Skip to main content

Photography

If you enjoy viewing life through a camera lens, a degree in photography could help put your future in focus.

Founded in 1965, our photography program is an intensive two-year study of visual communications. You’ll learn the fundamentals of lighting, composition and visual storytelling; practice your artistic and technical skills in studios and technology labs; and explore current trends and career opportunities in photography and digital media production. The program includes opportunities to interact with industry professionals through field trips, guest speakers and cooperative work experiences.

Whether you want to start your own photography business, work in journalism or join an in-house marketing and communication team, this program can help you transform your passion into a successful career.

What You’ll Learn

  • Demonstrate business skills to successfully enter the profession
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating creativity and storytelling skills
  • Apply interpersonal skills to work in industry
  • Develop the technical skills required to complete projects
  • Develop the post-production skills required to create portfolio quality still photography and video productions
  • Apply research skills to assess current trends in the profession
  • Develop written communication skills necessary to be successful in their chosen career

You and your advisor will use this program map as a starting point to create a personal education plan customized to your needs. We meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Need more details? Check out the requirements for this AAS degree in Photography. Course descriptions and course learning outcomes can be found in our online catalogue.

Program Map for

Print/Download

Choose program map:

Total Credits: 90

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PHOTO 101
Introduction to Photography
5
PHOTO 126
Digital Photography
5
Choose 1 course from:
BT 107
Business Communications
5
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
JOURN 220
Introduction to News Writing
5
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PHOTO 111
Studio Photography I
5
PHOTO 234
Digital Photography II
5
Choose 1 course from:
ART 105
Color and Design
5
PHOTO 120
Photographic Arts
5
Total Credits
 
15

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PHOTO 112
Photographic Design
5
PHOTO 121
Location Photography I
5
Choose 1 course from:
ACCT 140
QuickBooks
5
BUS 123
Practical Business Math Applications
5
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PHOTO 200
Photography Media
5
PHOTO 232
Portraiture
5
Choose 1 course from:
CMST& 101
Introduction to Communication
5
CMST& 210
Interpersonal Communication
5
MMGT 125
Social Media Marketing
5
PSYC& 100
General Psychology
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MMGT 128
Social Media Marketing Campaign
5
PHOTO 227
Business of Photography
5
PHOTO 231
Studio Photography II
5
Total Credits
 
15

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PHOTO 225
Portfolio Development II
5
PHOTO 233
Location Photography II
5
PHOTO 266
Cooperative Education Seminar
1
PHOTO 267
Cooperative Education Work Experience
1
Choose 3 credit from:
ART 189
Printmaking
4
PHOTO 235
Nature and Landscape Photography
3
PHOTO 236
Photography Workshop
1
Total Credits
 
15

Maximum estimated costs for completing this program

  • Tuition

  • Resident

    $
    9,306
  • Non-Resident

    $
    11,485
  • International

    $
    21,215
  • Books

    $
    631
  • Course Fees

    $
    406
  • Institutional Fees

    $
    1,519

  • The amounts listed for tuition and lab & course fees reflects a maximum estimated cost and may be lower based on courses selected.
  • The amount listed for books is a maximum estimated cost based on the price of new textbooks purchased during the previous school year. Costs may be lower based on student choices and availability (used books vs new, rental vs purchase).
  • For more information about costs, visit our page How Much Does It Cost?

  • Heather Bellerud
    Heather Bellerud
    VPAA Pathway Specialist
    Heather.Bellerud@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3195

  • Ashley DeMoville
    Ashley DeMoville
    Dean Visual/Perform Arts
    B.A., University of Hawaii; M.F.A., Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand; Ed.D., University of Southern California
    Ashley.DeMoville@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3339
  • Alex Dew
    Alex Dew
    Photography Instructor
    B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison; M.A.; American Film Institute; M.A., Eastern Washington University
    Alex.Dew@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3156
  • Ira Gardner
    Ira Gardner
    Photography
    A.A., Spokane Falls Community College; B.A., Eastern Washington University
    Ira.Gardner@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3728
  • Collin Masteller
    Collin Masteller
    Instr & Class Supp Tech1
    Collin.Masteller@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3181
  • Katie Peterson
    Katie Peterson
    Cbe Instructional Tech
    Katie.Peterson@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-4181
  • Melissa Rackham
    Melissa Rackham
    Instructor
    B.A., Eastern Washington University; M.F.A., University of Memphis
    Melissa.Rackham@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3726
  • Erik Sohner
    Erik Sohner
    Photography
    A.A.S., Spokane Falls Community College; B.A., Brooks Institute; M.F.A., Academy of Art University; Additional Studies: Eastern Washington University, Dakota County Area Vocational Technical Institute
    Erik.Sohner@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3832

A person is digitally editing a photograph on a computer.

SFCC students who complete the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Photography have the following transfer opportunities:

  • the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography at Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University, in Portland, Oregon. Please be sure to meet with your advisor to take recommended courses for this transfer option.
  • the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Management at Spokane Falls Community College. For more information about this degree, click here.

Upside-Down Degree Options

An upside-down degree allows a student to transfer their AAS degree to a baccalaureate institution. The colleges below have “upside-down” articulation agreements in place. For more information, click the following links:

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Erik Sohner

Program Lead
Erik.Sohner@sfcc.spokane.edu

Heather Bellerud

Pathways Specialist
Heather.Bellerud@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3195
Building 15, Room 106