Photography
Discover more about the Photography B.F.A. Program and find out about program requirements, courses and the program faculty.
Career Possibilities
The following is a list of some career possibilities that students in this major might find rewarding. Remember, that your major does not necessarily determine your career. Graduates use their academic majors in a variety of professional fields. The options below can be used as a starting point to explore potential career paths, however, you may also want to investigate more using recommended resources to gain a more comprehensive list of careers. Keep in mind that additional education, training, and experiential education beyond your major may be needed to pursue these possibilities.
Acquired Skills
- Ability to communicate emotions and ideas creatively
- Proficiency for accuracy and detail
- Ability to accept/give criticism
- Ability to operate various tools and equipment
- Aesthetic judgment and sensitivity
- Ability to make keen observations and appropriate decisions
- Analyze composition and style
- Analyze meaning and subtexts
Career Titles
- Art Director
- Corporate Photographer
- Digital Artist/Photo Retoucher
- Documentary/Travel Photographer
- Editorial Photographer
- Event Photographer
- Fashion Photographer
- Fine Art Photographer
- Film/Video Production Still Photographer
- Gallery Assistant
- Medical/Science Photographer
- Photojournalist
- Photo Archivist
- Photo Editor
- Photo Researcher
- Photo Technician
- Photographer’s Assistant
- Portrait Photographer
- Product Photographer
- Professor/Teacher
- Stock Photographer
Types of Organizations that Hire
- Advertising Agencies
- Hospitality/Travel
- Magazines/newspapers/publishing
- Fashion Industry
- Media Organizations
- Corporations
- Museums/Cultural Institutions
- Colleges/universities/schools
Career Information and Professional Association Links
Buzzfile - Employers of Photography majors
Professional Photographers of America
International Center of Photography
North American Nature Photography Association
National Press Photographers Association
American Society of Media Photographers
American Photographic Artists (formerly Advertising Photographers of America)
Women in Photography International
Center for Photography at Woodstock
Photo.net - A community of photographers
Self Employment in the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
Occupational Outlook Handbook Online - Job type descriptions, job growth forecasts, and salary information
Job Search Links
Career Development Center -Log into Purchase JobScore to access jobs posted for Purchase students and alumni
Communication Arts - Site for the professional creative marketplace
Mediabistro - Career and community for media professionals
Idealist - Non-profit and arts internships and jobs
Indeed - Photography jobs on Indeed
Aperture - Internships with Aperture Foundation
ICP - Internships and opportunities with the International Center for Photography
Additional Resources Available at the CDC