Career direction doing
something you love

Photography is a powerful means of visual communication in both commercial art and fine art applications. The Academy’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography degree prepares graduates to work in the professional photography field with a diverse set of skills, knowledge, and practices that will enable them to create meaningful images for today’s society. The curriculum offers students opportunities for exploration in the commercial and fine art aspects of the photographic industry with a combination of intensive photography studio experience and courses in drawing, design, and web design that fosters artistic growth and prepares them for work as professional photographers. Student progress is demonstrated by the ability to apply elements of composition in the rendition of three-dimensional space and by the skillful use of appropriate photographic tools and techniques in the creation of persuasive photographic works.

Students learn to apply practices introduced in the foundation program, such as color theory, perspective rendering, and two-dimensional design to the study of photography. Students develop the ability to correctly expose and process photographic film with small, medium, and large-format cameras; to use a darkroom; to operate industry-standard flash and tungsten lighting equipment; to devise strategies that involve community engagement and cooperation beyond the classroom for documentary and architectural location projects; to work collaboratively on assignments that reflect workplace production values; to animate still photographs and to incorporate edited video and sound recordings in the production of video programs. Throughout the process, students develop the confidence to operate a variety of digital cameras and employ computer hardware and software to archive, appraise and manipulate digital images.

The faculty brings experience as professionals to the classroom and creates challenging coursework modeled on industry practice. Students begin to assemble a portfolio of their work starting with their first photography studio and continue to refine their collection as they progress through the program. Finally, students plan and implement a dedicated website design to display their collection of work.

Photography Outcomes

Upon completion, students will be able to:

1. Create a body of work that applies traditional and digital photographic techniques, processes, and concepts.
2. Utilize a range of imaging software, photographic hardware, lighting equipment, and darkroom techniques for fine art or commercial photography.
3. Prepare photographic files for a range of industry applications.
4. Plan and execute all stages of a photo commission.
5. Manage a digital photographic workflow to facilitate deadlines with multiple projects.
6. Apply the ethical guidelines of the professional community.