Photojournalism Option - Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA Option
Photojournalism Option
Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Overview
The photojournalism option teaches students to produce non-fiction visual reporting that tells the stories of people, social issues and events for diverse and modern media outlets including digital and print. Students learn to create and publish both still photographic reporting as well as moving and interactive media that document our diverse culture, evoking both the momentous and the everyday circumstances of contemporary life and society. The photojournalism option allows flexibility and individual specialization where students can find their primary interest. Students take required courses in photojournalism fundamentals, picture editing, and multimedia, including sound, video gathering, and video editing. This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA program.
Students then may choose to take extra courses in an area in which they want further specialization, including picture editing, still photojournalism field-work, or multimedia storytelling. Students contribute to the creation of special publications centered on community activity and awareness, and provide staff support to RIT’s student-run magazine, The Reporter. Students also have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., and New York to meet with potential employers that represent the wide spectrum where photojournalists currently work.
Career Opportunities in Photojournalism
Photojournalism graduates go on to work for some of today’s leading digital publications, newspapers, and magazines. They're also recognized for their outstanding work. Eleven alums have won a combined 15 Pulitzer Prizes for their work in visual journalism.
A significant number of graduates also become self-employed freelance photographers, who seek freelance assignments with news organizations, picture agencies, non-profits, stock photo agencies, and as editorial photographers. Many graduates also are employed as picture editors, website producers, content curators, and television or multimedia editors.
National Press Photographers Association
Photojournalism students are the driving force in the school's National Press Photographers Associate (NPPA) student chapter. Students regularly attend activities sponsored by the NPPA, including regional and national conferences. The chapter manages a yearly contest of student work that is judged by alumni who also share their experiences in photojournalism and review student portfolios. The chapters also hosts guest speakers. The RIT student chapter was awarded the nation’s top chapter by the NPPA in 2016.
Undergraduate Viewbook
The College of Art and Design is RIT’s intersection of technology, the arts and design — where creativity and innovation are boundless.
School of Photographic Arts and Sciences Brochure
With focuses on both art and science, our programs take photography to ambitious levels .
Industries
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Director of Photography | Multimedia Editor |
| Multimedia Journalist | Multimedia Producer |
| Photojournalist | Picture Editor |
| Picture Researcher | Visual Archivist |
Salary and Career Information for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Photojournalism Internships
Students apply for photojournalism internships with some of the nation’s most respected newspapers, websites, and magazines as both photographers and editors. They work collaboratively on a variety of stories and have the opportunity to learn from photographers, editors, and other professionals in the newsroom. Students receive assistance from their professors, as well as 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 students’ educational experience. Cooperative education experiences and internships are designed for your success.
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. You'll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.
Featured Work
Capstone Experience
The RIT Photojournalism capstone experience is a year-long experience where seniors research, develop and execute an in-depth story. Main photo by Eakin Howard '21.
Photo Editing Project
This compilation of past Photojournalism student work was gathered and edited by seven former students in the program.
Event Photography
Photojournalism students annually document the excitement of the Imagine RIT Creativity + Innovation Festival, receiving the meaningful experience of covering a large event on deadline.
Featured Profiles
Photojournalism Capstone Project
Julia Popowych ’21 (Photojournalism) details her capstone project experience, which culminated in a documentary about K-12 learning during COVID-19. The Photojournalism senior capstone project is a...
Multimedia Storytelling
As a photojournalist for a major daily newspaper, David Wallace ’01 Photojournalism Option (Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA) has produced compelling stories honored with prestigious awards.
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...
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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July 19, 2022
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Meet the summer fellows who are helping our newsroom change how we cover Rochester
The Democrat and Chronicle features its 2022 Revising the Rochester Narrative summer fellows: Genae Shields '22 (photojournalism); Madeline Lathrop, fourth-year journalism student; and Justice Marbury '22 (photojournalism).
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April 26, 2022
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First graduates from RIT’s partner charter school poised to receive their RIT degrees
A trio of trailblazing students who came to RIT from the university’s partner charter school will fulfill a long-term promise when they receive their college degrees at commencement this May. Zaid Abdulsalam, Ismael Cortes Jr., and Justice Marbury were among the first students to enroll at Rochester Prep High School, and they were the three students from the first graduating class in 2018 who chose RIT as their destination.
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April 12, 2022
![A group of students and instructors look at high-tech studio photography equipment.]()
Photography students explore cutting-edge technology in expert-led workshop
Senior Lecturer Clay Patrick McBride teams up with photography virtuosos Dave Gallagher '91 and Scott Nidermaier to offer a one-credit course focused on innovative digital technician workflows.
