Key takeaways
- Some digital photography colleges in Kentucky include Bellarmine University, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Northern Kentucky University.
- Freelance photographers can earn up to $142,000 yearly, based on expertise and knowledge.
- The advantages of pursuing a digital photography college are accessibility to the latest technology and perpetual feedback from experienced professors.
- Graduates from photography colleges can become graphic designers, photojournalists, portrait photographers, and commercial photographers.
- Photography majors learn to click photographs, utilize software, like Adobe Photoshop, and implement photography practices in college.
- Bellarmine University is among Kentucky’s costliest universities for photography, whereas Northern Kentucky University is the most affordable.
- Northern Kentucky University has over 200 clubs and organizations.
With the rise in digitalization, the demand for professional photographers has risen. The masses hire them, especially celebrities, influencers, and bloggers for their Instagram, and other social media platforms. If you want access to celebrities and other popular personalities, consider digital photography colleges in Kentucky.
Furthermore, as per research, freelance photographers earn up to $142,000 yearly, and the field will grow from $109.83 billion to $161.82 billion by 2031. However, for a successful career, students need to hone their skills through professional feedback and access to the latest equipment, which photography undergraduate colleges provide.
If you want to explore a photography career, read this blog to learn about the advantages of an undergraduate digital photography degree, lucrative career opportunities, digital photography colleges in Kentucky, and other useful information for college planning. So, let’s begin!
What are the benefits of attending digital photography colleges in Kentucky?
A photography career is more than just taking photographs. There are several aspects that professional photographers must take into consideration, like choosing an area of specialization, polishing interpersonal skills, possessing high-quality equipment and resources, and being aware of technical and editing skills concerning photography.
All of the above is emphasized in digital photography colleges in Kentucky. If you are still doubtful about joining good colleges in Kentucky for photography, read the below factors:
Topnotch facilities and equipment
Photography colleges and universities in Kentucky possess top-notch facilities and resources, like labs, computers, software, texts, and other relevant equipment. Such resources may be unavailable to those learning digital photography skills online, like through YouTube videos, because many of them require a subscription.
Career counseling
Career counseling departments, in colleges for photography, guide students through their career choices. Counselors help photography undergraduate students find internships and jobs post-graduation. Moreover, they assist students with portfolios, resumes, and job interview preparation. In a nutshell, they provide students with clarity concerning their careers.
Professional feedback
Students learning digital photography skills, through online platforms, like YouTube, do not receive feedback from professional photographers. However, if you join one of the renowned photography colleges in Kentucky, you can benefit from constructive criticism and feedback from experienced professors.
With the help of constant feedback, students can develop and grow as photographers. Additionally, professors impart words of wisdom, concerning their photography experiences, helping students with their prospective professional lives.
Holistic and structured information
Colleges for photography have a structured way of passing on knowledge to students compared to online learning. They commence with introductory-level courses, finishing with advanced-level concepts.
Furthermore, students in photography colleges get exposure to different types of photography. For instance, portrait, landscape, photojournalism, and editorial photography. Besides that, students learn about relevant technical skills, techniques, and formats for editing photographs. Therefore, exposure to several kinds of photography and techniques, helps students decide which area of specialization they want to pursue.
Portfolio
Possessing an undergraduate degree from a photography college is beneficial, however, an excellent professional portfolio helps photographers with jobs and gigs. Consequently, clients check portfolios before choosing a professional photographer for their event.
Students in digital photography colleges in Kentucky receive guidance and advice, concerning their portfolios. Professors teach photography majors to include their outstanding and unique works. Additionally, photography colleges in Kentucky provide students with exceptional equipment and resources to polish their portfolios for professional development.
What are the career opportunities for graduates from digital photography colleges in Kentucky?
Do you know that professional photographers can travel around the world free of cost? That is because some clients have destination weddings or other out-of-city events. Hence, individuals, who find photography and traveling enjoyable, can transform their hobby into a successful career by pursuing photography colleges in Kentucky.
Graduates from photography colleges have several lucrative job opportunities. For instance, freelance photographers can earn up to $140,000, depending on their skills and expertise. The list below depicts career options for photography graduates:
- Family photographer
- Freelance photographer
- Portrait photographer
- Commercial photographer
- Scientific photographer
- Photojournalist
- Photo editor
- Wedding photographer
- Travel photographer
- Videographer
- Stock photographer
- Fashion photographer
- Clinical photographer
- Advertisement photographer
- Graphic designer
What are the common job responsibilities in the digital photography industry?
Being a professional photographer is not convenient. There are several details they must watch over, like keeping an eye on valuable equipment. The following list highlights some of the commonplace tasks of professional photographers:
- Understand clients’ instructions
- Click photographs
- Edit images using relevant software, like Adobe Photoshop
- Look after valuable equipment, like lens, tripod, and camera
- Manage props, background, and lighting
- Implement photography procedures and practices
Which skills are needed for jobs after studying at photography colleges in Kentucky?
Professors embed various skills within students like self-expression, creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Apart from these skills, professors impart theoretical and practical knowledge concerning photography. Some of the technical skills, taught in college, are mentioned below:
Usage of camera
Photography majors learn to utilize digital cameras to their full potential. They become aware of features like shutter speed, white balance, aperture, and ISO.
Composition
Professors impart knowledge concerning techniques like symmetry, rule of thirds, framing, and leading lines. Composition is crucial for the alteration of images into something spectacular.
Lighting
Lighting, artificial or natural, plays an integral role in ideal photographs. Hence, photographers must assess lighting situations and fix their camera settings suitably. For instance, they must consider the quality of light, intensity, and direction.
