Professional PhotographyCertificate

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Community of interest
Business, Cosmetology, Arts & Design
Award
Certificate
Program code
PROFESSIONALPHOTO.CC
Department
ARTX Skill Builders
CIP code
50.0605: Photography.
TOP code
1011.00 - Photography
(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) This certificate will give students an extensive and thorough expertise in digital photography. Through a series of in-depth demonstrations and lectures students address techniques of image capture, enhancement, and output such as RAW-file workflow and digital printing. Additionally, students will develop a basic understanding of the aesthetic, technical, theoretical, and conceptual issues related to artificial lighting and color management. Topics include the physical properties of light and shadow, continuous light and electronic flash, metering, studio lighting, location lighting, and color compensation. Assignments cover a range of subjects including portraiture, still life, and architecture. In addition to the technical and practical aspects of this certificate, students are expected and encouraged to develop a personal aesthetic and conceptual foundation for their work. This certificate is organized around a series of assigned exercises, projects and critiques and results in the creation of a photographic portfolio.
Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP

Program Snapshot

Community of interest
BCAD Business, Cosmetology, Arts & Design
Award
Certificate
Program code
PROFESSIONALPHOTO.CC
Department
ARTX Skill Builders
CIP code
50.0605: Photography.
TOP code
1011.00 - Photography

Next Steps

Map Class Schedule

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

Program Schedule ReportMeet with a counselor
Professional Photography
Certificate — expand to learn about this award

A short-cycle credential built around a specific skill or job role. Useful as an entry point to a field, a step toward a larger credential, or a way to round out an existing degree.

Financial aid note. Courses taken solely to complete a Certificate of Completion are not eligible for financial aid.

See the 2025-26 Catalog for official program details

Semester-by-Semester Map

Term 1

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

6 units
PHO 2
Introduction to Photography
3 units
course details

This course is an introduction to the processes, principles, and tools of photography. Topics include the development of technical and aesthetic skills, elements of design and composition, camera technology, materials and equipment, black and white film, darkroom skills, and contemporary trends in photography.

PHO 4
Beginning Digital Photography
3 units
course details

An introductory digital course presenting the origins and history of photography, camera and lens use, exposure, metering, printing procedures, print presentations, composition and standards of quality. Emphasis is placed on print quality along with content, composition and personal expression.

Term 2

Class Schedules

Pick a term:

Fall 2026Winter 2027Spring 2027Summer 2027

This will open the term course schedule not including GE requirements.

6 units
PHO 8
Commercial and Studio Photography
3 units
course details

This course introduces students to the basic aspects of commercial photography, including planning, production, and editing of images for a variety of applications including industrial, medical, technical, product display, architectural, portrait, food and fashion modeling. Students will also learn to use digital cameras and studio lighting systems to produce commercial quality photographs. Students will learn the basics of creating and editing images using studio lighting equipment, outdoor photography techniques and digital editing software to produce commercially ready photographs. Students will work with models, props and locations in the production of images.

PHO 15
Intermediate Digital Photography
3 units
course details

This course provides continued exploration in the advanced theories, vocabularies and techniques of digital photography. Emphasis will be on current issues in photography, portfolio development and advanced image editing and manipulation. Students will learn the basic theories of illumination and the utilization of a variety of light sources. Students will learn to manipulate color and black-and-white images, layers, special effects, photo restoration/colorizing, and filters to prepare images for print and web distribution.

Career Connections

2-Year Degree Paths

Entry points students may pursue after associate-level study, technical preparation, or licensure pathways.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset point cleanly to an immediate 2-year outcome for this program.

4-Year Degree Paths

Roles that more often open up after transfer and a bachelor's degree.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the 4-year pathway for this program.

Graduate School Paths

Advanced roles commonly associated with graduate, professional, or post-baccalaureate study.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the graduate-school pathway for this program.

Source Notes

Course sequencing is generated from the Acadia Program Mapper cache. Career groupings use local CIP-to-SOC mappings and BLS occupation data when available. Confirm education plans with Counseling and Advising.

No NCES/IPEDS CIP-to-SOC mapping was found for this program's CIP code.

Last generated 2026-06-12T23:25+00:00