Advertising Photography Option - Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA Option


Advertising Photography Option
Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
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School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
Overview
The advertising photography option prepares students for diverse and rewarding careers in the field of visual communications. While encouraging and nurturing students’ individual image-making practice, students learn to create photographs and moving media for a wide range of commercial use in today’s fast changing media environment. This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA program.
The option provides flexibility and specialization within the course curriculum, providing students with a broad overview of the field. Advanced courses allow students to explore a variety of commercial specializations from traditional still life and portraiture, to interdisciplinary courses that model real world team collaborations with graphic designers, new media artists, industrial designers, and computer scientists. This flexibility also enables students to take elective courses from other departments across the university, in majors as diverse as graphic design, visual culture, philosophy, or fine art, in order to enrich their personal visual expression. Within the curriculum, advertising photography students study the inner workings and business aspects of the photographic and imaging industries. In an ever-growing global market, the school encourages and offers many study abroad opportunities for students.
The faculty consists of both full- and part-time professors—all of whom continue their personal photo arts practice and have extensive commercial experience as professional photographers. Students work collaboratively to conceive and execute camera-based work that is both cutting-edge and strategic. Along with conventional print-based imagery, students may also work in moving media, emerging and interactive technologies that have real-world application in the commercial industry. Students build a strong professional portfolio throughout their time in the program.
Career Opportunities in Advertising Photography
A significant number of graduates become self-employed freelance photographers working all over the country. They also work at advertising agencies and magazines as producers and picture editors. Companies hiring our graduates include Saks Fifth Avenue, Conde Nast Publications, Martha Stewart Living, Neiman Marcus, and many others.
Creative Industry Day
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Day, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. The 2021 Creative Industry Day will be a week-long virtual event where you’ll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.
Apply by January 20 for Fall 2021
Get your freshmen application in and get a decision by mid-March
Find out what amazing looks like.
Deep dive into academics, financial aid, co-op, student life, and more.
Typical Job Titles
Advertising Photographer | Architectural Photographer |
Art Director | Art Producer |
Artists’ Agent | Editorial Photographer |
Entrepreneur | Fashion Photographer |
Food Photographer | Image Retoucher |
Photo Editor | Portrait Photographer |
Prop Stylist and Videographer | Sports Photographer |
Still Life Photographer | Studio Manager |
Studio Photographer |
Experiential Learning
Advertising Photography Internships
Students participate in internships with some of the nation’s most respected professional photographers, advertising and design agencies, magazine publishers, photography agents, equipment rental, and production services. Working in a variety of commercial and studio environments, students have the opportunity to learn from photographers, picture editors, art directors, and other professionals. In collaboration with their professors and the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, students identify and apply for relevant internships, which provide real-world work experience that becomes an invaluable part of students’ educational experience.
Explore salary and career information for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Featured Work
Portrait Photography Light
Students
Below is a selection of images created by Advertising Photography and Visual Media students for their final assignment in senior lecturer Clay Patrick McBride's Lighting Control and...
Portfolio Development
Fourth-year students in Senior Lecturer of Advertising Photography Clay Patrick McBride's Portfolio Development class were tasked with using string as their subject matter for an...
Life During Social Distancing
Fourth-year students in Senior Lecturer of Advertising Photography Clay Patrick McBride's Portfolio Development class were challenged with making up to four images representing "life during...
Featured Profiles
Industry-standard Photography Equipment
RIT's School of Photographic Arts and Sciences Cage is an unparalleled checkout space housing a range of photography equipment you won’t find anywhere else. From speciality lenses to camera...
Unmatched Photo Studios
With 28 photo studios and a well-stocked equipment cage designed to support studio needs, RIT's School of Photographic Arts and Sciences students have access to all the necessary resources to execute...
Professional Photo Print Lab
Students, faculty and staff can make professional-quality prints from the images they create in the RIT School of Photographic Arts and Sciences' Imaging Systems Lab (ISL). Inkjet and Lambda...
Admission Requirements
This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA. Please visit the degree program page for admission requirements.
Learn about admissions, cost, and financial aid
Latest News
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December 17, 2020
Multi-million dollar photo renovation set for summer 2021 completion
The $3.5 million project includes state-of-the-art editing labs and major upgrades to the student lounge and photography equipment cage.
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November 16, 2020
Holiday animation special by alumnus set for Netflix premiere
"Alien Xmas," a 40-minute stop-motion animation special directed by Stephen Chiodo '76 (Professional Photographic Illustration), premieres Nov. 20 on Netflix.
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October 29, 2020
Students, community team up to change narratives around addiction
A one-credit workshop allowed RIT students to examine ways of sharing more accurate depictions of a complex topic. The class culminates in an exhibition that opens Nov. 5.