Essential Information
Photography certificate programs are often offered at private and public colleges and universities, community colleges, design schools and trade schools. These programs typically require completion of 6-10 courses, and students gain significant hands-on experience with cameras and other technical equipment.
Photography Certificate Program
Coursework for a photography certificate program covers photography's technical aspects, such as figuring the aperture, shutter speed and depth of field. Students also study composition, lighting and other aesthetic aspects. Although professional-grade photography equipment isn't usually required, certain gear, like a tripod and a single-lens reflex camera, is often necessary. Required courses may include the following:
- Studio lighting
- Digital image management
- Commercial photography
- Digital editing
- Color and composition
- Portraiture
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that professional photographer is a popular occupation, so individuals can expect fierce competition within the field (www.bls.gov). The BLS reported that photographer jobs are expected to decline by 4% between 2019 and 2029. The declining demand of photographers is to due to the price drop of digital cameras and rising numbers of amateur photographers and enthusiasts.
As of May 2019, photographers earned a median salary of $36,280, according to the BLS. Freelance photographers tend to earn less than salaried photographers and also have to purchase and maintain their own gear.
Continuing Education and Professional Certification
For students who want to pursue their photography studies further, there are degree programs in photography at the associate's and baccalaureate levels. Professional photographers can demonstrate their photography proficiency by obtaining voluntary certification. The Certified Professional Photographer program (CPP) awards professional photographer certification to eligible applicants who study through the Professional Photographer Association (PPA) (www.ppa.com). To earn certification, applicants must pass an exam covering technical aspects of photography such as exposure, light metering, camera parts, composition and image capture. Additionally, applicants must submit photo samples for review.
Photography is a popular career, and gaining voluntary professional certification is one way to make sure you stand out in the job market. Those who are interested in becoming photographers should also look into photography certificate programs to gain a better understanding of the craft and may consider completing an associate's or baccalaureate degree program in the field.