Fine Art Photography - degree/MFA "required"?

Hey guys,

Just wanted to ask if anybody here has experience selling fine art prints, and if so, has having, or not having, a degree affected you in any way (an MFA in fine art photography, more specifically)? I come from a filmmaking background, and have been shooting stills for a few years now. I'm fully aware that college is in no way a requirement for most careers within the industry. That said, I'm starting to lean towards fine art photography, and have read in a few places that not having an MFA can be problematic for a photographer when it comes to getting into certain galleries etc - especially in the initial stages. Yes, yes, there's a whole host of artists who have succeeded in this field without their piece of paper, but is "elitism" and "art snobbery" still common out there?

I understand that doing an MFA would be beneficial in various artistic ways, but to be honest, it's something I'd rather not do.

Simply put, for reasons aforementioned, I'd like to know if not having an MFA could hinder an aspiring fine art photographer further down the line.

Any help or advice much appreciated,
J