Do you have a passion for photography? Do you enjoy learning how to capture memories and moments on film or in digital medium? Our Photography Program can help you refine your photography skills to gain entry-level employment in the fields of artistic and commercial photography.
After completing our program and receiving your Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), we can help you prepare for an entry-level photography position or transfer your credits to a four-year institution or professional art school.
After earning your Associate in Fine Arts in photography, you can obtain entry-level employment in a variety of art and commercial applications.
Our Photography program is an ideal career path if you:
• Enjoy shooting photography and solving visual programs
• Possess an interest in the artistic, commercial and expressive use of photography
• Want to learn more about the history and esthetics of photography and art
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During your time at HACC, you’ll receive training in both artistic and commercial photography. If you already have a position in either of these fields, our program can help you grow your craft and advance your career. If you are new to the field, completing our program can help you obtain an entry-level job. It can also prepare you to get your bachelor’s degree in photography. You may need to complete an apprenticeship after graduation to secure a higher-level job.
Our passionate professors teach hands-on photography skills through critiques and lectures. See galleries of their innovative professional work here. You’ll gain the fundamental skills and techniques of traditional photography along with an emphasis in digital photography. You also can create and prepare photographic works in our state-of-art digital labs and traditional photographic studio. See galleries of premier HACC student work here.
Like Ollie Riley, a photography student at HACC, you will receive hands-on training, opportunities to showcase your artwork and learn from talented instructors. In this video, he shares his thoughts about our program. Additionally, his work and passion for photography turned into a trip to New York to receive an award at Carnegie Hall. This is what success looks like for a HACC photography student!
We prepare you to:
• Utilize the basic craft and esthetic principles of photography
• Apply acquired skills to both art and commercial photography
• Acquire knowledge of the history and esthetics of photography and art
At the end of the program, you will complete a photography and art portfolio that is needed to gain acceptance to a four-year college, university or professional art school. You also can use this portfolio during a job interview to display your skills.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accredits our Art programs. NASAD, a specialized accrediting agency for schools of art and design, is responsible for establishing curricular standards and guidelines for specific degrees and credentials. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes NASAD, and membership requires a peer review process of accreditation.
HACC has an exciting line-up of national and international art, design and photography exhibits, lectures and workshops each academic year. Visit the Rose Lehrman Arts Gallery for more information on the latest events.
Affordably YOURS, our programs give you flexibility to transfer to a wide variety of four-year colleges and universities with no loss of credit. However, each individual college has its own unique program. We encourage you to select a four-year school as soon as possible. This will allow you to learn the transfer college’s program requirements so you can take the proper classes at HACC.
Once you complete our Photography program, you can transfer to:
| Pennsylvania College of Art & Design: | Photography & Video (pdf) |
Helpfully YOURS, we offer our Photography program part time in the evenings and weekends, as well as on a part-time and full-time basis during the day. You may complete this program at Harrisburg Campus through on-campus/in-person instruction.
Yes! We offer many scholarships through the HACC Foundation. Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. To learn how to apply, please visit hacc.edu/Scholarships.
You can apply for the Photography program at anytime for spring, summer or fall classes. Please submit your application by visiting our website. When you submit your application, you should include the unique program code 2850 with your application. This will ensure you are applying for the correct Photography program.
Future students, we are excited to connect with you and answer your questions. Please choose the option that works best for you to meet with us.
Current HACC students, please contact our Advising Department with any questions.
“Scholarships represent one of the only viable options for the modern student to move forward without being held back by crippling debt…”
“HACC photography, and HACC in general, is truly one of the best buys in higher education. Your professors here have no other agenda than to help you as much as we can to be the very most compelling photographer and image maker possible.” – Ron Talbott, MFA, senior professor of art
View Transcript (pdf)