Photography PHT

Holland Code: A (Artistic)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.

Arts & Literacy Basic English skills needed for essay writing and using social media. Good preparation for this program includes: Grade 12 Business and Technological Communication, Grade 11 or Grade 12 Communications Technology, and/or Grade 12 Media Arts.

Math Grade 11 or 12 Foundations for College Math is recommended preparation for this program. Students should know exponents, finding a square root, and basic trigonometry.

Technology Moderate computer skills required; photos are edited digitally. This is a mandatory laptop program.

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Artistic ability
• Ability to handle constructive feedback, photographs may be critiqued in front of the class
• Ability to visualize the finished product before its completion
• An appreciation of the composition and feel of visual images
• A desire to keep up with technological changes
• Able to work with others
• Able to meet strict deadlines
• Entrepreneurial skills required to be successful as a self-employed photographer

Useful background experience for this program would be

Involvement with a high school newspaper or year book committee and/or membership in a photography club.

What kind of work will I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Portrait, wedding, or commercial/product photographers; technicians, and assistants in small and large photography studios. Graduates may also pursue employment opportunities in other areas working as photography equipment retail or sales representatives, photo editors, print technicians, studio managers, photojournalists, and as forensic photographers with law enforcement, security or military agencies. They may also further specialize in areas such as photo manipulation, digital restoration, and compositing and video production.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Photographic studios, photo finishing facility, or from home as a freelance artist.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Working environments and hours, vary considerably
• Often are required to work evenings and weekends
• May be required to lift equipment weighing more than 20 kilograms

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Consult with clients or advertising staff and study assignments to determine locations and type of equipment needed
• Select appropriate equipment (for example, lenses, electronic flashes, reflectors) and props
• Set up equipment and adjust cameras for desired focus, exposure, composition and other settings
• Test and maintain all equipment
• Use specialized printers and paper processing or digital media as appropriate
• Use computers with appropriate software to process and manipulate digital images
• Use various techniques to re-touch images
• Arrange appointments and viewings
• Sell photographic equipment and supplies, images and related products such as picture frames and albums
• Processing, enhancing and retouching film and digital images

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

Professional Credentials and Affiliations associated with this program

• The Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC)
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Last Modified: January 22, 2024