Photography Degree

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Lights, Camera… Action!

Video: Learn Photography at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Play Video about Video: Learn Photography at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

Photography is not all about cameras, lights, and tripods. Photography is about people. It documents life, captures history, and evokes emotions by telling stories through a photographer’s lens. A RMCAD Bachelor’s Degree in Photography can help you capture the dream of doing what you love for a living.

Photography Program Overview

As a Photography student at RMCAD, you’ll be immersed in the conceptual, practical, and aesthetic aspects of photography while learning the important technical, ethical, and professional skills necessary to succeed as a working photographer. The Photography Program allows students to thrive by encouraging ingenuity; innovation and resourcefulness, ultimately helping each student develop a unique and independent style.

Throughout the program, Photography students explore the relationship between photographers and the agencies and industries that rely upon the skills of professional photographers. You’ll perform in-depth research about industry leading professional photographers to gain inspiration and critical problem-solving skills that shape your overall artistic vision.

A photography studio with lights and an empty white wall
Photography program overview icon

Photography Program Highlights

Visual Storytelling

Students will develop a personal aesthetic that they apply to visual communication and storytelling.

Cinematography + Video

Students demonstrate cinematic processes through video narratives.

Post Production

Students critically evaluate photographic images to identify opportunities for enhancement.

Lighting

Students demonstrate the ability to intentionally apply the characteristics of light to images.

Professional Photography

Students apply ethical standards and professional practices in the planning and creation of photographic assignments and business operations.

Marketing + Business Operations

Students demonstrate business, communication and marketing skills while meeting real world-expectations.

Liberal Arts

The Liberal Arts curriculum is an exciting part of every student’s academic and creative journey at RMCAD. These courses provide the opportunity for students to engage with complex questions and ideas to develop critical thinking skills, a global consciousness, and awareness of art historical foundations that are essential for their intellectual, creative, and personal growth.

Global Consciousness

The curious engagement with communities, perspectives, and narratives that do not match our own offers the opportunity to see one’s personal and creative role in our local, national, and global communities. 

Critical Awareness

The willingness to ask questions and resist easy answers & simplistic dualities offers the opportunity to more clearly understand the complexity and multifaceted reality of history, creativity, and human communities. 

Information Literacy

The ability to read closely, critique freely, and seek additional verifiable information offers the opportunity to more holistically discern the veracity of the information that inundates our lives.

Credits pie chart for the Photography Bachelor of Fine Arts program. 54 credits in photography, 45 credits in liberal arts, 18 credits in foundations, and 6 credits in studio electives for a total of 123 credits.

Photography Degree Requirements

A camera all by itself doesn’t make a great picture any more than a typewriter can make a great novel. RMCAD’s photography classes are designed to not only help students develop the important technical photography skills they need, but our curriculum also covers the business aspects of photography. More importantly, it helps students develop the knowledge on how to create compelling portfolios that are a direct reflection of their unique vision!

* RMCAD offers classes year-round in both on-campus and online delivery formats. At RMCAD, we believe that online learning is an important part of the overall college learning experience. To provide students multiple scheduling options, diverse learning modalities, and experience in the virtual environment, all on-campus students are required to take part in online education.

Tech + Tools

A photographer must be equipped with the right tools. This doesn’t necessarily mean equipment. RMCAD’s Photography Program prepares students by teaching photography fundamentals such as:

  • Lighting
  • Digital imaging
  • Portraiture
  • Post-production editing

To make sure your photography education is more than just technical, RMCAD’s curriculum spans a broad range of courses that allow students to explore the more conceptual side of photography.

Photography studio light
Professional DSLR camera with telescopic lens

Photography Careers

In today’s very visual world, there are so many opportunities for talented photographers. Graduates with a RMCAD Bachelor’s Degree in Photography can pursue exciting careers like:

Potential Career Paths

Student Work + Success

Stories @ RMCAD

Photography Faculty

RMCAD’s faculty understands that the future of the world is sitting in their classrooms and shaping the next generation of photographers is not only a passion, it is a mission they take very seriously. You’ll experience the world of photography on many levels!

Photography Events

Photography has the ability to stop time for just a moment… take a moment and see what’s happening at our next event. 

Ready to Get Your Creativity in Focus?

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