Fine Art Photography Option - Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA Option
Fine Art Photography Option
Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Overview
The fine art photography option prepares students for careers as visual artists, educators, editorial photographers, or freelance artists. Graduates are employed in a number of professional fine-art related institutions such as museums, archives, studios, and commercial galleries. The primary goal is to nurture the artist’s personal aesthetic vision through photographic expression. Studying the theoretical and practical skills needed to create thought-provoking and meaningful images develops technical, conceptual, and aesthetic abilities, and furthers students' goals as contemporary image-makers. This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA program.
The interdisciplinary curriculum enables students to explore other related fields in the fine arts, including painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic design, video, film, animation, printmaking and printing, computer graphics, and web publishing. Foundation and specialized courses include digital imaging workflow, alternative processes, new media, history and aesthetics of photography, and exhibition display.
Students have the opportunity to enroll in independent projects, educational internships, or co-ops in galleries, workshops, or other art and imaging centers. Students may choose to spend a year abroad earning credit in an applicable field of their choosing.
Career Opportunities in Fine Art Photography
Graduates find careers as exhibiting artists, photo educators, picture editors, art directors, photographers’ representatives, photographic archivists or curators, museum and gallery staff, multimedia specialists, self-employed photographers, custom-image printers, and film/video artists or animators. Many students choose to pursue graduate work and earn an MFA degree in the arts.
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.
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Industries
Careers and Internships
Typical Job Titles
| Archivist | Art Director |
| Artist | Conservator |
| Content Producer | Curator |
| Curatorial Assistant | Director of Education |
| Editorial photographer | Freelance Photographer |
| Gallerist/Gallery Manager | Lab Assistant |
| Magazine Editor | Professor/Teacher |
| Studio Manager/Assistant | Videographer |
Salary and Career Information for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Fine Art Photography Internships
Students apply for internships with some of the nation’s most respected galleries, museums, artists and workshop providers. They work behind the camera in editorial, commercial, and studio environments and have the opportunity to learn from photographers, picture editors, art directors, curators and other professionals. Students receive assistance from their professors and from the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education in identifying and applying for internships. Internships provide real-world work experience, which is an invaluable part of our students’ educational experience.
Featured Work
Fine Art Photography Gallery Show
RIT’s 2020 Fine Art Photography senior exhibition, “Not Far From Here,” is the culminating work of 13 artists, who employ a wide variety of mediums, techniques and ideas.
Global Photo Exhibitions
Alexandra Gataeva
The striking photos of Alexandra Gataeva, an RIT Fine Art Photography student, went on a summer vacation around the world in 2019. Several of her works were accepted into exhibits at...
Large Format Photography
Justin Scalera
Justin Scalera '19 (Fine Art Photography) had the unique opportunity to visually preserve one of Rochester's most historic, treasured sites for an independent study with professor Frank Cost...
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 specialty lenses to camera...
Alumni Profile: Sam Cannon
Sam Cannon ’14
Sam Cannon '14 (fine art photography) is a New York City-based artist and director who creates short-form videos for huge brands like Gap, Nike and The New York Times.
Class of 2021 Reflections
College of Art and Design Class of 2021 graduates share their favorite RIT memories and offer inspirational words for their peers.
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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September 8, 2021
![Joe Matty works in a darkroom.]()
Photo alumnus applies analog processes with contemporary spin
Joe Matty '21 made the darkroom his second home as a Fine Art Photography student at RIT. He is now furthering his research and photographic explorations in pursuit of an MFA.
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September 7, 2021
![An aerial view of the Kodak Quad on RIT's campus.]()
New leadership roles, faculty hires highlight changes in College of Art and Design
RIT's Schools of Art, American Crafts, Film and Animation, and Photographic Arts and Sciences are all under new leadership.
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April 15, 2021
![artist rendering of a lounge space with tables and chairs.]()
Renovation to RIT’s College of Art and Design is coming into focus
Renovation work inside RIT’s College of Art and Design—including key areas within the internationally recognized School of Photographic Arts and Sciences—is part of a five-year masterplan that has already begun to renovate, rejuvenate, and transform spaces to meet the growing demands for a college that serves as the university’s intersection of technology, art, and design.
