Photography & Video
We don't teach you how to make one kind of photograph - we encourage you to make the kinds of pictures you want to make, while we support you and “push” you to do your best work.
Client-driven photography. Documentary and News Photography. Fine Art Photography. Our rigorous photography and video curriculum will expose you to the traditional and modern aspects of the industry. You will immerse yourself in current practices, attitudes and competencies, ultimately developing your own artistic vision.
You’ll learn the history of your craft, then bring that knowledge into the 21st century by documenting social, aesthetic, and critical issues from your unique perspective.
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Best Colleges for Film & Photography
Danielle Sheerin ’12
our program
Why Photography & Video at PCA&D?
All our Photography & Video faculty are working professionals. They bring real-world experience into the classroom, helping you to shape your creative path and develop the practical skills needed in the industry. Our Photography & Video department is small — sometimes with as few as 13 students — so you’ll get personal instruction that is impossible at other colleges and universities. You’ll come to think of the faculty and your classmates as family.
You’ll work in our state-of-the-art Photography Labs featuring 3 darkrooms, a photo studio, computer imaging labs, and print lab – with equipment for digital imaging.
As a sophomore, you’ll focus on technical skill development. In your junior year, you’ll focus on idea and concept development. As a junior, you will receive a formal portfolio review, an important tool to help you determine areas or skills that need improvement. Your junior portfolio will contain a specific number of pieces that show proficiency across a number of processes, as well as a command of the formal language of photography and video.
From the day you enter classes, you will have opportunities to exhibit your work at special events – around the corner and around the world. Photography & Video students have exhibited in China and South Korea, and have engaged with students in South Korea and Abu Dhabi! And you’ll learn in the #1 best small city to live in the U.S., in a vibrant arts-rich environment with more than 125 galleries and creative spaces.
Na’Chelle Morris ’22
CHOOSE YOUR CONCENTRATION
During your time at PCA&D, you will work across digital, traditional, and experimental processes with studio electives in both commercial and fine art photography and video. Choose the career emphasis that matches your interests and strengths, as you build an extensive portfolio of professional work. As a student in this major, you will explore multiple aspects of photographic practice.
Client-Driven Photography will help you understand the image needs of business, popular culture, and design.
Documentary and News Photography will put you in the thick of newsworthy stories as they happen. You’ll understand the importance of portraying news stories fairly and accurately in order to preserve the culture.
Fine Art Photography will help you express your vision on contemporary issues or personal interests.
Customize your program
At PCA&D students have the opportunity to explore multiple interests by incorporating a minor or certificate into their major studies. Expanding your skill sets to cross disciplines will make you more appealing to future employers and broaden your potential career path.
Mark Shyshkovskyy ’23
Woodrow Clapper ’22
Kennedy Toomey ’22
I had a blast attending the Imaging USA Photo convention as a volunteer in Nashville, TN. While there, I had the chance to have my portfolio reviewed by renowned artists. I got to interact with professional photographers of all styles and backgrounds that I continue to connect with, all thanks to my Photography Chair for introducing me to the opportunity."
Meet the Experts
Professional photographers and artists are frequently invited to PCA&D — both on campus and virtually — so you can make connections with those who are working in the field. Past visiting photographers include Elinor Carruci, Victoria Sambunaris, Christian Patterson, Susan Lipper, Lois Conner, Molly Soda, A.D. Coleman, Lonnie Smith, and Len DeLessio.
Love a good podcast? Into the Darkroom, is hosted by PCA&D students. The podcast features artists who have visited for an artist talk or shown in our galleries, as well as professors.
Experiences
To Inspire
Exhibitions are frequently organized by faculty and PCA&D students. The Photography & Video Hallway Gallery gives students the opportunity to exhibit and curate shows of their work at that of their peers.
Art Markets provide a venue where you can display and sell your artwork or handmade goods to the community, giving you experience with the business side of the profession.
Field Trips are taken to gain exposure to the public face and inner workings of the world of photographers and videographers. You’ll visit places like Print Center and the PMA Print Study Room in Philadelphia, The Shadowlight Group in Leola, and Marketview Arts in Leola, PA. Students also take an annual trip to New York City.
Volunteering at events like the ImagingUSA Professional Photographers’ Association conference is also available to students.
Connecting with Others
LUX is the professional organization for photographers. You can choose to join the PCA&D chapter for perks like group shows, artist talks, and networking.
PCA&D-Zayed allows you to connect with students across the world through bi-annual prompts for the
Photography Exchange Blog is the PCA&D-Zayed Student Photography Exchange that connects students around the world through a cultural exchange of photograph collections. The project was founded and is curated by Prof. Yiannis Galanopoulos-Papavasileiou of Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Prof. Eric Weeks of PCA&D. Check out What’s Past Is Prologue.
Step Into Your Career
During your senior year, you curate and exhibit your own personal thesis as a final capstone exhibition as part of the annual Senior Show & Celebration. Here, you will showcase the pieces you’ve completed throughout your college career and develop a written thesis about your work. You will discuss your Senior Studio work and your thesis in a short Senior Artist Lecture in the College Atrium. This is a unique experience to PCA&D and prepares you for your future career.
Interships & careers
Where could your creative life take you?
Olivia Koziel ’23
Gain real-world experience! Photography & Video students are required to complete an internship the summer before their senior year. An internship gives you the opportunity to explore career possibilities in the photography and videography fields. If you have always admired a particular photographer or been drawn to a particular type of imagery or style, we’ll encourage you to contact that photographer or a professional working in that style and inquire about an internship. You’ll be surprised at how much knowledge you will absorb about the art and business of photography and video from working professionals in a few short months.
At PCA&D, you will learn to think independently, use materials and technology creatively, and stay motivated so that you can realize your dream. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% growth in employment for photographers between 2020 to 2030 and a 33% growth for videographers and video editors. Some of the careers available include:
- Advertising Consultants
- Art Directors
- Art Editors
- Bloggers
- Creative Directors
- Documentarians
- Fashion Photographers
- Industrial Photographers
- Multimedia Designers
- Photo/Video Editors
- Photo/Video Retouchers
- Photo Journalists
- Scientific Photographers
- Social Media Managers
where are Alumni now?
PCA&D students find work in a wide variety of fields and with prestigious companies and organizations nationally and all over the world.
Karim Gavins ’20 transforms Alumni Artist Residency experience into ‘Finding Karim’
Curiosity drove Karim Gavins ’20 to apply for PCA&D’s Alumni Artist Residency, and the result stretched not only their creative practice, but also the way in which their art impacts their everyday life: Giving new purpose to found materials. Using art as a means of maintaining health and exploring the
Department faculty
A faculty of working photographers
As experienced working professionals with strong ties to resources and opportunities in the field, your faculty assign competitive, real-world projects to enhance your portfolio with professional work well before you graduate.
Eric Weeks, Department Chair
Eric received an MFA from Yale University and a BFA from the School of Visual Arts. Eric has exhibited his photographs and videos internationally and in the United States. His work is in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography, Maison Européene de la Photographie, Bibliothèque Nationale, Yale University Art Gallery, and the Sir Elton John Collection, among others.
Emily Reifsnyder ’22
how to apply
Make your creative life, a way of life
While you’re still deciding on a school, go ahead and start an application, it’s free! Submitting an application isn’t a commitment to PCA&D but it helps us get to know you better. Or you can start by submitting 8-10 pieces of your art to help us assess your potential.