Key Takeaways
- A digital photography school polishes skills and knowledge regarding photography for better career growth.
- The benefits of a bachelor’s degree in photography include access to the latest equipment and resources, feedback from professional photographers, and enhancement of photography portfolio.
- For the shortlisting of colleges, students must consider factors like location, tuition fees, campus size, extracurricular activities, and the weather.
- Some career opportunities for photography majors are camera operator, photographer, art manager, video editor, content producer, photo technician, etc.
- Students can improve their photography skills through practice and earning a bachelor’s degree in photography from renowned colleges in the US.
- Yale University, Bard College, University of Arizona, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and California Institute of the Arts are some college options for photography.
- According to research, the career growth in photography is 4.1% from 2022 to 2032.
- Photography majors learn about technical skills concerning lighting, tone, depth, colors, etc.
- Video editors work alongside editorial professionals to create ideal works of art,
- Researching digital photography classes by checking college websites to compare and contrast among universities plays an integral role.
Are you here because you have always liked taking photographs? Even though you do not own a DSLR or a digital camera? And you marvel at witnessing beautiful shots clicked by people on Instagram? If you enjoy taking photos and editing them, consider applying to digital photography schools in the US.
Apparently, till 2032 the photography career growth is approximately 4.1%. According to CareerExplorer, the United States will require more than 11,000 professional photographers, increasing digital photography jobs.
So, a bachelor’s degree in photography is beneficial for students interested in enhancing their photography and editing skills. Read this blog for degree advice and to learn about the rationale for attending digital photography school, shortlisting colleges in the US, job opportunities for photographers, and US colleges with photography degrees. So, let’s begin!
Why attend a digital photography school?
The following factors explore the advantages of digital photography schools in detail:
Accessibility to equipment
In the United States, most digital photography schools possess the latest equipment and technology. For example, the Harrington College of Design in Chicago has retina iMac Pros, a massive studio, and several kinds of equipment, software, and relevant resources. Hence, colleges in the US have upped their game by incorporating modern technology and equipment for higher success in their career.
Job opportunities
Photography majors benefit from attending digital photography courses. However, another advantage worth mentioning of colleges is the career counseling department. Most colleges have career services departments to assist students with the job-hunting process post-graduation.
Moreover, career counselors help students create and enhance resumes, the job interview process, and find internships and jobs relevant to their specialization.
Feedback from professionals
One of the most crucial advantages of attending a photography school is acquiring knowledge from experienced professionals. The digital photography school faculty possesses a sufficient amount of knowledge and skills. So, imagine getting taught by them!
Also, it is a great opportunity to ask professionals for constructive criticism to understand and improve the areas you lack. Generally, professors push students to ask for help to utilize the full potential of professors and facilities. They provide an understanding of the ongoing life as a professional photographer, enhancing student knowledge.
Holistic knowledge
The digital photography courses in college explore the kinds of photography and technical skills, such as depth, tone, lighting, and so on. Classes about the techniques and styles provide photography majors with an in-depth understanding of different areas of specialization, helping them with advanced photography courses. As a result, photography has several branches, such as:
- Portrait photography
- Editorial photography
- Architectural photography
- Product photography
- Photojournalism
- Landscape photography
Digital photography portfolio
The knowledge and skills acquired in college help students create exceptional portfolios for future success. Attaining a degree in photography is beneficial; a portfolio with remarkable photos leads to higher chances of finding lucrative jobs in photography.
Portfolios provide an idea to potential clients before hiring. If your work speaks to them, you get selected for the occasion. Colleges possess advantageous and informative resources and equipment for high-quality photographs.
What are the factors to consider when choosing colleges in the US?
Choosing a single college among several is not convenient. Where does one begin with the search? Which factors should be taken into consideration? Many questions can arise in a high-school student’s mind. For a clear idea about the shortlisting process of colleges in the United States, read the information below:
Tuition fees and financial assistance
First things first – students must check college websites for data and trends, tuition fees, and types of financial aid. Can you afford college? Do they provide scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities? It is integral for parents to find out whether they can manage the college expenses for 4 years.
Also, sometimes universities advertise that they offer full scholarship options; however, you cannot believe everything you read. Therefore, it is suggested that you apply to several colleges and choose late.
Area
There are several reasons for considering the location of a college. Take note of how long the commute from university to your house takes because long distances are time-consuming and expensive. Some questions to ask are – is the area safe? Are there any hospitals nearby if something happens? Is the neighborhood friendly?
Moreover, if the college is located in another country or city, you can check whether they offer online classes. Since COVID-19, many colleges in the US have added an online degree option for convenience.
Campus size
Generally, in the US, most universities have big campuses to accommodate several students, like Texas A&M University. However, some colleges, like Alaska Pacific University accept only a few applications.
Hence, students must choose between big and small universities. One of the perks of a college with fewer students is that you will get one-on-one attention from professors. On the other hand, colleges with more students result in better networking opportunities.
Weather
This factor may sound funny to you but it is crucial to consider the weather before selecting a college. If you cannot bear hot temperatures, snow, or chilly weather, make sure you shortlist colleges located in areas with balanced temperatures.
