students using camera equipment

Commercial Photography - Program Details

In both the degree and certificate programs you will learn about various styles of photography as well as storytelling and video. Courses include digital imaging, visual arts, photographic solutions, lighting, and branding. You will learn the tools and processes needed to work in the creative field.

Hands-On Learning

Mt. Hood Community College’s commercial photography degree and photography digital assistant certificate give you hands-on experience that prepares you for photography careers. If you are working towards your degree, you will learn in the studio and on location how to light, compose, retouch, and edit photos. If you are working toward the certificate, you will learn the Adobe Creative Cloud software (Lightroom, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Acrobat), which teaches you how to prep image files for printing, prepare images for online display, and manipulate, retouch, and resize images.

Program Outcomes

After completing this program you'll be able to:

  • Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Collaborate effectively with others.
  • Demonstrate ability to adapt to changing technology.
  • Use effective oral and written communication.
  • Access and analyze information.
  • Demonstrate curiosity and imagination.

Courses and Curriculum

In these classes you will learn hands-on in the studio and on location about how to light, compose, retouch, and edit photos. The degree program will take 94-97 total credits to complete. The photography digital assistant certificate will take 41 credits to complete. Most general education requirements can be completed in any term. If you are working toward your certificate, you can continue into a second year to earn your degree, where you will build more advanced skills, including learning about digital video.

Explore the Course Curriculum

Your Future in Commercial Photography

With a degree in commercial photography, you will have the option of a career in photography, lighting, television, and more.

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