because they were in high demand. I tended to stay away from instructors when they had the long lines, and go find someone else who wasn't busy, because I'm very bad at waiting in line when I have other things to do.

The Open House, as I'm sure you're aware already from a previous entry, was not a favourite event either. It wouldn't have been bad if we hadn't been used as janitors, and refused food until after it was over. We understood that we should tidy up tables and chairs, and hang the decorations ourselves, but what was not liked was that we were washing windows, dishes, cleaning the fridges out, dusting, sweeping, and generally being treated like custodians. That took it a bit far, and then when we were told that we must arrive by noon the day of, and we'd be there until probably 5pm cleaning up afterwards to get ready for school Monday, and that we couldn't eat any of the catered food that whole time, well, we were pissed. It would have been one thing if we weren't sure we'd have enough, but it was catered. What also failed miserably were some of the committees, like the one I was on, that basically did nothing because people chose to not utilize the service being offered.

If you attend Hallmark, also be ready to relearn anything you already know in Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, and Dreamweaver. They don't figure out where anyones' skills are regarding any of these programs, and so it's all mixed up. Many felt it would have been a better idea if they had separated our groups based on where our skill level was in Photoshop (since that was the main program taught), so that the more advanced users could be helped out with more advanced techniques, and not have to snooze through the simple stuff that had to be gone over several times for those who weren't as technologically adept. It was also a general feeling that this would have allowed for those that needed more help with Photoshop, to get it while in class. It can be understood that they wanted uniform teaching, but that really just doesn't seem fair to those who are also paying a lot of money to be at Hallmark and are just being retaught things they already know.

Final Portfolio Review was an issue to some too. It's a lot of stress, and can be very publicly humiliating because that camera zooms right in on you for all attending to see when you're up on stage and they announce if you pass or fail. There's also the problem that the judges are brought in not really knowing what they're to be looking for, and depending on the day will effect how they grade. One day they might be more lenient than another. Due to the fact that people traveled so far to see the student they supported graduate, there was a general feeling that those who went to re-review shouldn't have to wait until the last minute to know if they would pass. That, and it was felt there should have been more time for those in re-review to fix their work. One of those probably could have been done if Portfolio Reviews were started one week sooner.

I also didn't like that sometimes the whole truth didn't seem to be given to you. And I say this speaking from when I took my leave of absence. It was to my understanding that everything would be taken care of, because that's what Tammy said. And we went over the speech thing, and I knew I'd probably have to make it up because you do have to do all three. However, I was under the impression that because I was taking this leave, and because I had the doctor's note and all, that if the speech couldn't be gotten to, then it wouldn't be an issue. Especially since the only thing that was going to effect us graduating was that portfolio anyways. I was dead wrong. And if there was anything that put a lot of undue stress on me (heard that they never had to deliver the speech anyways), it was that. As if the final portfolio wasn't enough to worry about, and then re-review on top of that. So head my warning, double check on everything that's said to you, just in case.

The guest lecturer series also goes on for too long. During the time that we were having them, a lot would have rather been in the studios working on completing their final portfolio. A few would have been nice, and were, but after a while it started to sound like they were all saying the same thing. Personally, I felt that we needed a morale booster closer to the end, and we should have had another alumni roundtable because hearing from graduates who made it into the field is closer to us.

The Pros:
The thing that sticks out best in my mind, were all the kinds of photography and opportunities afforded to you throughout the program. It might only have been ten months, but during that time you met a lot of incredible people, were given a shot at aerial photography, could take side-jobs for pay in the field, got to assist, went to NYC (I skipped, personally), had a staff that actually worked in what they taught, had both professional portrait and commercial studios to work with, equipment on loan, ability to learn a view camera and a medium format camera, and probably a lot more that I'm forgetting. But the doors this opens for you are incredible! You're able to try so many new things that it becomes difficult to decide what you want to specialize in because there are now so many choices.

Hallmark is also willing to work with you after you've graduated. Even if it's 30 years down the road and you need a new job, they're still going to be there for you. Because they actually care about their alumni. Not a lot of colleges can boast that.

Tammy is also, supposedly, available 24/7 to you. There were times I couldn't get a hold of her, but she's human too so she gets benefit of the doubt. However, the effort and thought is there, and it's not something you're going to be offered at your basic college. You can see their guidance counselor person during school hours, and that's pretty much it.

Because it's such a focused school (photography and business surrounding it), you don't have to take any general education courses. This makes it easier to focus on becoming a photographer, and doing what you love to do as a career.

Hallmark also debunks the myths of the starving artist, and explains how and why it happens. They give you hope and spark the light at the end of the tunnel that yes, you can make money as an artist. Because it's true.

The education they provide is also top-notch, and they know how to condense it. Where you might spend a semester, for example, learning Art History in a regular 2-year college, Hallmark condensed it down to four hours, done in two two-hour sessions. And we all learned what we needed to know. They're very serious about what they want to teach, and the profession, giving it that efficiency.

The instructors are also all great people. Some you may not get along with as well as others, but that's life. You're not always going to like everyone. And not everyone will like you. But you'll find a lot of support and help from the staff no matter what, and that means a lot when you're in such a situation.

Hallmark also allows for you to make important connections to professionals already out in the working world. These connections can/will help you to become a known and working photographer yourself. That's important, because you'll have $50,000-$60,000 in loans to payback to the college when you're done.

Breaking it down, Hallmark is also a fairly cheap school. Think about it. 8-5, Mon-Fri like a regular job makes that ten months actually two years worth of schooling. Meaning you're paying $25,000-$30,000 a year basically to attend the Harvard of photography. Thinking about it that way really makes it seem less costly, even though you sell your soul to the bank the day you sign that paper.

Overall:
So yes, even though Hallmark has some pretty big cons, it has a lot of pros to help make up for it. If you're not someone that does well under stress though, or who isn't serious about making Photography your career, this isn't the school for you. Hallmark is tough, and they crack the whip of technical expertise at the end of the year like you wouldn't believe. You will have three speeches you are required to do, and an Open House to put on. There will be a lot of guest lecturers that make you want to open a vein with how dull and lifeless they are, and others who will have you on the edge of your seat. There will be instructors you love, and others you can't stand. The curriculum is grueling, and it'll be like a parasite that eats at your brain because suddenly life is Hallmark. If you're even the slightest bit wary in your decision to attend, I advice you to think long and hard about it, because this is like the army. They're not going to take any shit, and they'll put you through basic training more times than you think you can hold out through. You'll want to severely harm someone, something, or yourself eventually. And if you have no confidence in yourself or your work, go get some. You're going to need it because even though the instructors and your classmates will help you out, in the end it comes down to if you have the conviction and mindset and determination to do it. And even then you may fall short due to things you didn't realize.

So if you think you're up for the challenge of your life, and think you've got what it takes, I recommend Hallmark with everything I am. But be prepared, because it doesn't matter what hardships life has thrown at you, Hallmark is going to be worse. Simply because it's ten months of the Hell, and stress, and demands. Not a brief second that goes away. But if you can make it through, you're going to have elevated yourself above the rest, and achieve things you never dreamed possible before.

Hallmark is amazing. And it was always like I was walking in a dream while attending, because I could never quite believe that I was doing it the whole time I was there. Absolutely amazing. And I wouldn't have decided otherwise for the world. But it was also Hell on Earth, and probably the most difficult life challenge I've ever gone through. I'm stronger for it, but had I not had an inner strength to begin with I would never have made it as far as I did. And I sincerely believe that had I waited a little bit, I would have graduated with flying colours.

So choose wisely boys and girls. And remember, Hallmark will change your life forever.