Students assume that temperature in the US is more or less similar everywhere; however, Alaska is considered the coldest, whereas Phoenix and Miami are among the hottest cities. Hence, remember this info before choosing a college.
Courses
Even though you may choose a program of preference, checking course catalogs on college websites, like Texas State University’s, is integral. This is significant because students have more than one area of interest; therefore, research concerning courses helps them choose options for free electives.
Furthermore, course catalogs possess titles and descriptions of courses, helping students get a gist of their learning in college. They can compare courses and decide which university’s courses resonate with them the most.
Student life
There is a life beyond academics in university. Students must research options for extracurricular activities, like dancing, football, art, theatre, etc. Check whether the college has a gymnasium, swimming pool, and a library. The latter plays a crucial role because that is where students spend most of their time studying.
Additionally, some colleges have multiple awareness sessions, free yoga and aerobics classes, guest speaker sessions, etc. to help students grow professionally and personally. Therefore, research college websites to get a better idea.
What are the career opportunities after getting a degree in photography?
Here are some job options for photography majors after graduation:
Content producer
The responsibilities of a content producer revolve around creating digital content for advertisements, films, and television. Content producers discuss matters with clients before beginning the work to comprehend their requirements, manage the production, and discover techniques to portray ideas creatively.
Additionally, they edit and capture photos and videos for social media posts, e-newsletters, etc. Their work also includes collaborating with various teams like marketing for relevant and appealing content.
Video editor
Video editors are responsible for video production. They utilize sound, graphics, and video footage to depict stories fascinatingly. Moreover, video editors assist with storyboards, scripts, etc. They must work with editorial professionals for the creation of exceptional content. People and teamwork skills play a significant role in working alongside other professionals.
Also, video editors must use editing software and equipment to produce videos that speak to the directors, producers, and masses for more popularity and profitability (if that is the motive). The usage of equipment, software, and technical skills are taught in photography schools.
Photojournalist
The tasks of a photojournalist are to click photos by covering important events for newspapers, magazines, news, etc. They must capture the essence of pressing situations that speak to the masses. For this, it is crucial to possess knowledge and expertise regarding lighting, equipment usage, and cameras.
They also notice minute technicalities and editing of pictures to depict stories in the most relevant and aesthetic way. Usually, photojournalists work for the television industry and other media outlets.
Graphic designer
Graphic designers create content with specific software designed for graphic designing. They produce pictures that portray and attract people by incorporating relevant colors, print designs, fonts, and animations.
Furthermore, they produce designs and templates using relevant software and choose particular layouts for the desired result. Graphic designers, generally work with the creative team to create ideal designs for advertisement agencies and other companies.
Below is a list of photography jobs in the US with their average salaries per annum:
| Profession | Average salary per year |
| Photo technician | $42,005 |
| Camera operator | $42,524 |
| Photo editor | $49,965 |
| Photographer | $43,335 |
| Photojournalist | $39,564 |
| Photo retoucher | $53,207 |
| Video editor | $52,316 |
| Graphic designer | $50,656 |
| Content producer | $58,450 |
| Art manager | $66,019 |
How do you enhance your digital photography skills?
Students who enjoy clicking and editing photos and videos can polish their skills with practice. They can join online photography schools in the US too since professional photographers, or faculties, delve into similar theoretical and practical knowledge concerning photography.
The two aspects of improving photography skills are explained in detail below:
Practice
You must have heard the adage, “Practice makes a man perfect”. So, photography students can also enhance their knowledge and skills with sufficient practice. Also, there is always room for improvement; hence, students must never stop exploring new techniques, software, and styles.
You can practice by attending art shows, galleries, exhibitions, communicating with other photographers, etc. You can click photos at events and enlarge your networking community for more gigs and opportunities. Also, students can read about renowned photographers on the net to discover new techniques.
Degree in photography
If you are a photographer and do not possess a bachelor’s degree in photography, do not fret because there is no right time for college. Even though you do not necessarily require a degree in photography, studying photography in US colleges can do wonders for your career growth. Check photography colleges in California, Arizona, and others for more info.
Photography majors learn about editing, equipment usage, and technical skills like depth, tone, colors, etc. Moreover, clients are more readily convinced of gigs when photographers possess more knowledge than others.
List of colleges in the US for a bachelor’s degree in photography
The following list mentions photography schools in the US:
| College | Yearly tuition fee |
| Yale University | $67,250 |
| University of California–Los Angeles | $42,059 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | $61,564 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | $54,530 |
| University of Arizona | $37,355 |
| Arizona State University | $30,592 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $52,140 |
| University of New Mexico | $11,519 |
| Bard College | $65,614 |
| California Institute of the Arts | $52,850 |
Discover digital photography schools in the US for a successful career!
Taking and editing photographs is fun if your interest lies in it. With the rise in digitalization, people spend a lot of time using Instagram and TikTok to witness all sorts of content in the form of pictures and videos. That says a lot, right? Therefore, digital photography schools in Arizona, California, and other US states enhance students’ skills and knowledge for success.
Are you considering pursuing a digital photography degree? Research digital photography undergraduate programs in the US, and apply to colleges like California Institute of the Arts, University of California–Los Angeles, and Yale University. Their reputable photography faculties assist students with theoretical and practical knowledge regarding photography. So, wait no more and apply without further ado!