Photography
Credit: Vian Esterhuizen, 4th Year Drawing, Nonutuple 01, photography: nine exposures on a single
frame of film.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Concentration*
Discover the technical, conceptual and critical skills to become a visually fluent, culturally aware photographer
| Type | Credits | Duration | Format | School and Department |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Fine Arts – Studio Art | 120 | 4 years, Full-time
| In-person, studio | School of Communication Design (SCD) |
| Secondary Concentration, BFA or BDes | 15 | 2 years (completed alongside primary degree |
At AUArts, photography is more than technique—it’s a lens on society, self and change. Explore analog and digital practices, studio lighting, experimental processes and fine art photography. Create projects that challenge conventions, tell stories and express your unique perspective.
Program Overview
AUArts' Photography program combines technical prowess, creative risk-taking and critical thinking. You’ll learn to see, interpret and shape the world through your lens, exploring traditional and emerging approaches to image-making across fine art, commercial and editorial photography.
Work with leading photographers and dedicated technicians in industry-level studios and labs, developing your visual voice as you explore documentary, portraiture, experimental and conceptual photography. Along the way, building a portfolio to launch your future practice.
Program Highlights
- Studio-driven learning: Intensive, hands-on practice in dedicated photo studios, darkrooms and print labs.
- Full-spectrum skill-building: Master lighting, post-production, analog, digital, and alternative processes.
- Critical engagement: Develop your point of view through critiques, research, theory and history.
- Professional preparation: Gain business, marketing and presentation skills to launch your career.
- Collaborative community: Work across disciplines; showcase your work in exhibitions, publications and online platform
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Photography program will:
- Create professional-quality photographic images across formats.
- Use lighting, composition and post-production to communicate powerful ideas.
- Confidently analyze and critique images across frameworks.
- Develop a cohesive, distinctive portfolio and visual style.
- Engage with contemporary photography across fine art, commercial, editorial and experimental fields.
Faculty
Our photography faculty are practicing artists and mentors who bring real-world expertise in fine art, documentary and experimental image-making.
Faculty
Studio Technicians
Alumni
Our photography alumni build impactful careers in the arts, media and design—sharing their vision in galleries, publications and global platforms.
Painting Alumni
"The photography course at AUArts has been the launching pad for my photographic practice. The instructors have incredible insight and know just how to push each individual student to create their best work. AUArts offers so many opportunities that are just waiting for you to take advantage of and these have really progressed my practice. It's a lot of work but completely worth it." - Katie Mountford, Photography major
"The Photography program at AUArts takes a hands-on approach to teaching students the technique, aesthetics and conceptualization skills needed to create a cohesive body of work that establishes our personal signature in every image. The courses are taught by working photographers. This gives us a real world perspective as they are guided in their investigations and development of in Art and Commercial practices." - Shuo Li, Photography major
Studio Facilities
Photography students have access to:
- Dedicated lighting studios with seamless Cyc Wall and advanced strobe systems.
- Hot light studio and natural light shooting spaces.
- Print lab with wide-format printers and soft-proofing stations.
- Film darkroom and digital labs.
- Equipment loan program, including:
- medium-format cameras, light kits, specialty lenses.
- Student run photo gallery.
Career Paths
AUArts Photography graduates thrive in a diverse visual world pursuing careers, or graduate studies, in media, design, curation, arts management and beyond.
Potential career opportunities include:
- Photojournalist
- Editorial, Fashion, or Fine Art Photographer
- Photo Illustrator
- Commercial/Advertising Photographer
- Studio Photographer
- Photo Editor or Retoucher
- Gallery Technician or Curator
- Visual Artist, Educator or Entrepreneur
Culture & Community
Photography is a community of observers, explaining the world through their lenses.
Beyond the classroom
- Work-Integrated Learning: Opportunities for internships and job placements with local studios, festivals or non-profits.
- Community & Events: Join student-run clubs, discord chats or attend on-campus events, visiting artist lectures and workshops.
- Awards & Scholarships: Receive financial support through scholarships, awards, paid call-for-submissions and funding for creative projects.
- Academic Resources: One-on-one faculty mentorship and access to technical support. Plus, full access to AUArts' Writing Centre, Luke Lindoe Library and Learning Commons.
About the Photography Concentration
The Photography concentration at AUArts immerses you in the art and craft of image-making, from digital to film and experimental processes. You’ll explore photography as both creative expression and critical practice, developing technical expertise alongside a personal visual voice. Through studio work, critiques and exhibitions, you’ll build the skills and confidence to share your vision across artistic and professional contexts. Graduates specializing in Photography will be visually literate, culturally aware critical thinkers and creative problem solvers adept at using photographic methods and techniques for advertising, artistic and editorial purposes.