Kick-start your career in the arts or blaze a new professional trail with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Digital Photography from Southern New Hampshire University. The online bachelor's program provides a strong footing in the technical skills of digital camera operation, lighting, and post-production image editing while refining your visual literacy and providing you with a foundation in the humanities all at a fraction of the cost of comparable programs.

"Earning your online degree at SNHU will afford you the opportunity to lay the foundation of being an expert in your craft, and have a deeper understanding of professional photography," said Colleen Vandenberg, photography faculty at SNHU. In addition to a solid grounding in the liberal arts, this unique online photography degree also delves into the business, social media, and brand-building aspects of the profession to help you differentiate yourself in a competitive marketplace. Throughout the program, you'll also develop a professional portfolio for both career advancement and personal fulfillment."

In SNHU's online BA in Digital Photography program, you'll learn how to:

- Market and advertise services to attract clients

- Analyze and plan the composition of photographs

- Use various photographic techniques and lighting equipment

- Capture subjects in commercial-quality photographs

- Enhance the subject's appearance with natural or artificial light

- Employ the latest photo-enhancing software

- Maintain a digital portfolio to showcase your work

Taught by industry-leading faculty, the bachelor's in photography is a great program for anyone looking to develop a strong grasp of the theory, practice, and history of photography. With 36 free electives, the bachelor's in digital photography is also a transfer-friendly program, allowing students to pursue other academic interests alongside photography. This could be an opportunity to dive further into areas like marketing, communication, or graphic design.

"The courses challenged me to be creative," said Susana Ellis '20. "Each class was fun and engaging with great insight from teachers." Our online photography program was designed to give you the advanced technical knowledge you need to succeed as an artist. You'll learn about Digital camera operation. By studying the ins and outs of your camera body and lenses, you'll learn how to move on from auto mode to take truly individual and creative photos. Lighting. See how the manipulation of light can affect the aesthetic of a photo, illuminating a subject while communicating emotion. Post-production editing. Explore the art of image editing in software such as Photoshop and Lightroom while gaining knowledge about key topics like color, resolution, and formatting."

"By learning how to manually control their camera, and harness the power of aperture and shutter speed, students can create images with intention," said Colleen Vandenberg, photography faculty at SNHU. "With a strong foundation of technical skills, the student will become free to push creative boundaries." On top of technical photography skills, our bachelor's in digital photography teaches you the vital business knowledge needed to establish and run a successful photography business."

Focusing on the legal, marketing, and entrepreneurial aspects of photography, you'll learn how to:

- Build a personal brand

- Copyright your work

- Develop contracts and release forms

- Set pricing structures and manage overhead costs

- Work with clients

But when it comes to running a successful photography business, you'll need more than core business knowledge. In this digital photography program, you'll also strengthen general skills and attributes that are considered necessary when working with clients.

These include:

- Accountability and professionalism

- Creative intelligence and problem-solving

- Flexibility, timeliness, and time management

- Teamwork and collaboration

- Written and verbal communication

Throughout the program, you'll be accumulating work through various assignments. While learning the technical aspects of photography, you'll enjoy a robust feedback process to enrich your learning experience. Engaging in peer and professional critiques of photographic work, you'll be preparing yourself for formal employment and contract interviews. SNHU now has one of the largest online photography programs in the country, so you'll be able to benefit from studying with and learning from a diverse group of students from all over. These critiques will be invaluable as you develop and curate your professional photography portfolio. In fact, the digital photography program culminates with a course dedicated to polishing your portfolio, providing you the opportunity to showcase your professional work. With the creation of both digital and print portfolios, you'll establish a branded identity as a working professional and artist.

"The classes have pushed my boundaries and allowed me to grow my skill set," said Saryn Christina '21. "I have gained a lot of self-confidence and knowledge," which she adds will lead to many new opportunities in the future.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)