Commercial Photography Certificate of Achievement

The Commercial Photography Certificate of Achievement provides students with the fundamentals of client-based digital photographic practices from a technical, administrative, creative and professional standpoint. Industry-level commercial photography camera techniques, experience utilizing professional photographic studio equipment, practice lighting a variety of subjects and engagement with contemporary editing and tethering software will provide students with the skillset to create their own portfolios demonstrating a personal voice. This certificate prepares students for a successful start working as a photographer for an organization or as a freelance photographer doing client-focused work. Students will learn and employ photography business, legal and marketing practices to ground their work administratively in a professional sphere. 

Based upon current enrollment in our photography courses, we predict that 15-20 students will complete this program per annum. Students can stack this certificate with Santa Ana College's AA in Photography and/or Certificate of Achievement in Photojournalism. 

The goal of this program is for students to acquire the necessary skills and technical expertise to either directly enter the workforce as an entry-level photographer for an organization or to successfully begin a freelance client-based photography business. 

The Photography Program, housed within the Art Department, considers it crucial to provide fundamental knowledge, technical and creative strategies for our students to achieve career success in the growing, competitive industry of commercial photography. 

With coursework in different genres of photography applicable to client-based jobs and classes that concentrate on commercial photography, this certificate provides competency in core techniques and practices while helping students create a contemporary portfolio expressing a personal vision. All courses are taught using digital, contemporary technology and industry-level equipment. 

This transcripted certificate, intended for students to directly enter the commercial photography workforce, will be useful for those who plan on working as photographers for an organization in addition to the entrepreneurial student who would like to develop their own client-based photography business. Students can pursue careers focusing on a variety of photographic genres such as portrait, product, architectural and event. 

Most courses are offered in online and hybrid formats.

Core Requirements: 18.5-19.5 Units 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
PHOT 180	Beginning Photography	3 Units	Y1
PHOT 185A	Landscape Photography	3 Units	Y1
PHOT 291	Wedding + Quinceanera Photography	3 Units	Y1
PHOT 194	Digital Workflow	3 Units	Y1
PHOT 196	Commercial Photography	3 Units	Y2
PHOT 191	Commercial Studio Business Practices	3 Units	Y2
PHOT 009	Photography Lab	.5-1.5 Units	Y1 +/or Y2

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Electives: 3 Units from one of the following courses 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
PHOT 160	Introduction to Photojournalism	3 Units	Y2
PHOT 292	Portrait Photography	3 Units	Y2
PHOT 150	History of Photography	3 Units	Y2
BUS 170	Principles of Small Business Management	3 Units	Y2
ART 195	Introduction to Digital Media	3 Units	Y2

The Commercial Photography Certificate of Achievement will be part of the Photography Program housed within the Art Department.

-Fullerton College offers a Professional Photography Certificate. -Orange Coast College offers Still Photography and Drone Photography Certificates. -Cypress College offers certificates in Advertising and Illustrative Photography, Creative Photo Arts, Digital Photography, Digital Photo Technician, Portrait and Wedding Photography, and UAV/UAS drone photography and video.

Based upon current enrollment in our photography classes and student interest, we anticipate 20 students will complete this program per annum.