The School of Photography at Academy of Art University will change the way you see the world. From day one, you will be immersed in the history, art, and science of photography. You’ll learn everything from how to tell a compelling story through images to the technical requirements for shooting in both natural and studio lighting environments.
Our faculty of professional educators are also working artists who will teach you the skills you need to pursue your passions in commercial, fine art, and documentary photography. Beginning with your first class, you’ll be creating a professional-level portfolio of work to help you pursue an exciting and fulfilling career.
Learn how to create images to support a story or to sell a product or idea. Commercial photographs are used for advertisements, articles, sales pitches, brochures, product placements, and more, across a wide range of industries.
Documentary
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Documentary photography chronicles people, events, and environments in order to tell a story, inform, and/or send a message. You will learn how to capture images that provide intellectual or emotional depth to the story you want to tell.
Fine Art
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As a fine art photographer, you will develop original and unique works of art from concept to exhibition. Fine art photography is usually very personal, revealing an artist’s depth in both concept and aesthetic, and is most often exhibited or published in book form.
Allied Skills
Jewelry & Metal Arts
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The School of Jewelry & Metal Arts teaches students techniques that range from traditional jewelry skills to the latest in laser, kinetics, mixed media, electronics, and 3D modeling. Photography plays a key role in documenting, assembling, and presenting final portfolios.
Fashion
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The costume design emphasis combines a rigorous sewing program with industry-specific design courses, preparing students to work in still photography, theater, and film. Students are given the opportunity to gain practical experience through collaboration with the Schools of Photography, Motion Pictures & Television, and Acting.
Fine Art
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A Fine Art education at Academy of Art University not only teaches you the fundamentals of the classical tradition, it prepares you for a successful career in the real world. The foundational skills of composing, designing, drawing, painting, and sculpting are applicable across all artistic disciplines, including photography.
Online Learning
Academy of Art University has been a bold leader in online art education for over two decades, blazing a path with innovative teaching methodologies and expertise in online delivery systems. Online classes in the School of Photography are particularly suited to the adventurous photographer.
Most asynchronistic online classes have a weekly “office hours” open session on Zoom for students to gather virtually in real time with their professor and classmates from around the world. This is a time to share work, exchange ideas, and learn new things.
Online has its advantages for working photographers and others on assignment. You can shoot on location and then log in to your class (on your schedule) and share what you have just shot. You can be in school while creating beautiful location images anywhere in the world.
What makes this internship so unique is that it’s a practical application of everything I’ve learned while pursuing my degree at AAU. The opportunity to work alongside industry professionals and further build off those skills and knowledge base in such a dynamic and demanding professional environment has been an invaluable experience.
