Key takeaways
- A Bachelor of Fine Arts online is ideal for aspiring photographers who want to build expertise in fine art photography.
- The program is designed for aspiring artists wishing to refine their artistic vision.
- Pursuing art schools’ online programs is a cost-efficient option for aspiring professional photographers.
- A Bachelor of Fine Arts online from an accredited institute offers many benefits, including learning flexibility, convenience, and the ability to complete the program at an accelerated pace.
- Arizona State University and the Academy of Art University offer the best online fine art photography bachelor’s.
- Fort Hays State University offers an affordable online fine art photography program.
- The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design offers an excellent online photography program designed to train aspiring photographers into professionals.
Photography is one of the most versatile fields, combining technicalities and art in one. It is also one of the most diverse fields out there, providing ample room for creativity and exploration. However, some types of photography offer greater room for experimentation than others. Whether you are a hobbyist or an aspiring professional photographer, a photography degree, specifically fine art photography is ideal for you if you want to enhance your creativity and truly unlock your artistic capabilities using photography as a medium.
Want to know the cherry on top? You don’t have to enroll in expensive traditional photography programs; you can pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts online. Several amazing US colleges and universities offer online programs to help you develop into the photographer you’ve always wanted to be as easily as possible.
What is fine art photography?
Fine art photography is a type of photography that focuses primarily on artistic expression using the camera vessel. Unlike other forms of photography, fine art photography is all about conveying emotions, messages, or ideas through photographic works. It’s not about documenting history, political or social movements, culture, or memories, nor is it about capturing news events, or images for advertisements or commercial purposes; fine art photography is all about creating art.
A key focus of fine art photography is on the aesthetic vision. So, as an aspiring fine art photographer, you should consider exploring fine arts degrees online to learn the essential skills needed to lead a successful career. You should look for online art degrees that focus on developing an aesthetic sense, such as composition, color, lighting, texture, and creative expression.
The emphasis on creativity is what sets fine art photography apart from other types of photography. You should only consider online art programs that focus on experiential learning, constructive criticism, and feature faculty with substantial professional experience. The more you get to practice, the more you will learn.
Moreover, with the help of guidance from industry professionals, you can identify your mistakes and refine your work and technique to evolve into the photographer you aspire to be. However, not everyone has the time or the liberty to enroll in a traditional fine art photography program. If you are looking for affordability and flexibility, consider an online BFA degree with a concentration in photography.
List of US colleges offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts online
The online education industry is growing fast to keep up with the demand for online art degree programs. While that is a good thing, it is also a cause for concern, as among the many available online art and design schools, not all are good online art schools. Thus, finding accredited online art colleges is absolutely essential, especially when pursuing an online art and design degree. An accreditation is more of a testament to the quality of education that online art degree programs provide to students.
Related: Is a digital online photography degree worth it?
Here are some amazing US colleges offering online art degrees accredited.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design offers an online digital photography degree. The program is designed to equip aspiring professional photographers with the photography skills and business acumen needed to establish themselves as professionals in a highly competitive job market. Whether you want to obtain fine art photography jobs or start your own photography business, the RMCAD will teach you all you need to know to succeed in your photography career.
Here, you will learn a variety of skills, including visual storytelling, lighting, cinematography, videography, post-production, marketing, business operations, and more. The program features a heavy focus on experiential learning through projects, competitions, apprenticeships, and more. You will be provided multiple opportunities to learn and develop a professional portfolio, which will enable you to become eligible for various photography jobs.
Related: How to land contract photography jobs?
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Denver, Colorado | 100% | 55.3% | $740 per credit |
Fort Hays State University
If you are looking for affordable, accredited online art schools, Fort Hays University is the one for you. The university offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Photography. The program offers a well-rounded education in the field of fine arts. Here, students not only learn photography, but they also learn painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, graphic design, and other art forms, which truly enables them to develop their artistic vision.
Another key feature of the BFA in photography program at Fort Hays is the program’s heavy focus on practical work and building industry experience. Thus, industry collaborations are an integral part of the learning curriculum. Fort Hays offers all you need to become a professional photographer, from professional guidance and mentorship to easy access to apprenticeships and network-building opportunities.
With a degree from Fort Hays, you will be prepared for everything from photography jobs to career as freelance photographer.
Related: Tips to succeed as a freelance photographer
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Hays, Kansas | 91.8% | 67.9% | $5,633 in-state
$16,811 out-of-state |
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is one of the best online digital art schools, offering an amazing fine arts degree with a concentration in Digital Photography. Through the program, you will learn contemporary best practices in the field of digital photography. Moreover, the program focuses on developing each student’s artistic vision. Therefore, you will learn expressive and creative forms of digital photography through a blended curriculum.
What sets the program apart is the fact that it is taught by industry professionals and world-class photographers who bring their personal experiences to the classroom. They have designed the curriculum to include a blend of technique, aesthetics, and concept. Students engage in a variety of classroom activities and projects and obtain constructive criticism and feedback on their work for a holistic learning experience.
Moreover, you will also learn how to use the latest digital technologies and tools to produce astounding photographic works. It is one of the best online art schools for aspiring fine art photographers.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Tempe, Arizona | 64% | 37% | $7,496 in-state
$14,957 out-of-state |
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University is another one of the renowned online colleges for art and design. The university offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography that might even be better than that offered by Arizona State University for aspiring fine art photographers. Firstly, the Academy of Art University is one of the best art schools online. Moreover, the program it offers is specifically designed for aspiring artists, thus it features a heavy focus on creativity and building a workflow and process that enables an artist to focus on artistic expression without worrying about technicalities as they come naturally.
Here, you will undertake courses covering a diverse range of topics such as Quality of Lighting, Visualization, Photography Principles and Techniques, Concept Project, and so on. Through a blend of theoretical and practical learning experiences, you will develop skills such as lighting skills, digital imaging, camera capture skills, professional readiness, and so on.
Moreover, learning at the Academy of Art University extends beyond the classroom. Here, students benefit from collaborations, mentorship opportunities, internships, study abroad programs, student club activities, and so much more. So, if you are looking for the best online art colleges, this is a great option for you.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| San Francisco, California | 100% | 7% | $28,024 |
Why pursue an online art degree?
Now we come to the million-dollar question. Why consider getting an online art school degree? When it comes to practical and skill-based fields such as photography, an online studio art degree may not seem like the best option. However, thanks to evolving digital technologies, the online learning experience is no longer any less than an on-campus learning experience. So, here are just a few reasons why you should consider pursuing a photography major in a visual arts degree online.
- Online programs are much more affordable than on-campus programs, as the tuition cost makes up the entirety of the cost of attendance.
- Art colleges online offer students greater learning flexibility in terms of learning schedule and timeline.
- You can complete an art online education at an accelerated pace as long as you are comfortable with it.
- The learning curriculum for online students is the same as that of on-campus students.
- You can study the arts online from anywhere in the world, as you do not need a visa to attend an arts institute online.
Become a fine art photographer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts online!
If you aspire to pursue photography as a profession, there are several photography programs that you can pursue. But if you want to be able to build technique, harness creativity, and develop a unique artistic expression, a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in photography is for you. Through the program, you will learn about the creative arts in detail, learn to translate artistic vision into photographs, and develop a strong portfolio that makes entering the professional field effortless.
If you want additional flexibility, are looking for affordability, and convenience, consider a Bachelor of Fine Arts online. By opting for an arts institute online, you get all the benefits of a traditional fine arts degree with some additional ones. Moreover, you are in charge of your own learning schedule, which makes it an even more ideal option, especially for working professionals.