Color
Students learn how to experiment with colors, in colleges and universities in Kentucky, to produce aesthetic photos. Color theory is about comprehending how colors balance each other out and invoke feelings.
Focus
For clear photographs, students learn to utilize manual and autofocus modes. Professors discuss the importance of focus by explaining how holding breath and exhaling, before pressing the shutter, can make a huge difference.
Editing
In college, photography majors learn to utilize editing software, like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. They become familiar with tuning options like contrast, sharpening, exposure, and saturation.
What are the options for photography colleges in Kentucky?
Pursuing photography colleges in Kentucky benefits students with creativity skills, professional feedback, networking with other professionals in events, like exhibitions, and fruitful job opportunities.
If you want to transform your hobby into a successful career, read about the reputable photography colleges in Kentucky:
Northern Kentucky University
Photography at Northern Kentucky University assists students in the professional photography domain. The program helps students with various kinds of photography, like wildlife photography, photojournalism, and portrait photography. Moreover, the professors impart relevant photography knowledge to develop techniques and skills.
Furthermore, students learn to portray their emotions and stories through photographs uniquely. The university has top-notch facilities and resources, like labs with professional lighting, iMac computers, and dual bays. Besides that, students have access to exceptional digital cameras and photographic equipment, like Canon lenses, input tablets, printers, and tripods.
Photography courses include History of Art: Renaissance Modernism, Survey of Asian Art, Introduction to Studio and Location, and Digital Arts & Effects. Such courses discuss historical and cultural notions of photography, digital printing techniques, commercial photography, and more. Additionally, students grow personally and professionally through their 200+ clubs, like sports, choir, and mental health.
To be admitted to Northern Kentucky University, students must possess a 2.75 GPA. Additionally, the college’s acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Kentucky University
The Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Photography, from Eastern Kentucky University, aids with aesthetic, interpersonal, and technical skills concerning photography. Their renowned faculty members initiate with basic photography concepts, like utilizing a camera, uses of light, how to control depth, printing techniques, and other design elements.
Additionally, photography majors acquire skills and knowledge regarding color photography, editing software, like Adobe Photoshop, portfolio development, passing constructive criticism, and using studios. Eastern Kentucky University possesses high-quality resources and facilities like massive darkrooms, print dryers, tripods, storage lockers, lighting systems, and photo printers.
Furthermore, the photography courses include Digital Media, Photos, Black and White Film, and Photography, Color Digital. Consequently, students learn about 3D modeling, vector graphics, black-and-white photography, and file management. Besides that, students can partake in extracurricular activities, like aquatics, fitness, and adventure trips.
For admission, high school students require a 2.0 – 2.49 GPA; the acceptance rate is 98%.
Western Kentucky University
Earning a photography undergraduate degree, from Western Kentucky University, benefits students because of their top-notch facilities and experienced professors. Students can opt for a concentration in photojournalism and documentary or photography. The former emphasizes documentary video, visual business practices, and studio lighting. Whereas, the latter is about exploring different types of photography.
Furthermore, the reputable faculty members prepare students for job opportunities in various fields, like non-profit organizations. They help students think outside the box by engaging students in healthy debates and encouraging them to explore workshops, internships, and other educational opportunities.
Moreover, some photography courses include Fundamentals of Photography, Photojournalism, and Cultural History of Photography. The students investigate techniques like composition, lighting, storytelling through photography, portfolio development, and the relevance of photography since the beginning. Additionally, the college has around 350 clubs, like Greek and Recreation.
Western Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 96.9% and high school students need a GPA of 2.50 for admission.
Bellarmine University
Bellarmine University’s Art program provides undergraduate students with three areas of emphasis – photography, digital art, and painting. The esteemed faculty encourages students to think critically and creatively for the maximum utility of their potential. Additionally, students are provided with the necessary technology, equipment, resources, and atmosphere for professional and personal growth.
Their undergraduate photography program aims to instill concepts of visual design, craftsmanship, the historical background of photography, and how to portray emotions through photos. Some of the photography courses include:
- Three-Dimensional Design
- Art History: Ancient to Medieval
- The History of Photography
- Black and White Photography
- Studio Practices in Photography
Furthermore, the college has over 90 organizations and over 3000 events on campus. Students can explore extracurricular activities, like hockey and soccer. Additionally, Bellarmine University offers financial aid based on need and merit. To get admitted, high school students must possess a GPA of 2.5 and above.
Tuition fees of photography colleges in Kentucky
High school students must research expenses, for undergraduate college planning, like, accommodation, conveyance, food, and resources. However, they must begin by comparing the tuition fees of photography colleges in Kentucky.
The table below highlights the tuition fees, before and after aid, of colleges with photography degrees:
| Colleges | Average cost after aid | Average cost before aid |
| Northern Kentucky University | $6,087 | $25,140 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | $10,158 | $23,004 |
| Western Kentucky University | $12,329 | $25,448 |
| Bellarmine University | $19,753 | $63,060 |
Pursue photography colleges in Kentucky to stand out among the rest!
To conclude, photography colleges in Kentucky assist students with skills and knowledge like composition, color, lighting, printing, and comprehending different types of photography. The faculty members engage students in healthy discussions to enhance critical thinking and analytical skills.
Hence, to improve or develop photography skills, explore photography colleges in Kentucky, universities in Florida, and undergraduate programs in Colorado. Additionally, students unable to attend on-campus classes can explore online undergraduate colleges for photography. However, research data, trends, and other relevant info concerning undergraduate photography colleges before choosing a college.